Sourcing And Category Manager

Aston Carter•Minnetonka, MN

1d•$43 - $67•Hybrid

About The Position

As a Sourcing Manager, you will play a critical role in influencing strategy, driving innovation, and creating meaningful impacts across the organization. This position offers more than a traditional sourcing role; it involves assisting in the development and execution of category strategies to optimize cost, reduce risk, and strengthen vendor partnerships. You will leverage market insights, data-driven analysis, and best-in-class negotiation practices to ensure sourcing initiatives align with mission and business objectives. Collaborating with tenured leaders and cross-functional teams, you will manage sourcing projects and build relationships with vendors to deliver measurable results. This role requires working from the office on average three or more times per week.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience in Business, Supply Chain, or related field.
At least 4 years of experience in vendor management, procurement, or sourcing with a Bachelor's degree or 8 years of relevant experience without.
Strong understanding of contract lifecycle management and sourcing processes.
Experience working with experienced management across multiple teams and organizations.
Experience in large, cross-functional projects and programs.
Proficiency in vendor management tools, spend analysis, and Microsoft Suite (Excel, PowerPoint, Word, PowerBI).
Experience with compliance frameworks and risk management practices (ISO27001, SOC 2, HiTrust preferred).
Ability to manage multiple priorities and cross-functional stakeholders.
Experience sourcing in the healthcare industry, particularly with vendor services such as Payment Integrity, Clinical Operations, STARS, Affordability, and Actuarial services including Technology platforms.

Nice To Haves

Relevant sourcing certifications such as Certified Professional in Supply Management (CPSM), Certified Supply Chain Professional (CSCP).
Project management certifications such as PMP or equivalent.
Familiarity with procurement technologies and tools that support strategic sourcing and vendor management such as ZIP Procurement or ERP tools like ADP and Oracle.

Responsibilities

Assist in developing and implementing sourcing and category strategies to optimize cost, improve operations, and support objectives.
Analyze market trends, supplier capabilities, and cost drivers to create effective sourcing strategies, including contract terms and pricing models.
Coordinate and execute sourcing activities, anticipating needs, negotiating favorable terms, and ensuring these terms are reflected in supplier contracts.
Collaborate with business stakeholders to align sourcing plans with organizational goals, ensuring sourcing frameworks integrate seamlessly with project plans and P&L objectives.
Apply best practices across multiple categories using data-driven approaches such as industry benchmarking, competitive analysis, and spend reporting.
Manage sourcing projects using established processes and systems, ensuring consistency, efficiency, and compliance with standards.
Monitor vendor performance and mitigate risks by ensuring proper documentation and adherence to business standards are achieved during the sourcing lifecycle.
Drive cost reduction initiatives and track measurable outcomes in collaboration with stakeholders via regular meetings.
Effectively manage multiple priorities and projects in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.