Category Lead - Coupa Implementation

Category Lead

Colas Inc. is the corporate office of Colas USA, a materials and heavy highway/infrastructure leader that began operations in 1979 with the acquisition of Barrett Paving Materials. The headquarters office of Colas Inc. is located in Morristown, New Jersey, but our employees also work within our five (5) subsidiary companies operating throughout the United States from New York to Alaska.

Compensation

Annual Salary Range $98,900.00 - $120,900.00 USD based on experience

Job Summary

The Category Lead will serve as a core member of the US Coupa rollout project team, representing and establishing the category management function within the platform. This role is responsible for managing categories of goods and services while embedding contracts, catalogs, sourcing processes, and procurement workflows through Coupa.

As a subject matter expert, the Category Lead will develop and execute category strategies based on market dynamics and business requirements. The role will partner with the procurement team, cross-functional stakeholders, and the Coupa project team to ensure effective integration of category management practices into system capabilities.

Key responsibilities include analyzing industry and spend data, developing and executing sourcing strategies, leading supplier negotiations, and driving cost optimization while ensuring supply continuity. The Category Lead will also support the development of sourcing standard operating practices.

Main Responsibilities

Develop deep category expertise through data analysis and market intelligence to position the business competitively.

Serve as the category management lead on the Coupa rollout team, responsible for embedding category strategies, standard processes, and sourcing best practices within the platform.

Design and implement standardized category management and sourcing processes in Coupa, ensuring consistency across all subsidiaries.

Lead the deployment of category management practices at each subsidiary during rollout, including system configuration, stakeholder alignment, and process adoption.

Stabilize and optimize the sourcing function post-go-live by reinforcing best practices, supporting users, and driving continuous improvement in Coupa utilization.

Execute category-specific sourcing strategies using Coupa Sourcing, including event management, supplier engagement, and award optimization.

Influence and train stakeholders to adopt best-in-class sourcing methodologies and fully leverage Coupa capabilities.

Manage and develop supplier performance, relationships, and agreements to create competitive advantage.

Lead cross-functional sourcing initiatives using spend analysis, market research, and cost modeling to identify and deliver value, efficiencies, and risk mitigation.

Collaborate with finance, operations, legal, and procurement teams to ensure sourcing strategies are aligned, executable, and compliant.

Develop and execute negotiation strategies, partnering with legal to ensure appropriate commercial protection and optimal contract outcomes.

Analyze contractual terms and provide recommendations to support business decisions.

Establish and maintain strong supplier relationships grounded in ethical business practices and performance management.

Act as the primary category liaison to suppliers, leveraging market insights and performance analytics.

Identify and anticipate business needs, developing proactive sourcing and category strategies.

Develop and maintain long-term category strategies and procurement roadmaps aligned to business objectives.

Coordinate sourcing activities and drive alignment across procurement teams and subsidiaries.

Support sustainability and low-carbon initiatives through sourcing strategies and supplier collaboration.

Skills/Competencies

24+ years of strategic sourcing or category management experience within a complex or multi-entity environment

Extensive experience with Coupa Sourcing modules, including event creation, supplier engagement, bid analysis, catalogs, and contracting

Direct experience supporting or participating in a Coupa (or similar S2P platform) implementation or rollout strongly preferred

Demonstrated ability to design, standardize, and deploy sourcing and category management processes across multiple business units

Strong knowledge of the end-to-end Source-to-Pay (S2P) lifecycle, including sourcing, contracting, procurement, invoicing, and payment

Proven ability to operate effectively in a transformation or change management environment, including training and stakeholder enablement

Strong negotiation, supplier management, and relationship-building skills

Advanced analytical capabilities with the ability to translate data into actionable sourcing strategies

Ability to influence cross-functional stakeholders and drive adoption of new processes and systems

Experience in construction, manufacturing, equipment, or related categories preferred

Experience working closely with operations and decentralized business structures

Strong leadership, communication, and decision-making skills

Execution-oriented with a strong sense of urgency and accountability for results

Ability to travel approximately 50-75% to support subsidiary rollouts and supplier engagement

Proficient in Microsoft Office (Excel, PowerPoint, Word)

Education

Bachelor's Degree required; Master's Degree or MBA preferred

Valid driver's license with ability to maintain a clean driving record

Colas Inc. and its subsidiaries are an Equal Opportunity Employer. For details on the specifics of this commitment, please view the EEO document.

If you are an individual with a disability and require a reasonable accommodation to:

• meet the requirements of the role in which you are applying
• complete any part of the application process
• access or use the online application process and need an alternative method for applying

Please contact Colas Inc. at 973-290-9082 or send an email to ColasRecruiter@colasinc.com.