WHO YOU’LL WORK WITH
Nike’s Technology Procurement team manages the hardware and software categories that power Nike’s digital and physical experiences. This Principal reports to the Director, Procurement, Technology and partners with Global Technology, Tech Finance, Legal and Sourcing. The team is small, ambitious and building a category-led, AI-enabled procurement model.
WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR
Nike is looking for a Principal, Category Management who can turn technology spend into enterprise value. This person pairs market intelligence with business insight to shape demand, define category and supplier strategies, and build a prioritized pipeline before sourcing begins. They bring deep category management experience across hardware and software, supported by strong sourcing, negotiation, commercial and financial acumen. They are curious, persistent and comfortable navigating ambiguity, bringing structure where a playbook does not yet exist.
As a trusted advisor, they build strong stakeholder partnerships and focus on measurable business value, not simply savings. They also use artificial intelligence tools such as Microsoft Copilot to sharpen analysis, accelerate research and improve deliverables. This is a strategic category leadership role for someone who wants to own a portfolio for the long term and raise the bar for the team.
The candidate will bring:
- Bachelor’s degree in Business, Supply Chain Management or related field. Will accept any suitable combination of education, experience and training.
- 8+ years of experience in technology category management and strategic sourcing, with category management as a primary focus.
- Proven success building category strategies and negotiating complex, multi-year agreements across hardware and software, including infrastructure and artificial intelligence.
- Strong commercial and financial acumen, plus hands-on use of artificial intelligence tools such as Microsoft Copilot for analysis, research and deliverables.
- Professional procurement certification such as Certified Professional in Supply Management (CPSM) or Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply (CIPS) preferred.
WHAT YOU’LL WORK ON
You’ll own a portfolio of technology hardware and software categories end to end. You’ll partner with leaders who rely on your judgment, set the long-term strategy for how Nike buys technology and help shape how a modern, AI-enabled procurement team works.
- Develop and maintain hardware and software category strategies, bringing together spend and demand insights, supplier landscape assessments and buying channel recommendations.
- Lead stakeholder engagement and category planning with Global Technology and Tech Finance to align priorities, manage demand and support business objectives.
- Build and prioritize the sourcing pipeline, then partner with the Sourcing team as initiatives move into competitive events, negotiations and contracting.
- Define supplier strategies and own strategic supplier relationships across infrastructure, artificial intelligence and enterprise software, holding partners accountable throughout each agreement.
- Track market shifts, pricing models and emerging technology, especially artificial intelligence, and turn those insights into leverage and options for Nike.
- Prepare clear, leadership-ready recommendations and category updates for senior executives.
- Use artificial intelligence tools to analyze contracts, benchmark pricing and move faster, while helping the team grow by sharing playbooks and testing new ways of working.
We offer a number of accommodations to complete our interview process including screen readers, sign language interpreters, accessible and single location for in-person interviews, closed captioning, and other reasonable modifications as needed. If you discover, as you navigate our application process, that you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, please complete the Candidate Accommodation Request Form.
Skills Required
- Bachelor’s degree in Business, Supply Chain Management, or a related field, or a suitable combination of education, experience, and training
- 8+ years of experience in technology category management and strategic sourcing, with category management as a primary focus
- Proven success developing category strategies and negotiating complex, multi-year hardware and software agreements
- Experience across infrastructure and artificial intelligence categories
- Strong commercial and financial acumen
- Hands-on experience using artificial intelligence tools such as Microsoft Copilot for analysis, research, and deliverables
- Professional procurement certification such as CPSM or CIPS
Nike Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Nike and has not been reviewed or approved by Nike.
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Retirement Support — A 401(k) with a company match is complemented by options such as a Mega Backdoor Roth and deferred compensation for eligible earners. Financial coaching and structured savings programs support long-term financial security.
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Equity Value & Accessibility — An Employee Stock Purchase Plan with a stock discount sits alongside broad-based equity vehicles like RSUs and non-qualified stock options. These avenues expand wealth-building opportunities beyond base pay.
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Parental & Family Support — Paid parental leave includes maternity and paternity time, recently expanded in the U.S. to 16 weeks and extended to part-time retail teammates. Additional supports include childcare assistance at select locations and family-building benefits such as fertility, surrogacy, and adoption.
Nike Insights
What We Do
At NIKE, Inc., we innovate to serve athletes*. Every teammate - from coder to creator - plays a role in making these athletes’ dreams real. Our tech, data, and digital teams push limits every day, building the future of sport and the tools that drive it. Here, curiosity is fuel. Innovation is the game plan. Different perspectives keep us on the offense. You’ll solve challenges worth tackling, grow fast and belong to a team that backs you to do the right thing. Bring your drive. Bring your bold. Let’s move the world, together. Take your first step at nike.com/careers * If you have a body, you’re an athlete.
Why Work With Us
At NIKE, Inc., your dedication fuels the future of sport. There is a sense of pride that comes from representing an iconic brand and shaping its future. Here, we treat every day as a new opportunity to push boundaries, ask tough questions and share whole-hearted convictions. We are a team – united by the belief that anything is possible.
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