Category Manager

Job Detail:

Position: Category Manager

Location: Newark NJ

Duration: 6 month

 Job Description: 

This Category Manager II role is responsible for implementing and executing sourcing strategies, initiatives, and projects for Information Technology. The Category Manager II will be responsible for driving performance from the supply base and internal procurement team, which include competitive market analysis; supplier identification and relationship management; execution of the RFI/RFP and competitive bid process; contract and price negotiations; and the day to day management of assigned programs to drive savings, improve business processes and comply with all corporate, legal and regulatory policies. This role will lead a team of Specialists to ensure the Sourcing Strategy is communicated, executed and aligned to the overall organizational strategy. Category Manager IIs will lead and drive cross-functional sourcing agenda and drive alignment between category strategies and the needs and requirements of the business. The role includes the following sets of responsibilities:

• Partner with the business units to develop and consistently execute category strategies and sourcing plans that support the overall strategy of the business

• Analyze category markets and assess risk, gathering intelligence on fundamental conditions and technical information that impact the category 

• Consider current status of category supplier contracts and agreements in strategy development

• Interacting with internal stakeholders and providing category leadership to Business Partners using procurement services 

• Driving organizational alignment with high level business partners

• Developing category strategies and providing proactive sourcing category advice to Business Partners

• Leading cross-functional category teams in selecting suppliers offering the best overall value. 

• Providing contract life cycle management of a significant, complex commodity which includes research of potential vendors, development of Request for Proposals, and the negotiation of terms and conditions that protects the company from risk and achieves best in class terms 

• Negotiating contracts and development of clearly defined Statements of Work 

• Managing overall supplier relationship and contract term

• Manage and lead teams in the source selection process

• Manage the contract life cycle of complex category agreements

Education/Experience:

• Requires strong category management subject matter expertise necessary to provide quality value-added category advice to business partners and team 

• Requires a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in a business-related field (e.g., Accounting, Finance, Supply Chain Management); MBA a plus

• Requires 7+ years of professional experience in sourcing and category management with a deep understanding of best practices 

• Experience in the HealthCare domain is a plus

• Demonstrated experience with developing and implementing successful cost saving initiatives

• Experience collaborating with internal and external resources to develop sourcing and negotiation strategies that meet established goals and timelines

• Experience managing direct reports, projects and/or cross functional teams

• Ability to identify and quantify business benefit (cost savings, cost avoidance, client satisfaction, quality improvement, etc.)

• Experience in preparing and presenting reports and briefings to Executive Management

Additional licensing, certifications, registrations:

• C.P.M. or C.P.S.M. certification is a plus 

• MBA a plus

Knowledge:

• Solid understanding of procurement trends and best practices (i.e., reverse auctions, e-sourcing, etc.)

• Requires expert knowledge of contract negotiation strategies and processes 

• Good knowledge of legal environment related to supplier contracts and agreements

• Working knowledge of vendor performance management and contract administration

• Strong current hands on knowledge and experience sourcing the full breath of Information Technology products and services, including, but not limited to, enterprise wide software, enterprise wide hardware, Off-Shore Application Development, Telecommunications, and Managed Services agreements

Skills and Abilities:

• Excellent communication skills (written and oral)

• Strong analytical skills

• Takes accountability

• Strong customer focus

• Proficiency with procurement systems including sourcing, contract management and transactional systems (e.g., ARIBA) 

• Proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint skills