Principal, Procurement Category Management, Technology

The Principal, Category Management owns a portfolio of technology hardware and software categories end to end within Nike's Technology Procurement team. The role reports to the Director, Procurement, Technology and partners with Global Technology, Tech Finance, Legal and Sourcing. The team manages the hardware and software categories that power Nike's digital and physical experiences and is building a category-led, AI-enabled procurement model.

• Own a portfolio of technology hardware and software categories end to end.
• 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 prioritise 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 analyse contracts, benchmark pricing and move faster.
• Help the team grow by sharing playbooks and testing new ways of working.

• 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.
• Deep category management experience across hardware and software, supported by strong sourcing, negotiation, commercial and financial acumen.
• Strong commercial and financial acumen.
• Hands-on use of artificial intelligence tools such as Microsoft Copilot for analysis, research and deliverables.
• Curiosity, persistence and comfort navigating ambiguity, with the ability to bring structure where a playbook does not yet exist.
• Ability to act as a trusted advisor, build strong stakeholder partnerships and focus on measurable business value, not simply savings.

• Professional procurement certification such as Certified Professional in Supply Management (CPSM) or Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply (CIPS) preferred.

is small, ambitious and building a category-led, AI-enabled procurement model.