Senior Category Analyst

Kemper•Chicago, IL

About The Position

Kemper is one of the nation’s leading specialized insurers. Our success is a direct reflection of the talented and diverse people who make a positive difference in the lives of our customers every day. We believe a high-performing culture, valuable opportunities for personal development and professional challenge, and a healthy work-life balance can be highly motivating and productive. Kemper’s products and services are making a real difference to our customers, who have unique and evolving needs. By joining our team, you are helping to provide an experience to our stakeholders that delivers on our promises. Job Summary: The Senior Category Analyst supports the execution of sourcing initiatives across a range of goods and services, contributing to enterprise cost optimization, risk mitigation, and compliance objectives. This role partners with internal stakeholders and external suppliers to manage sourcing processes, support negotiations, and ensure purchasing activities align with organizational standards. The ideal candidate is detail-oriented, organized, and comfortable working across functional areas.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, Finance, Economics, or a related field (or equivalent experience).
3–5 years of experience in sourcing, procurement, or contract support
Strong organizational and communication skills
Ability to work effectively with cross-functional teams and manage multiple priorities
Strong understanding of sourcing, negotiation and contract processes
Strong Analytical and problem-solving skills with attention to detail.
Excellent organizational, time management, and multitasking abilities.
Strong written and verbal communication skills.
High attention to detail and accuracy.
Ability to work collaboratively in a team environment at all levels
Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and data analysis tools.

Nice To Haves

Experience with data visualization tools (e.g., Power BI, Tableau).
Certification in procurement or supply chain (e.g., CPSM, CIPS).
Experience with e-sourcing and contract management tools.

Responsibilities

Category Strategy & Planning Partner with Stakeholders to develop and execute category strategies aligned with business goals and procurement policies.
Conduct detailed spend and supplier segmentation to identify cost-saving opportunities.
Support category planning by analyzing market trends, supplier risks, and innovation opportunities.
Strategic Sourcing & Supplier Management Facilitate sourcing processes (RFP, RFI, RFQ), from requirements gathering and supplier selection to negotiation and contract execution.
Negotiate pricing, terms, and service levels Ensure sourcing activities align with procurement policy and relevant insurance regulations.
Stakeholder Engagement Collaborate with internal business partners (Claims, Underwriting, IT, Finance, HR, Operations) to understand category requirements.
Provide analytical support and commercial advice to stakeholders and Category Managers.
Communicate insights clearly and influence decision-making through evidence-based recommendations.
Data, Reporting & Compliance Monitor category performance through spend analysis, savings tracking, and supplier KPIs.
Ensure sourcing practices meet internal policies and external regulatory requirements.