Category Sourcing Manager, Marketing

Okta Okta · Enterprise · San Francisco, CA · Accounting Operations-121

Okta is seeking an experienced Category Manager for their Marketing spend globally. The role focuses on maximizing value, minimizing risk, and ensuring supplier support for the marketing team. Responsibilities include developing and executing sourcing strategies, leading negotiations, driving cost savings, and managing supplier relationships. This is a hybrid role based in Bellevue, WA, or San Francisco Bay Area.

What you'd actually do

  1. Develop and execute proactive sourcing strategies for the Marketing category, working closely with functional groups to understand their long-term needs and deliver tangible value.
  2. Manage the entire lifecycle of sourcing projects from end-to-end, including conducting RFIs, RFPs, and market assessments to lead supplier selection activities.
  3. Lead commercial term negotiations for project-level agreements (Statements of Work, Order Forms) and partner with Legal on Master Service Agreements (MSAs), ensuring favorable terms and compliance.
  4. Identify and implement cost-saving opportunities through strategic negotiations and process improvements. Develop and track KPIs to measure savings and value.
  5. Build strong relationships with Marketing stakeholders to understand their objectives and align procurement initiatives with their business requirements, guiding them through the entire sourcing process.

Skills

Required

  • Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, Finance, or a related field.
  • Minimum of 3+ years of experience in strategic sourcing and procurement, with experience in Marketing including Creative & Brand, PR/Communications, Swag, Paid Media, Web Marketing and Events
  • Proven ability to lead contract and commercial term negotiations independently.
  • Experience managing multiple projects in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
  • Strong analytical, problem-solving, and project management skills.
  • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams.
  • Familiarity with the procure-to-pay process and proficiency in tools like Google Workspace and MS Office Suite (Excel, PowerPoint).

Nice to have

  • Professional certifications such as CSCP, CPSM, or CPIM.
  • Strong negotiation skills and experience in leading negotiations across various services and indirect categories
  • Independently run and manage RFPs
  • Ability to be responsible for multiple projects with tight target dates
  • Familiarity with the procure-to-pay process and vendor management principles
  • Excellent project management and time management skills
  • Proficiency with analytics and reporting
  • Experience with ERP and financial systems. Familiarity with Coupa, Workday/ScoutRFP is a plus