Category Manager- Design and Construction

Job ID 10129142 Location Lake Buena Vista, Florida, United States Business Walt Disney World Resort Date posted Aug. 25, 2025

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Job Summary:

About the Role:

At Disney, we‘re storytellers. We make the impossible, possible. We do this through utilizing and developing cutting-edge technology and pushing the envelope to bring stories to life through our movies, products, interactive games, parks and resorts, and media networks. Now is your chance to join our talented team that delivers unparalleled creative content to audiences around the world.

We are a part of the Disney Experiences (DX) Strategic Sourcing team which supports internal stakeholders within the Design and Construction sector. A major client is Facility Asset Management (FAM), a large Project Management organization.

You will lead and train Sourcing Cast in developing category strategies, selecting Vendors to maximize the value of multi-million dollar annual spend, and to mitigate risks through effective contracting processes and negotiations. This includes supporting Supplier Relationship Management, conforming contracts, running ITBs and/ or RFPs, negotiating deals, managing key suppliers, ensuring regulatory compliance, facilitating process improvements and bringing stakeholders together for collaboration to leverage spend; all while keeping the highest level of ethical and work excellence. You will be responsible for capturing and reporting out on key metrics, including required compliance with Company policy You will interface with multiple levels of leadership and contributors primarily, but not exclusively, within the Disney Experiences segment. This role requires a strategic thinker with strong communication and analytical skills, excellent negotiation abilities, proven business acumen, and a deep understanding of the market dynamics and stakeholders within the design and construction field.

What You will Do:

Request For Proposal (RFP) & Contract Management Support: Facilitate and oversee a portfolio of work at a variety of stages in the Contract Management Life Cycle; including, but not limited to Request for Information (RFIs) w/ in the Supply Chain, to active bids, negotiations and Contract conforming/ awarding and Change Order Management for Design & Construction related spaces; inclusive of on-site labor, construction material procurement, owner-furnished equipment (OFE), large scale system equipment replacement or implementation, construction/ equipment design, and professional services connect to costing/estimating, material testing, survey; etc.
Supplier Vetting & Management: Build strong supplier relationships, ensuring compliance and performance. Pre-qualify vendors through financial, capability, and certification analysis. Implement supplier relationship management programs focused on safety, quality, responsiveness, financial value, and innovation. Share evolving expertise of the Supply Chain’s opportunities so to identify strategic value offerings (options) for the Business Unit we serve.
Develop and Implement Sourcing Strategies: Collaborate with the team manager and other department managers across the lines of business (in and outside of Sourcing; cross-functional collaboration) to create and execute sourcing strategies that drive cost savings, quality improvements, greater risk mitigation, and operational efficiency as aligned with the approved Annual Sourcing Plan.
Negotiation: Lead supplier negotiations to secure favorable terms, pricing, and conditions. Represent Sourcing in vendor discussions to resolve issues with Contract compliance and overall Supplier performance.
Market Analysis: Proactively conduct market research to identify trends and opportunities. Share insights with internal Stakeholders and develop long-term sourcing strategy ideas to be worked through with Sourcing leadership and key Stakeholders.
Performance Monitoring: Track and report key performance indicators (KPIs) related our Suppliers: performance and savings and to our internal team members (direct or non-direct reports); including but not limited to team’s production activity, development/ progression and overall compliance to fundamental KPIs that each Sourcing Specialists is required to perform to.
Risk Management: Identify and mitigate risks w/ in the supply chain, specific Vendor or Project, and overall category to ensure compliance/ policy is met while also ensuring strong Business decisions are being made from informed data and shared understanding of potential impact(s) to operations.
Leadership: May have direct reports and should serve as a resource to lead team members by answering questions, reviewing work, inform strategies, ensure timely completion of all required deliverables and be able to effectively develop talent. In an elevated position of influence on the team, whether direct reports of not, Category Manager is responsible for the success of all; this includes creating and maintaining a positive, supporting, problem-solving, can-do, inclusive culture and elevating the team’s overall performance. Support team in critical meetings, lead/ co-lead problem-solving efforts, conduct performance evaluations, and drive best utilization of talent for the individual, team and overall Business Unit’s benefit.

