Sourcing Category Manager

The driving force behind our success has always been the people of AspenTech. What drives us, is our aspiration, our desire and ambition to keep pushing the envelope, overcoming any hurdle, challenging the status quo to continually find a better way. You will experience these qualities of passion, pride and aspiration in many ways — from a rich set of career development programs to support of community service projects to social events that foster fun and relationship building across our global community.

The RoleThe Global Category Manager is responsible for developing, driving and executing cross-functional category strategies for third-party software globally. This role serves as the primary commercial expert for the assigned category, providing deep market insights and facilitating strategic sourcing initiatives that align procurement strategies with business objectives. The Global Category Manager is responsible for managing supplier relationships, ensuring continuity of supply, and influencing key stakeholders across Emerson’s SYSS global operations and multiple Business Units. Additionally, this role ensures that all software solutions meet stringent security and compliance standards. Success in this position is measured by the ability to drive cost optimization, mitigate risks, and foster innovation and collaboration.

Your Impact

• Drive category strategies aligned with business goals and market dynamics that deliver cost savings, innovation and strategic value.
• Identify and lead direct procurement activities for SYSS global and regional software categories, including sourcing, contracting, supplier qualification, and lifecycle management.
• Conduct comprehensive market, supplier, and spend analyses for assigned categories and region(s) to anticipate industry trends, pricing shifts and manage supply risks. Recommend optimal supply base strategies for assigned categories and regions.
• Partners with Technology, Product Marketing, Supply Chain, Software Quality, Finance, Legal, World Area Operations, and Regional Proposal/Project teams to identify business needs, savings opportunities, process improvement and regulatory compliance requirements.
• Collaborate with suppliers and internal stakeholders on next-gen New Product Introduction (NPI), portfolio transition, roadmap alignment, lifecycle transitions, and last-time buy strategies to ensure continuity and innovation.
• Lead qualifications of new suppliers and foster innovation through strategic partnerships and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Manage strategic supplier relationships and performance at all levels of the company, including regular business reviews and performance evaluations to ensure alignment with stakeholder requirements.
• Report on key performance indicators (KPIs), Strategic Sourcing plans, and progress to senior leadership. Deliver clear, data-driven presentations and recommendations.
• Lead contract negotiations with third-party software suppliers, ensuring favorable terms and risk mitigation. Work closely with Emerson Legal and internal stakeholders to review and finalize agreements aligned with business needs.
• Collaborate with royalty and software distribution teams to ensure compliance with licensing terms and regulatory requirements.
• Assesses internal and external processes for improvement, champions strategic priorities and leads change initiatives that enhance procurement effectiveness and agility.

What You'll Need

• Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited university
• Graduate degree a plus
• 8 to 10 or more years’ experience in supply chain, procurement, strategic sourcing, technology or a related field Languages: English – Advanced/professional proficiency required; Multilingual skills are a plus
• Technology skills: Proficiency in: Microsoft 365 core applications, ERP and Source-to-Pay tools, internet research, data analysis tools (i.e. Power BI, Tableau) and cost benchmarking and research tools.
• Must be capable of engaging and influencing senior and executive management both internally and externally through effective communication and presentation skills.
• Proven ability to influence cross-functional stakeholders
• Must be able to skillfully apply contract expertise, as it pertains to software supply chain, to develop and negotiate effective supplier agreements.