Senior Category Manager

Raymond James•Saint Petersburg, FL

2d•Hybrid

About The Position

Under limited supervision, uses extensive knowledge and skills obtained through education and experience, leveraging proven sourcing experience, supply market intelligence, thought leadership, strategic thinking, negotiation and contracting and supplier relationship management skills to develop and implement procurement strategies that minimize Total Cost of Ownership while prioritizing stakeholder service. Ensures business requirements are fulfilled, risks are mitigated, and value is optimized across business units. Extensive contact with senior management is required to provide comprehensive solutions to complex problems or needs.

Requirements

Knowledge of: Strategic sourcing and procurement processes, policies, governance, and compliance mechanisms.
Knowledge of: Category(s) to be managed.
Knowledge of: Supplier relationship management/vendor management inclusive of forming strategic partnerships and managing to requirements for regulatory compliance.
Knowledge of: Leveraged AI and automation tools to enhance procurement efficiency, reduce cycle times, and drive business value.
Knowledge of: Supplier Diversity program and practices.
Knowledge of: Outsourcing and offshoring in order to define and execute a strategic program to leverage these resources.
Knowledge of: Change management.
Knowledge of: Organizational working structure, policies, mission, and strategies.
Knowledge of: Project management methodology.
Knowledge of: Financial markets, their required products and services, and corresponding regulations.
Knowledge of: Performance management.
Skill in: Building strategies, managing category, and implementing procurement best practices, including supplier selection via RFI/RFQ/RFP, negotiations, contracting, and supplier evaluation, management, and development.
Skill in: Provide leadership, directions, and influence for internal and external stakeholders leveraging strategies of Purchase Demand Management, Supply Base Management, and Total Cost Management.
Skill in: Thinking critically and structuring analysis to solve poorly defined problems.
Skill in: Negotiating enterprise-wide agreements that accommodate current and future business objectives, financial/accounting principles, and industry leading practices.
Skill in: Knowledge of AI-powered procurement technologies, automation tools, and analytics platforms to improve sourcing, contracting, and operational performance.
Skill in: Establishing personal credibility.
Skill in: Interpreting and applying policies and procedures.
Skill in: Establishing departmental and/or category(s) objectives.
Skill in: Identifying trends and implementing appropriate corrective action.
Ability to: Benchmark the organization’s current state and develop plans for leading and managing the organization’s procurement of the category(s) to higher levels of maturity in ways that are both consistent with company culture and financial industry performance metrics.
Ability to: Establish a consistent methodology for managing supplier performance, assessing and mitigating risk, driving continuous improvement, and developing high-quality supplier relationships.
Ability to: Represent organizational business needs to a diverse supply base.
Ability to: Work and drive change in complex team, growth, and entrepreneurial environments.
Ability to: Interface, influence, articulate, and present at the highest corporate levels inside and outside of the company.
Ability to: Comprehend the big picture and communicate a clear visionary business plan.
Ability to: Convert complex ideas into real executable action steps, with a focus on results.
Ability to: Work independently.
Ability to: Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, with all organizational levels, including senior management.
Ability to: Lead meetings and contribute to team efforts by ensuring all relevant information is included in the outcomes.
Ability to: Leverage AI and automation tools to optimize procurement workflows, accelerate decision-making, and deliver measurable business value.
Ability to: May lead the work of others.
Ability to: Identify training needs and develop subordinates.
Ability to: Organize, manage, and track multiple detailed tasks and assignments with frequently changing priorities and deadlines in a fast-paced work environment with frequent interruptions.
Ability to: Solicit and respond to customer feedback.
Bachelor’s Degree (B.A.) in Business, Supply Chain, Engineering, or related field and eight (8) years’ experience in strategic sourcing, procurement, and vendor management.
Any equivalent combination of experience, education, and/or training approved by Human Resources.

Nice To Haves

Certified Professional in Supply Management (CPSM) or Certified Purchasing Manager (CPM) from ISM or similar from Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply preferred.

Responsibilities

Lead procurement (i.e., sourcing and contracting) of one or more specialized category or service areas (Subscription-Based and Professional Services Agreements are preferred).
Identify, develop, and manage strategic business relationships and gain a comprehensive understanding of business requirements, by working closely with stakeholders and team members to develop strategies/plans and during execution.
Manage governance and control programs with respect to select categories to ensure business supply continuity, protect company assets, and comply with corporate and regulatory policies and contractual compliance.
Maintains appropriate technical and industry knowledge for their category(s) under management.
Leads cross functional teams through gathering requirements, category strategy development, strategic sourcing, and supplier negotiation, contracting and on boarding processes.
Participates in joint meetings with internal business clients to assist in procurement forecasting, demand management, requirements development and identification of possible purchasing channels and sources.
Assists internal business clients with developing and reviewing statements of work, service level agreements, contractual terms, and conditions (inclusive of usage, pricing, delivery, acceptance, payment, warranty, etc.
Leads the development, implementation, and alignment of sourcing strategies and supplier network capabilities for specific commodities, services and initiatives that complement and support key business objectives.
Leads, either individually or with team members, sourcing initiatives ranging from $100K-$1M+ in spend from pre-RFP through post purchase/implementation supplier performance reviews.
Understands and applies advanced or innovation-based sourcing strategies including those that require alternate business structures, new technology and/or process changes.
Builds and maintains profiles/overview of key current and potential suppliers in support of Vendor Management.
Negotiates contractual business requirements and Service Level Agreements (SLAs).
Identify, evaluate, and implement AI and automation solutions that streamline procurement processes, improve efficiency, and support business objectives.
Conducts periodic performance reviews with management of key suppliers and business stakeholders across the firm based on an understanding of the Total Cost of Ownership over the lifecycle of both products and services.
Provides market research and overview for third-party supplier/vendor relationships for managed category(s).
Tracks performance to operating plans, budgets, and forecasts.
Responsible for decisions regarding selection, retention, evaluation, and development of the key and diverse suppliers used to provide the goods and services needed by the firm.
Develops and presents recommendations/memorandums of approval of suppliers and/or purchases to executive management.
Assists in training and mentoring of staff members.
Performs other duties and responsibilities as assigned.