Senior Director, Category Management

Cushman & Wakefield•Nashville, TN

1d•$187,000 - $220,000•Onsite

About The Position

We are seeking a highly knowledgeable and experienced Senior Director, Category Management to lead our Facilities Category Management team. The ideal candidate will possess deep expertise in procurement of Integrated Facilities Management (IFM) services and products such as janitorial, HVAC, landscaping & fleet management services along with maintenance, repair & operations (MRO) supplies. The Senior Director will have knowledge including pricing strategies (to ensure cost-effective solutions without compromising quality) and knowledge of industry best practices and emerging trends to continuously improve delivery to C&W’s clients. This role involves providing guidance and strategy to a team of Category Managers, developing Category Management program materials, and leading the development of a robust preferred supplier program. This role requires strong leadership, excellent organizational skills, the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and the ability to consult and understand C&W business units and our client’s needs. This role is instrumental in delivering value to Cushman & Wakefield’s clients through leveraging the Company’s aggregated spend across the client base in order to negotiate best in class rates and contractual terms. Procurement is a cornerstone of Cushman & Wakefield’s value proposition to clients and the Senior Director, Category Management or members of the team may accompany Cushman & Wakefield executives on new client pitches and existing client quarterly business reviews to highlight the bottom-line benefits that our group delivers. As such, the Director will also work with Marketing to develop methods to highlight capabilities and category accomplishments to clients by leading development of white papers / case studies and updating internal and external Cushman & Wakefield website platforms.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in business or a related field preferred
15+ years of category management or procurement experience, must have in depth knowledge of IFM categories.
10+ years of experience leading and developed high‑performing teams through coaching, performance management, and clear goal-setting to drive consistent results and employee growth
Professional certifications preferred e.g., CPM/CPSM, CSCP/CTSC, CSP/CSMP, PMP or evidence of continued professional growth
Knowledge of effective supplier risk management techniques
Ability to effectively train and mentor others.
Ability to identify and creatively resolve issues related to service delivery.
Ability to communicate effectively at all levels of an organization.
Ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines effectively.
Ability to lead & manage others to achieve successful outcomes.
Continuous improvement & Innovativeness
Self-starter
Effective Communication & presentation skills
Business Influence, interviewing and active listening
C&W DRIVE Values: Driven, Resilient, Inclusive Visionary and Entrepreneurial

Responsibilities

Leads a multi-level Category Management team while creating a working environment that encourages high performance and innovation.
Provides coaching and direction to enable creation and delivery of dynamic category strategies & the associated preferred suppliers to enable high-value service delivery.
Flexibility, adaptability & conflict resolution to enable the delivery of client, procurement C&W goals.
Promotes compliance with C&W’s code of conduct and DRIVE Values.
Navigates a matrixed organization where stakeholders are in different business lines, functions or projects.
Responsible for working with procurement business partners and service line leadership to align category management vision with service line and procurement priorities.
Drives EBITDA growth through C&W’s preferred suppliers.
Analyze current Category Management & preferred supplier program to identify areas for improvement, innovation & efficiency, increased client experience and cost reduction opportunities.
Incorporates industry best practices into category delivery.
Develops, monitors & communicates program metrics, builds roster to ensure capability to deliver across the service line portfolios, and monitors performance to ensure capability to meet account needs.
Ability to develop and understand data analytics to drive in depth analysis of client 3rd party spend.
Ensure effective commercial arrangements.
Leads a team that reinforces and maintains standards, processes and templates that enable sourcing delivery.
Develops and maintains strong relationships with corporate functions, business lines and procurement teams.
Works with business leaders to align Category Management strategies and potential suppliers to client needs and infuses our preferred supplier relationships into the way we work.
Develops and delivers comprehensive training programs for C&W and our clients, covering best practices, market trends and innovation.
Encourages creation and brings best in class ideas and approaches to the table for developing and executing category strategies and working within the supply market to ensure Cushman & Wakefield meets or exceeds their objectives.
Working with C&W Legal Counsel and Risk Management to ensure language to enable effective negotiations and risk mitigation.
Strong problem-solving skills and ability to utilize continuous improvement techniques.
Utilizes change management techniques to drive the development and utilization of a preferred supplier program.