Global Category Leader, Corporate Services

Primary Function of Position

The Global Category Leader, Corporate Services will lead strategic sourcing and category management initiatives across Intuitive’s Corporate Services portfolio. Key spend categories include Finance, G&A, Legal, HR, Contingent Workforce, Professional Services, and Sales & Marketing. This leadership role manages a team of sourcing professionals and is responsible for developing strategies that reduce business risk, optimize total cost of ownership, and ensure governance and compliance across designated categories.

As a critical partner to business operations, this role requires close collaboration with internal stakeholders and external suppliers to align sourcing strategies with organizational objectives. The Global Category Leader will drive innovation, manage demand, and deliver measurable value through effective supplier relationships and category strategies.

The ideal candidate will excel in team leadership and development, while demonstrating expertise in supplier and market research, data analysis, baseline development, RFP creation, bid management, contract negotiation, and category strategy formulation. Post-sourcing responsibilities include contract and business reviews, spend analysis, and supplier performance management. This position requires the ability to oversee multiple projects and direct reports concurrently in a fast-paced, global environment.

Supplier Relationship Management

• Develop and maintain strong supplier partnerships that foster collaboration, trust, and long-term success.

• Serve as the primary point of contact for suppliers on performance metrics and strategic initiatives.

• Conduct regular performance reviews, assess supplier capabilities, and implement improvement plans to enhance reliability and service quality.

• Establish global standards for evaluating supplier performance and mitigating business risk.

Strategic Sourcing:

• Independently lead end-to-end RFx and strategic sourcing processes for complex projects, ensuring timely and effective execution.

• Analyze spend patterns and perform market and supplier assessments to identify cost-saving opportunities and drive innovation.

• Collaborate with direct reports and cross-functional teams to develop category strategies aligned with business objectives and market trends.

• Optimize purchasing channels and design sourcing strategies for assigned categories, incorporating Procure-to-Pay (P2P) requirements.

• Deliver comprehensive financial analyses to support bid evaluations and alternative proposals.

Contract Management:

• Negotiate and manage supplier contracts to ensure compliance with company policies and industry standards.

• Monitor contract performance and adherence to agreed terms and conditions.

• Apply deep knowledge of contractual terms related to corporate services categories and associated agreements.

• Identify opportunities for contract optimization or consolidation to improve cost efficiency and reduce risk exposure.

• Secure favorable terms, service levels, and discounts while safeguarding company interests.

• Serve as an escalation point for direct reports

Category Management:

• Establish baselines for current spend categories and define success criteria aligned with business goals and market dynamics.

• Analyze market trends, assess risks, and evaluate potential new suppliers to strengthen category strategies.

• Define and track key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure category health and performance.

• Implement tailored spend management plans across varying levels of spend and risk.

• Partner with business partners to execute category strategies and deliver key initiatives effectively.

Required Skills and Experience

• 10+ years of experience, with at least 5 years in a strategic sourcing & category management role and 4 years leading teams.
• Proven experience supporting Corporate Services categories, Finance, Legal, HR, Contingent Workforce, Professional Services and other related G&A services.
• Exceptional negotiation skills, capable of guiding teams through complex and ambiguous situations.
• Strong conceptual thinking abilities to navigate and resolve intricate challenges.
• Ability to thrive in a dynamic, fast-paced, high-growth environment.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, suitable for engaging with team members and company leadership.
• Superior analytical skills to quickly assess situations, perform root cause analysis, and draw meaningful conclusions.
• Extensive experience in managing change across diverse stakeholder groups.
• Proven ability to influence senior leadership on strategic directions, value propositions, and sourcing recommendations.
• Strong skills in contract and vendor negotiation to secure favorable outcomes.
• Ability to build consensus and act as an impartial mediator to achieve sourcing objectives without compromising service quality or increasing risk/cost.
• Expertise in concurrently managing multiple projects and tasks, with a solid understanding of business requirements and project management methodologies.
• Meticulous attention to detail and a commitment to accuracy with minimal supervision.
• Proficient in listening, understanding, and communicating effectively with employees at all levels.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships within Intuitive and with suppliers.

Required Education and Training

• Minimum Bachelor’s Degree Required (Business, Supply Chain management, Finance, or related Discipline preferred)

Due to the nature of our business and the role, please note that Intuitive and/or your customer(s) may require that you show current proof of vaccination against certain diseases including COVID-19.  Details can vary by role.

Intuitive is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We provide equal employment opportunities to all qualified applicants and employees, and prohibit discrimination and harassment of any type, without regard to race, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, color, age, religion, protected veteran or disability status, genetic information or any other status protected under federal, state, or local applicable laws.

Mandatory Notices

U.S. Export Controls Disclaimer:  In accordance with the U.S. Export Administration Regulations (15 CFR §743.13(b)), some roles at Intuitive Surgical may be subject to U.S. export controls for prospective employees
who are nationals from countries currently on embargo or sanctions status.

Certain information you provide as part of the application will be used for purposes of determining whether Intuitive Surgical will need to (i) obtain an export license from the U.S. Government on your behalf (note: the government’s licensing process can take 3 to 6+ months) or (ii) implement a Technology Control Plan (“TCP”) (note: typically adds 2 weeks to the hiring process).  

For any Intuitive role subject to export controls, final offers are contingent upon obtaining an approved export license and/or an executed TCP prior to the prospective employee’s
start date, which may or may not be flexible, and within a timeframe that does not unreasonably impede the hiring need. If applicable, candidates will be notified and instructed on any requirements for these purposes. 

We will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records in accordance with fair chance laws.

Preference will be given to qualified candidates who do not reside, or plan to reside, in Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Indiana, Iowa, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, or Tennessee.

We provide market-competitive compensation packages, inclusive of base pay, incentives, benefits, and equity. It would not be typical for someone to be hired at the top end of range for the role, as actual pay will be determined based on several factors, including experience, skills, and qualifications. The target compensation ranges are listed.