Associate Category Manager
About The Position
This role supports indirect information technology sourcing in the Telecommunications, IT Hardware, and Security categories. It implements procurement strategies from identifying procurement needs through delivery and assists with short- and long-term strategies aligned with company goals for cost reduction and financial performance. The role handles less complex negotiations and coordinates the purchase of assigned indirect goods, services, and categories at the lowest possible cost. It evaluates near- and long-term plans, balances supplier priorities with business needs, consults management and subject-matter experts, and advises on options, risks, total cost of ownership, and business impacts. Under the direction of a Category Manager, the Associate Category Manager develops and executes sourcing strategies and supplier management activities. The position collaborates with cross-functional teams, tracks category performance and spend, analyzes data, supports inventory and sourcing project management, and works to reduce product and service costs. It also monitors supplier performance and contributes to team training and mentorship. Walgreens serves nearly 9 million customers and patients each day through approximately 8,500 stores across the U.S. and Puerto Rico and its omni-channel platforms. The company has approximately 220,000 team members, including nearly 90,000 healthcare service providers.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree and at least 2 years of experience in Retail, Sales, and/or Category Management, or in analyzing related data such as sales trends, assortment selections, or financial planning; alternatively, a high school diploma or GED and at least 4 years of such experience.
- Knowledge of the procurement lifecycle and procurement best practices.
- Experience in supplier negotiations and developing and executing sourcing strategies.
- Experience collaborating with internal and external resources to develop strategies that meet department goals within budget and established timelines.
- Intermediate Microsoft Excel skills, including functions such as SUM, formatting, charts, sorting, headers and footers, and print scaling.
- Intermediate Microsoft PowerPoint skills, including themes, formatting, pictures, slide layouts, transitions, slide numbers, and chart styles.
- Intermediate Microsoft Word skills, including headers, page breaks, page numbers, tables, and adjusting table columns.
- Willingness to travel up to 10% of the time for business purposes, within state and out of state.
Nice To Haves
- Experience coaching, mentoring, and training staff.
- At least 2 years of experience negotiating deals.
- Experience in financial planning and analysis.
Responsibilities
- Manage ongoing supplier relationships for assigned categories, identify opportunities to improve or revise the supply base, resolve supplier complaints, hold regular supplier meetings, and implement supplier improvement strategies.
- Under the direction of the Category Manager, develop and execute category sourcing strategies, including RFI and RFP events, supplier correspondence, selection criteria, negotiations, and ongoing supplier management.
- Assist in developing and implementing business plans, performance goals, and metrics for assigned categories.
- Collaborate with Operations, Legal, Supply Chain, and other teams on cross-functional sourcing opportunities; identify process improvements and research industry trends and best practices.
- Collaborate on inventory control and product lifecycle activities, assist with project management of sourcing activities, and suggest ways to reduce product and service costs.
- Track and report assigned spend areas, support supplier KPI tracking with the Category Manager, and perform data analysis and modeling.
- Participate in weekly cross-functional category review meetings to manage category performance.
- Support category performance management by adhering to savings goals, reviewing financial models for commodity-type items, and helping balance recurring managed spend through coordinated sourcing across Expanse and Capital work streams.
- Monitor supplier performance to ensure delivery dates and technical and contractual requirements are met.
- Participate in strategic meetings with suppliers and business leaders to support execution of defined strategies.
- Support team morale, motivation, and loyalty through training, mentorship, clear communication, and constructive feedback.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Entry Level
