<p><strong>JOB SUMMARY</strong></p> <p> </p> <p>The Manager, Category Management – Rooms Manufacturers and Apparel is a key member of the US/CN Procurement team, reporting to the Senior Director, Category Management. This role is responsible for driving procurement strategies and initiatives specifically within rooms manufacturers and apparel/uniform programs across all Marriott brands and disciplines. This role will provide direct program support for the administration of the Marriott rooms manufacturers and apparel/uniform program to all customers in the U.S. &amp; Canada. The Manager ensures compliance with Marriott’s procurement policies and processes, serves as a point of escalation for room-related sourcing issues, and delivers clear and effective communications. This individual will collaborate closely with corporate, continent, and discipline leaders to enhance supplier governance, promote responsible sourcing, and support financial sustainability—particularly in rooms operations. The role also includes active participation in cross-functional teams to implement procurement solutions that improve quality, efficiency, and guest satisfaction.</p> <p> </p> <p><strong>CANDIDATE PROFILE </strong></p> <p> </p> <p><strong>Education and Experience </strong></p> <p> </p> <p><i>Required</i></p> <ul>  <li>4-year bachelors degree from an accredited university in Business Administration, Hotel Management, or related sector.</li>  <li>5+ years of business and/or procurement experience. Technical knowledge of category management and strategic sourcing.</li>  <li>Ability to travel up to 20%</li> </ul> <p> </p> <p><i>Preferred</i></p> <ul>  <li>Graduate/post graduate degree</li>  <li>Basic knowledge of Room categories and contracting structure with Rooms manufacturers and distributors as well an understanding of rental agreements</li> </ul> <p> </p> <p><strong>CORE WORK ACTIVITIES </strong></p> <p> </p> <ul>  <li>Act as a procurement business partner to brand and lodging product business disciplines, providing guidance on category management, strategic sourcing, policy and risk management.</li>  <li>Support the product design, creation, refinement and implementation of category management and sourcing strategies for procurement across the enterprise, ensuring alignment with discipline partners and company objectives. </li>  <li>Stay abreast of demand patterns and category spend in rooms, cost benchmarks, and business trends to identify potential suppliers, advise on competitive dynamics, and proactively work with stakeholders to modify strategies to meet enterprise-wide requirements, manage risk and optimize costs.</li>  <li>Identify and develop strategies to mitigate potential risks within the supply chain, ensuring business continuity and stability.</li>  <li>Manage and optimize supplier relationships, ensuring quality and cost-effectiveness in rooms manufacturers offerings.</li>  <li>Recommend new sourcing strategies, process improvements, and supplier relationships for rooms manufacturers categories across the enterprise.</li>  <li>Assist in the development of timelines and organize teams to implement sourcing strategies and initiatives.</li>  <li>Utilize effective internal tracking mechanisms and measurements to monitor the competitive bidding process.</li>  <li>Utilize training programs and awareness initiatives to ensure procurement teams and stakeholders understand and adhere to policies and governance frameworks.</li>  <li>Consistently utilize governance mechanisms for supplier onboarding, performance management, and contract compliance.</li>  <li>Work collaboratively with cross-functional teams across the enterprise and within Procurement to achieve shared goals. </li> </ul> <p>Ensure procurement strategies align with corporate sustainability goals, ethical sourcing standards, and supplier diversity initiatives.</p> <p> </p> <p><i>At Marriott International, we are dedicated to being an equal opportunity employer, welcoming all and providing access to opportunity. We actively foster an environment where the unique backgrounds of our associates are valued and celebrated. Our greatest strength lies in the rich blend of culture, talent, and experiences of our associates.  We are committed to non-discrimination on any protected basis, including disability, veteran status, or other basis protected by applicable law. </i></p> <p> </p><div>  All positions offer a 401(k) plan, stock purchase plan, discounts at Marriott properties, commuter benefits, employee assistance plan, and childcare discounts.  Benefits are subject to terms and conditions, which may include rules regarding eligibility, enrollment, waiting period, contribution, benefit limits, election changes, benefit exclusions, and others. Click <a href="https://life.marriott.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/benefitsoverviewp_2025edits_8.19.25.pdf" target="_blank">here</a> to learn more. </div> <div>  <br /> </div> <div>  Full-time positions also offer coverage for medical, dental, vision, health care flexible spending account, dependent care flexible spending account, life insurance, disability insurance, accident insurance, adoption expense reimbursements, paid parental leave and educational assistance.  </div> <div>  <br /> </div> <div>  <b>Washington Applicants Only</b>: Employees will accrue paid sick leave, 0.077 PTO balance for every hour worked and be eligible to receive a minimum of 9 holidays annually. </div> <div>  <br /> </div> <div>  Marriott HQ is committed to a hybrid work environment that enables associates to Be connected.  Headquarters-based positions are considered hybrid, for candidates within a commuting distance to Bethesda, MD; candidates outside of commuting distance to Bethesda, MD will be considered for Remote positions. </div>Marriott International is the world’s largest hotel company, with more brands, more hotels and more opportunities for associates to grow and succeed. <b>Be</b> where you can do your best work,​ <b>begin</b> your purpose, <b>belong</b> to an amazing global​ team, and <b>become</b> the best version of you.