Senior Category Manager

Who we are

Samsara (NYSE: IOT) is the pioneer of the Connected Operations™ Cloud, which is a platform that enables organizations that depend on physical operations to harness Internet of Things (IoT) data to develop actionable insights and improve their operations. At Samsara, we are helping improve the safety, efficiency and sustainability of the physical operations that power our global economy. Representing more than 40% of global GDP, these industries are the infrastructure of our planet, including agriculture, construction, field services, transportation, and manufacturing — and we are excited to help digitally transform their operations at scale.

Working at Samsara means you’ll help define the future of physical operations and be on a team that’s shaping an exciting array of product solutions, including Video-Based Safety, Vehicle Telematics, Apps and Driver Workflows, and Equipment Monitoring. As part of a recently public company, you’ll have the autonomy and support to make an impact as we build for the long term.

About the role:

Samsara is seeking a sourcing leader who thrives in ambiguity, moves with urgency, and treats every dollar of spend like it's their own. This is a role for a self-starter who builds the plan, drives it to close, and doesn't wait for direction.

You will own your categories end to end, acting as the subject matter expert across all engagements and balancing competing interests across stakeholders, suppliers, and the business to land the right outcome.

This role is open to candidates residing in the US except the San Francisco Bay Metro Area, NYC Metro Area, and Washington, D.C. Metro Area. It can be office-based or fully remote.

You should apply if:

• You want to impact the industries that run our world: Your efforts will result in real-world impact – helping to keep the lights on, get food into grocery stores, reduce emissions, and most importantly, ensure workers return home safely.
• You are the architect of your own career: If you put in the work, this role won’t be your last at Samsara. We set up our employees for success and have built a culture that encourages rapid career development, countless opportunities to experiment and master your craft in a hyper growth environment.
• You’re energized by our opportunity: The vision we have to digitize large sectors of the global economy requires your full focus and best efforts to bring forth creative, ambitious ideas for our customers.
• You want to be with the best: At Samsara, we win together, celebrate together and support each other. You will be surrounded by a high-calibre team that will encourage you to do your best. 

In this role, you will:

• Primarily focus on SaaS, consumption data tooling, and AI for internal usage across the BizTech organization and Security, you will:
• Own the full sourcing lifecycle end to end — strategy, negotiation, contracting, and supplier management
• Build and execute category strategies that deliver a competitive advantage, not just cost savings
• Operate with a bias toward action, making sound decisions with imperfect information and adjusting quickly
• Proactively identify sourcing opportunities ahead of stakeholder requests
• Lead all aspects of contract redlining and negotiation in a fast-paced, high-volume environment, alongside legal counsel
• Manage competing priorities from business owners, stakeholders, and leadership
• Align with internal stakeholders to drive the right solutions at the right price, consistently delivering win-win outcomes
• Analyze industry trends to anticipate issues and develop contingency plans
• Balance speed, quality, and risk with cost savings goals
• Champion Samsara's Operating Principles

Minimum requirements for the role:

• 6+ years of strategic sourcing experience, including 4+ years focused on software
• Demonstrated career progression and increasing scope of responsibility
• Strong negotiation and communication skills, with an influential skillset that drives alignment and decisions
• Proven ability to forge relationships with executives, stakeholders, and suppliers
• Experience redlining contracts in partnership with Legal
• Comfortable operating with a high level of autonomy
• Able to manage a high volume of transactions in a fast-paced environment
• Bachelor's degree in Business, Supply Chain, or related discipline preferred

An ideal candidate also has:

• Has a track record of delivering results quickly, even in ambiguous or undefined situations
• Is energized by high volume and competing stakeholder demands rather than overwhelmed by them
• Exercises sound judgment on when to move independently and when to escalate
• Builds stakeholder trust quickly, particularly in new or evolving environments
• Maintains a high level of interest in emerging technology
• Has deep command of legal and category-specific contract terms
• Can translate business needs directly into contract language
• Brings strong business acumen and connects sourcing decisions to broader company outcomes
• This role is best suited to a candidate who is energized by ownership, ambiguity, and pace, and who is ready to make a measurable impact from day one.

The range of annual base salary for full-time employees for this position is below. Please note that base pay offered may vary depending on factors including your city of residence, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. This role is also eligible for an initial RSU grant with no vesting cliff, and ongoing refresh opportunities tied to performance, subject to plan terms and conditions. Learn more about our total rewards and benefits below.

Annual Base Salary

$94,605—$143,100 USD

Total Rewards

At Samsara, we build for the people who keep the global economy moving. We want owners, not passengers, which is why our rewards are designed to fuel high-impact builders. Our compensation program delivers above-market total compensation through a combination of base salary, performance-based bonus/variable pay, and equity (for eligible roles) in a high-growth public company. We meaningfully differentiate pay for our top performers, who have the opportunity to earn above-market compensation that can outpace the broader market over time.

Beyond compensation, we provide the foundations that enable long-term success: a flexible, employee-led remote model, a professional development stipend, comprehensive health and parental leave plans, and more. If you’re ready to build for the long term and own the outcome, your journey starts here.

Flexible Working

At Samsara, we embrace a flexible working model that caters to the diverse needs of our teams. Our offices are open for those who prefer to work in-person and we also support remote work where it aligns with our operational requirements. For certain positions, being close to one of our offices or within a specific geographic area is important to facilitate collaboration, access to resources, or alignment with our service regions. In these cases, the job description will clearly indicate any working location requirements. Our goal is to ensure that all members of our team can contribute effectively, whether they are working on-site, in a hybrid model, or fully remotely. All offers of employment are contingent upon an individual’s ability to secure and maintain the legal right to work at the company and in the specified work location, if applicable.

Belonging at Samsara

At Samsara, we welcome everyone regardless of their background. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, protected veteran status, disability, age, and other characteristics protected by law. We depend on the unique approaches of our team members to help us solve complex problems and want to ensure that Samsara is a place where people from all backgrounds can make an impact.

Accommodations

Samsara is an inclusive work environment, and we are committed to ensuring equal opportunity in employment for qualified persons with disabilities. Please email accessibleinterviewing@samsara.com or click here if you require any reasonable accommodations throughout the recruiting process.

Our Commitment to Authenticity

We use Tofu, a fraud detection tool, to validate the authenticity of applications and protect against identity fraud. This ensures we are connecting with real people and allows us to prioritize genuine candidates. Please see Samsara’s Candidate Privacy Notice for more information.

Fraudulent Employment Offers

Samsara is aware of scams involving fake job interviews and offers. Please know we do not charge fees to applicants at any stage of the hiring process. Official communication about your application will only come from emails ending in @samsara.com, @us-greenhouse-mail.io or @mail3.guide.co. For more information regarding fraudulent employment offers, please visit our blog post here.