Category Leader

GTT•Oakland, CA

3d•Hybrid

About The Position

This role leads strategic sourcing and category management for mid-complexity IT spend categories, including software, hardware, and/or Telecom. The Category Leader, Expert develops and manages one or more sourcing spend categories and manages a delegated portion of Tier 1 and 2 Software, Telecom, and hardware contracts. The position develops strategic category plans to optimize cost savings, service excellence, diversity spend, and total cost of ownership for the categories. The role effectively influences Lines of Business (LOBs), including senior leadership, to achieve understanding, acceptance, and commitment of sourcing strategies, and works with LOBs to develop, source, and negotiate major contracts. The Category Leader, Expert plays a key role in the Supplier Relationship Management / Scorecard process.

Requirements

Ability to analyze and combine information from different sources and use logic to reach appropriate conclusions as needed to perform at the job level
Ability to apply contract processes and procedures and relevant contracts and licensing — for example ESC, IBEW, tort, contract law — as needed to perform at the job level
Ability to work independently with limited oversight
Knowledge of Microsoft Office Products — for example Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Access — as needed to perform at the job level
Competency in relating openly and comfortably with diverse groups of people
Competency in building partnerships and working collaboratively with others to meet shared objectives
Competency in building strong-identity teams that apply their diverse skills and perspectives to achieve common goals
Knowledge of the technical/functional aspects of the trade, occupation, or role as needed to perform at the job level
Ability to apply project management theories, concepts, methods, best practices, and techniques as needed to perform at the job level
Knowledge of database and information systems — for example SCADA, EMS, OMT, OIS, SAP, ERP, COSO, Teradata, COBIT, Question Mark — as needed to perform at the job level
Software, hardware, and/or Telecom sourcing experience
Ariba experience
Strong negotiation skills
Bachelor's Degree or equivalent experience (required)
Experience in supply chain, or related field — 7 years (minimum required)

Nice To Haves

Master's Degree in Business Administration or job-related discipline or equivalent experience (desired)
ISM — Institute for Supply Management CPSM (Certified Professional in Supply Management) certification (desired)
LSS — Lean Six Sigma Certification (desired)
Experience in contract management
Experience in strategic sourcing — 8 years
Experience in procurement, or related field — 8 years

Responsibilities

Conducts and documents market research and supplier risk analysis to verify the financial health of existing and potential suppliers
Creates and maintains category plans
Develops and reviews performance data with suppliers; works with suppliers to drive ongoing value discovery
Develops and sustains mutually beneficial strategic relationships with Tier 1 and 2 IT software and hardware suppliers
Leads cross-functional team through strategic sourcing process and development/execution of negotiation strategies for mid-complexity spend categories
Leads the development of category strategies of medium complexity
Maintains awareness of industry and market trends through ongoing research
Serves as subject matter expert for particular commodities or services