Category Manager - Clinical, Laboratory & Med/Surg

Stanford Health Care•Palo Alto, CA

39d•$65 - $86•Hybrid

About The Position

The Category Manager, Clinical, Laboratory & Med/Surg Category Management is responsible for developing and executing sourcing and category strategies across a portfolio of medical, surgical, procedural, research, physician preference item (PPI), and clinical supply categories for Stanford Health Care and affiliated entities. This role drives value through strategic sourcing, contract optimization, supplier performance management, product standardization, and cost reduction initiatives while ensuring an optimal balance of quality, patient outcomes, service, availability, and total cost of ownership. Partnering closely with Physicians, Clinicians, Value Analysis (Value Based Management) teams, Supply Chain, Finance, Operations, and other key stakeholders, the Category Manager identifies opportunities to improve utilization, standardize products, reduce variation, and deliver measurable financial and operational results. The role leads complex sourcing via RFx initiatives, supports new product and technology evaluations, negotiates supplier agreements, analyzes spend and market data, and manages strategic supplier relationships across assigned clinical categories. The role is also responsible for facilitating product conversions and consolidations to support contractual agreements, in partnership with other departments within Supply Chain and clinicians. Reporting to the Manager, Category Management, this position serves as a trusted advisor who applies strong emotional intelligence, business acumen, and influence skills to build stakeholder alignment, navigate competing priorities, and drive evidence-based decision-making. Success in this role requires a collaborative leader who can effectively engage physicians, clinicians, and business leaders to achieve sustainable value, support clinical excellence, and advance organizational objectives. Ideal candidate will have demonstrated experience and sourcing success within any of the med-surg or PPI categories within a large health system or an academic medical center.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in a work-related discipline/field from an accredited college or university
Five (5) years of related work experience in Value Analysis, Contract Administration, Vendor Management or Purchasing.
Ability to apply judgment and make informed decisions
Ability to communicate effectively
Ability to conduct analysis and formulate conclusions
Ability to demonstrate an end-to-end knowledge of Supply Chain processes
Ability to understand financial statement
Ability to demonstrate the understanding of the impact of implementing new price agreements
Ability to effectively prioritize work and meet deadlines in a fast paced environment
Ability to foster effective working relationships and build consensus
Ability to manage numerous central and offsite order and supply systems for the hospitals and clinics
Ability to plan, organize, prioritize, work independently and meet deadlines
Knowledge of computer systems and software used in functional area
Knowledge of general store keeping, inventory and stock control methods
Knowledge of hospital billing systems and hospital rate file structures
Knowledge of local, state and federal regulatory requirements related to areas of functional responsibility
Knowledge of new technologies (in specific field) and maintain and stay abreast of updates and changes
Knowledge of specialized medical and surgical supplies and equipment, primarily of a disposable nature
Knowledge of Sterile Processing and case cart systems
Adheres to HIPAA and BAA requirements.
Facilitates implementation of new or modified policies and procedures based on hospital best practices and compliance with Federal, State, and regulatory agencies. Ensures policies are followed across the organization through education to hospital departments and coordination with Finance, Compliance, Office of General Counsel, and Risk Management.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration.
Supply chain management or category management experience with a hospital or healthcare system.

Responsibilities

Negotiates pricing and contracts for products, product groups and services in collaboration with operational business leaders.
Provide category and spend informatics support for the analysis and execution of business, financial, and operational data that will be utilized to develop opportunities for changes in process and operations to include standardization and utilization of resources (supplies, equipment, services, people, etc.).
Acts as day to day point of contact for Group Purchasing Organization (GPO) and other supplier representatives.
Responsible for timely generation of LOCs, contract activations and GPO Tier analysis and optimization.
Develops RFIs, RFQs and RFPs for services and products, including bid specifications, terms and conditions, bid evaluation and vendor selection.
Incorporates appropriate terms and conditions into final contract documentation, ensuring adherence and compliance to all contractual, financial, Local and regulatory specifications or requirements.
Audits contracts to ensure compliance to current group purchasing organization (GPO) agreements.
Supports SHC and LPCH Vendor Management related policies, including audits to ensure vendor compliance and assess vendor performance.
Works closely with key stakeholders to develop effective cost reduction strategies
Analyzes assigned products, services and contracts with the goal of attaining the best value decision.
Coordinates efforts of a team of analysts and data specialists which provide supporting services to the Category Management group
Assists in managing the catalog and contracts information within Master Data Management
Supports Value Based Selection program, Patient Care VAT and Standard Operating Procedure framework
Conducts contract administration, price analysis and negotiation
Creates strategies as well as tactical planning around the implementation of process and technology changes
Monitors and evaluates contract volume, supply chain information system performance, purchasing volume and flow, and value based selection reporting and outcomes; provides input to director of sourcing and implements changes and enhancements.
Divides category into strategic market segments and through a comprehensive market analysis (to include review of corporate financial reports, analyst calls and bleeding edge technology and product changes) develops near, mid and long range strategies for each market segment within a category of spend.
Utilizes all available tools to gain market knowledge and to access best pricing of assigned categories, including but not limited to ECRI, Spendlink and other benchmarking and analysis services.
Identifies and implements Non-Labor Spend savings initiatives
Documents and communicates the savings success and engages end users in needed process change or product conversion.
Adheres to HIPAA and BAA requirements.
Facilitates implementation of new or modified policies and procedures based on hospital best practices and compliance with Federal, State, and regulatory agencies. Ensures policies are followed across the organization through education to hospital departments and coordination with Finance, Compliance, Office of General Counsel, and Risk Management.
Develops relationships with and regularly engages with Clinicians, Operational Business Leaders, External Service Providers and key suppliers to ensure end-to-end engagement necessary to develop the collaboration necessary for spend and performance optimization.
Implements performance measures and quality measures to ensure high service levels while maintaining cost effectiveness.
Develops and mentors staff so that they are continuously challenged to add value through their actions and to embody a customer service spirit.
Regularly presents to internal and external stakeholders.
Performs other related and incidental duties as needed or assigned.