Category Manager IS and Corporate Services Procurement

College of American Pathologists•Northfield, IL

20d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Procurement Category Manager manages and oversees spend across Information Systems (IS) / Information Technology (IT) and Corporate Services, including HR services, Travel, Facilities Management, Marketing Services, and other Corporate Services. The role supports business partners through relationship management and identification of strategic business opportunities. It develops and implements procurement processes and strategies to help procurement operations run effectively, achieve organizational goals and performance KPIs, and provide quality programs and services to members and customers. The position supports supplier management and coordinates with suppliers and internal resources to drive continuous improvement. It models the organization’s Leadership Values of Partnership, Respect, Accountability, Communication, and Excellence, and promotes inclusive leadership with a focus on Belonging and Inclusion in hiring and staff decisions. The role requires travel when necessary, expected to be 5%–10%. Candidates must reside within 75 miles of Northfield, Illinois, and meet in-office requirements.

Requirements

5–10 years of combined experience in procurement, category management, and strategic sourcing; experience across IS/IT and other indirect goods and services is preferred.
5 years of experience managing complex indirect spend, including IS/IT and Corporate Services categories.
Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Business, Purchasing, Operations, or a related field.
Solid knowledge of strategic sourcing processes and category management and category strategy development.
Excellent communication skills and the ability to partner effectively and efficiently across the organization.
Strong organizational and leadership skills; ability to identify, navigate, and influence organizational direction.
Strategic leadership, analytical and critical-thinking skills, and problem-solving ability.
Strong internal and external negotiation skills.
Strong business acumen and ability to explain procurement results and variations to non-procurement audiences.
In-depth hands-on knowledge of IS/IT and Corporate Services spend, including HR services, Travel, Facilities Management, Marketing Services, and other Corporate Services.
Ability to recognize and handle confidential information.
Resource allocation and project management skills.
Business acumen in judgment and decision making.
Strong customer service orientation, including issue resolution and supplier relationship management skills.
Proficiency with PC-based software applications, including ERP systems.
In-depth knowledge of eSourcing tool capabilities and daily operations.
Must reside within 75 miles of Northfield, Illinois, and meet in-office requirements.

Nice To Haves

CPSM certification or equivalent preferred.
Procurement, category management, and strategic sourcing experience across IS/IT and other indirect goods and services preferred.

Responsibilities

Develop, implement, and maintain accountability for category management strategies across the spend in scope.
Develop, implement, and drive strategic sourcing initiatives to support the category management process.
Identify continuous improvement opportunities.
Maintain optimal pricing and services by reviewing the competitive landscape and industry norms and negotiating contract terms.
Assist contract managers and procurement business partners to ensure contract processes meet business needs through quality assessments, process audits, and stakeholder feedback.
Seek new opportunities and analyze risk to improve procurement effectiveness and reduce expenses, including reducing the cost of goods and services, incorporating new technology, and improving supply-base efficiencies.
Negotiate with suppliers and resolve issues.
Work cross-functionally with business partners across the organization to elevate the member and customer experience.
Promote a team approach and critical-thinking environment to facilitate problem solving, empower staff, and inspire trust.
Support ongoing supplier management efforts and coordinate with suppliers and internal resources to drive continuous improvement.
Model the organization’s Leadership Values and inclusive leadership, with a focus on Belonging and Inclusion in hiring and staff decisions.