Principal Category Management

Job Description

The Principal Category Management position is a key member of the Procurement team that is responsible for planning, development, execution and management of defined Technology or Labor Categories. This position reports to the Senior Director of Contract Management and requires close working relationships with internal customers, key suppliers, and Business Groups.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Responsibilities of defined Technology or Labor Categories includes sourcing plans/activities required to support multiple markets: Datacenter management, IT Hardware and Software procurement, End User Computing, Cloud Computing, SaaS, PaaS, Network/Telecom, Staff Aug, Contingent Workforce, implementation services and 3rd party support.
• Performs spend analysis for various categories and identifies sourcing opportunities. Develops and executes category plans (global as well as country specific) using strategic sourcing methodologies.
• Manages key supplier relationships and activities in assigned spend categories. Includes Supplier Performance Management activities (QBR’s, SLA review, Contract management) and Supplier Risk Assessment.
• Builds and maintains strong working relationships with internal customers and key suppliers. Leads cross-enterprise sourcing activities. Questions conventional thinking and norms and provides alternatives that can improve outcomes. Provides category expertise to BUs to influence sourcing strategies, supplier selections and sourcing decisions. Drives change management to achieve category management objectives.
• Drives cost savings and risk mitigation in sourcing related activities.
• Leads commercial negotiations to obtain optimal outcomes and works with Contracts Team and Legal department to review and finalize contracts. Gains consensus on acceptable risk levels and contract language with all stakeholders including Legal, Risk, Business Unit leadership and others.

Other responsibilities:

• Responsible for providing category and contractual context and information in response to queries from internal customers.
• Drives rationalization/standardization of processes, goods and services throughout the global enterprise.
• Works with Procurement Operations to utilize procurement tools and provides constructive feedback and participation to improve processes and tools. Integrates and works closely with all procurement team members to present a consistent unified procurement experience to internal stakeholders and suppliers. Has accountability for plans and deadlines.
• Tracks savings and risk mitigation.
• Escalates issues when necessary and appropriate to overcome obstacles.
• Builds cost/evaluation spreadsheets in Excel to facilitate discussions and decisions.
• Compiles and analyzes spend data and industry dynamics from multiple sources to support sourcing initiatives.
• Identifies key risks and timing issues for each negotiation.
• Gathers, monitors, interprets and leverages market intelligence data. Coordinates the RFP/bid process including, pre-bid/proposal meetings, walk-throughs, bid openings, bid tabulation and bid reviews.
  

Job Requirements

Preferred Position Requirements:

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Supply Chain Management, Information Systems, or related discipline is required. Masters degree in Business, Supply Chain management or related discipline preferred.

Experience / specific knowledge:

• 8 years of experience in strategic sourcing, category management, procurement, contract management, or supply chain management.
• Demonstrated category expertise in two or more different IT areas.
• Ability to take large amounts of data from multiple sources and perform analysis in Excel or Access.
• Ability to review, interpret, write, edit and finalize contracts, with strong knowledge of procurement contract constructs and clauses.
• Experience with commercial transactions and negotiation.
• Ability to influence business decisions and procedures. Must be self-directed, take initiative, and be an out-of-the-box thinker.
• Must have strong communication (written and verbal), organization, problem-solving and interpersonal skills with the ability to collaborate with all levels of management and employees.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite including Word, Excel, Outlook, Access, and Power Point.
• Knowledge of SharePoint, ERP, Contract Management/Purchasing P2P Systems. (Coupa, SAP and Ariba preferred).