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 Regional Category Manager supports the development and execution of cross-functional global category strategies within the assigned region(s). This role supports strategic sourcing by building deep regional market insights and creating strategic sourcing plans. The Regional Category Manager also oversees strategic supplier relationships within the assigned region(s) where they serve as Emerson’s primary commercial expert for the Software Category.

Your Impact

• Collaborates cross-functionally to identify and support new business needs, cost-saving opportunities and process improvements.  Key stakeholders include Technology, Product Marketing, Supply Chain, Finance, World Area Operations, and Regional Proposal/Project teams.
• Partners closely with suppliers and internal technology and marketing stakeholders on next-generation NPI & portfolio transitions, roadmap updates, lifecycle/last-time buy management.
• Demonstrates the ability to engage with and influence internal and external executive management.
• Possesses a strong understanding of software categories and licensing.
• Negotiates and drafts contracts with third-party suppliers, ensuring contractual liabilities are appropriately managed.  Seeks input from team members and stakeholders as necessary.
• Collaborates with Emerson Legal to review contracts for software engagements.
• Responsible for timely reporting of agreed upon KPI’s and for presenting strategic sourcing plans, activities, and progress updates.
• Conducts comprehensive market, supplier, and spend analyses for assigned categories and region(s) to assess current and future trends in pricing and availability, recommends an optimal supply base.
• Interacts directly with royalty and software distribution teams to ensure compliance.
• Manages and facilitates strategic supplier relationships and performance at all levels of the company, aligned with global category strategies within assigned region and leads negotiations with these suppliers.
• Organizes and leads regular strategic supplier meetings and business reviews for assigned categories and suppliers.
• Proactively seeks and leads global and regional opportunities for the SYSS organization through various forms of sourcing and negotiations for one or multiple projects and regions.
• Leads qualification of new suppliers within the software category.
• Assesses internal and external processes for improvements, engages on organizational wide strategic priorities, and influences effective change and drives innovation and continuous improvement.
• Demonstrates strong data analysis, communication and presentation skills.

What You'll Need

• Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited university
• Graduate degree a plus
• 5 to 10 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.
• Must be able to skillfully apply contract expertise, as it pertains to software supply chain, to develop and negotiate effective supplier agreements.