Procurement Category Manager

Procurement Category Manager III – Telecom / OSP ConstructionRemote | Temp-to-HireWe are seeking an experienced Procurement Category Manager to support a leading telecommunications company's Network Construction organization.Direct telecommunications / Outside Plant (OSP) construction experience is REQUIRED for this position.This role will support sourcing, contracting, and supplier management for OSP construction support services, including utility locates, flagging, traffic control, and other field services supporting fiber/network construction.The ideal candidate combines hands-on knowledge of telecommunications/OSP construction with experience in strategic sourcing, supplier management, RFP/RFx execution, contract administration, and supplier negotiations.ResponsibilitiesSupport procurement and category-management activities for telecommunications OSP construction and field-support servicesDevelop and execute sourcing strategies in partnership with Network Construction stakeholdersCoordinate and lead RFP, RFI, and RFQ sourcing eventsSource and onboard construction labor, services, contractors, and suppliers supporting fiber deploymentSupport categories such as utility locating, flagging, traffic control, permitting, trenching, fiber installation, and related OSP servicesNegotiate supplier pricing, commercial terms, SOWs, and agreementsAssist with contract execution, amendments, and modificationsMonitor supplier performance, KPIs, service levels, delivery timelines, and risksAnalyze spend, pricing, market conditions, and cost-saving opportunitiesPartner with Legal, Procurement, Network Construction, field teams, Finance, and other internal stakeholdersIdentify alternative sourcing options and support supplier-risk mitigationMaintain strong supplier and stakeholder relationshipsRequired QualificationsDirect telecommunications / OSP construction experience – REQUIRED2+ years of procurement, strategic sourcing, category management, supply chain, or related supplier-management experienceUnderstanding of fiber/OSP construction and the contractors and services required to support network deploymentExperience with supplier/vendor managementExperience supporting or leading RFP/RFI/RFQ eventsExperience with contracts, SOWs, supplier negotiations, and/or commercial termsIntermediate Microsoft Excel skillsStrong analytical, organizational, communication, and stakeholder-management skillsAbility to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced remote environmentBachelor's degree or equivalent relevant experiencePreferred QualificationsProcurement experience supporting categories such as:Utility locatingTraffic control/flaggingOSP fiber constructionTrenching/boringFiber installation and splicingPermittingEngineering or other network field servicesExperience with major telecommunications providers or telecom construction organizationsSAP and/or Ariba experienceExperience developing category strategies and identifying cost-saving opportunitiesExperience managing supplier performance metrics and KPIsPosition DetailsLocation: 100% RemoteEmployment Type: Temp-to-HireInterview Process: Microsoft TeamsSchedule: Standard business hours; candidates across U.S. time zones may be consideredThis is an excellent opportunity for someone who understands the OSP construction environment and wants to apply that expertise within a strategic procurement and supplier-management function.When applying, please make sure your resume clearly reflects your direct telecommunications/OSP construction experience as well as your procurement, sourcing, contracting, or supplier-management responsibilities.