Qualifications and Skills:

5 or more years in a sourcing specialist, contract administration, and/ or category management role and/ or have relevant work experience in the field of supply chain or facility maintenance/ larger- construction related projects, such as operational management, project management and/ or cost- estimating or equivalent experience
Knowledge of various contract types (Lump Sum, Design Build, Unit Rate, Cost Plus; etc.) and their applications and experience facilitating an Invitation to Bid from inquiry to contract award and all associated contract management support through close-out.
Demonstrated ability to identify and mitigate potential risk throughout the RFP Process such as bid list creation, sourcing strategy development (includes scope/ schedule, etc.) through post bid conversation and award recommendation and contract issuance.
Proficient in Microsoft Office to analyze data, prepare and execute contracts and provide summary presentations as needed.
Clear, concise communication tailored to various audiences, experience with training clients on process and procedures.
Strong relationship-building skills with internal teams and external vendors.
Skilled in managing diverse meetings (prebid, project, postbid, strategy).
Experience with executing a Supplier Relationship Management program(s) with critical suppliers.
Ability to build compelling business cases and drive projects to completion and to collaborate on ideation and supplier innovation
Strong organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills with a deep understanding of market dynamics, industry trends and sourcing best practices.
Strategic, results-driven, and adaptable leader, able to lead directly and indirectly, influencing without authority and able to work effectively in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.

Education:

Undergraduate degree in Business Administration, Supply Chain Management or related fields/disciplines or equivalent experience

Preferred Education and Experience:

Master's Degree or relevant post-graduate education or equivalent experience
Relevant certifications such as CPSM, CPCM, CSCP, CSSBB, Engineering Intern, or equivalents
Construction and/ or Design expertise and/ or experience such as in-field support, estimating, or project Management.
Recognized subject matter expert in high-risk, complex sourcing projects, often translating to high value efforts and higher volume of workload and expert in contract development and contract negotiations
Experience with Power BI apps, and/ or Tableau for analysis and dashboards
Proven leadership experience and familiarity with Disney sourcing systems and processes (Coupa, ILS, Contracting).
Demonstrated passion for leadership, adaptability, and critical thinking with 3–5 years of direct influence.

Additional Information:

Disney offers a rewards package to help you live your best life! This includes health and savings benefits, educational opportunities, and special extras that only Disney can provide. Learn more about our benefits and perks at https://jobs.disneycareers.com/benefits

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About Walt Disney World Resort:

Since opening in 1971, Walt Disney World Resort has played an important role in many childhood and family memories. Today, hundreds of millions of guests from around the globe visit this magical place to enjoy a Disney vacation. Through a combination of creativity, innovation and technology, the resort immerses guests in classic Disney tales and new kinds of family entertainment. Drawing from a rich heritage of storytelling, Walt Disney World Resort cast members bring Disney magic to life through unmatched attention to detail and superior guest service.

About The Walt Disney Company:

The Walt Disney Company, together with its subsidiaries and affiliates, is a leading diversified international family entertainment and media enterprise that includes three core business segments: Disney Entertainment, ESPN, and Disney Experiences. From humble beginnings as a cartoon studio in the 1920s to its preeminent name in the entertainment industry today, Disney proudly continues its legacy of creating world-class stories and experiences for every member of the family. Disney’s stories, characters and experiences reach consumers and guests from every corner of the globe. With operations in more than 40 countries, our employees and cast members work together to create entertainment experiences that are both universally and locally cherished.

This position is with Disney Worldwide Services, Inc., which is part of a business we call Walt Disney World Resort.

Disney Worldwide Services, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, ancestry, age, marital status, military or veteran status, medical condition, genetic information or disability, or any other basis prohibited by federal, state or local law. Disney champions a business environment where ideas and decisions from all people help us grow, innovate, create the best stories and be relevant in a constantly evolving world.

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Explore this Location Lake Buena Vista, FL

Lake Buena Vista is home to the Disney Springs retail, dining and entertainment complex, Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon Water Park, Disney’s Lake Buena Vista Golf Course and several resort hotels are located with the City limits.