Overview:

Job Summary:

The Category Manager is primarily responsible for strategically sourcing new and existing vendors, negotiating and administering contracts with vendors with varying degrees of complexity and/or sensitivity, ensuring that cost, quality, and delivery terms are adhered to and met. This Category Manager will be a key resource for all procurement and purchasing issues related to various software applications and Professional Services. This role is accountable for collaborating with various internal departments (such as IT, Information Security, etc) to understand their procurement needs.  We are seeking a professional with strong experience in Sourcing, supplier negotiations, and data gathering.  A key aspect of the role is building collaborative relationships with internal business partners, as well as strategic relationships with suppliers, developing category plans and presenting strategies on a regular basis. The Category Manager will be selecting and conferring with vendors to obtain products and service information including price, product availability, and delivery schedules; coordinate with the representatives from vendor companies and internally to construct, negotiate, and assess all category contracts and services.  This role reports to the Sr. Sourcing Manager in Procurement.

Required in-office presence at least 4 days per week 

Responsibilities:

Essential Functions:

Deep working and demonstrable knowledge of the IT category

Detailed experience and knowledge of the strategic sourcing process lifecycle

Develop, coordinate, and implement category procurement sourcing plans that provide maximum value to the business while effectively managing organizational spend

Engage internal stakeholders in order to understand business objectives and desired market related outcomes (10k+ total internal employees, in over 300 global locations)

Develop and maintain relationships with key stakeholders, leadership, and Executives, and influence decisions to align with good procurement practices

Lead procurement projects including negotiation of contracts & commercial terms consistent with maximizing business value for the company as a whole

Measure and report value delivered

Perform in-depth analysis of supply markets and sources from globally capable and competitive suppliers

Expert level in conducting strategic supplier sourcing activities including RFx, negotiations, contracting, price analyses, and program management to support new strategies

Oversee complex procurement projects across a variety of geographies and functions

Research industry benchmarks (pricing, quality, product changes, service levels, trends)

Involved in wide ranging planning cycles from short term to multi-year sourcing activities

Build TCO cost modeling and baseline documentation

Develop and negotiate vendor SLAs, KPIs and performance metrics

Ensure that adequate price competition exists, and favorable supply arrangements are met

Manage customer's expectations through timely feedback and proactive communication

Recommend and implement cost saving and cost avoidance measures

Review contract compliance, identify problem situations and recommend corrective measures

Identify risk situations and coordinate solutions with management.

Develop relationships with other business units and understand their business plans

Maintain vendors and contract files in our internal vendor database

Responsible for using independent judgment and making decisions that require a great degree of creative, analytical, and problem-solving ability

Develop and maintain metrics of vendor performance for use in placement of repeat or new business

Negotiate and support SLA agreements with new and existing vendors to ensure expected performance levels are maintained

Qualifications:

Minimum Education and/or Experience:BS in supply chain/purchasing, BA in business-related field, or equivalent substantive experience

At least 4-6 years in procurement or strategic sourcing organization

Extensive complex contract procurement experience. 

Working with and/or managing cross functional teams

Skills and Abilities:

Strong negotiation skills

Excellent organization and customer service skills

Ability to handle multiple projects and tasks concurrently

Excellent interpersonal skills (written and verbal) required with the ability to interact with and influence stakeholders at all levels of the organization

Experience in implementation of processes, policies, and methodologies

High degree of attention to detail

Strong analytical skills including advanced use of Excel

Working knowledge of Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Visio, and related computer skills

Core Competencies:Build relationships

Develop people

Lead change

Inspire Others

Think critically

Communicate clearly

Create accountability