Sourcing Lead

Horizon Healthcare Services•Newark, NJ

About The Position

Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey empowers our members to achieve their best health. For over 90 years, we have been New Jersey’s health solutions leader driving innovations that improve health care quality, affordability, and member experience. Our members are our neighbors, our friends, and our families. It is this understanding that drives us to better serve and care for the 3.5 million people who place their trust in us. We pride ourselves on our best-in-class employees and strive to maintain an innovative and inclusive environment that allows them to thrive. When our employees bring their best and succeed, the Company succeeds. This position is responsible for researching and developing sources of supply for various commodities and delivering corporate-wide sourcing savings that meet or exceed fiscal year targets. The incumbent provides overall leadership of cross-organizational teams that develop and execute sourcing initiatives. This position develops policies, procedures and drives cost management methodologies and practices throughout the organization. The position partners with Legal Affairs and divisional vendor management groups in the selection, development, and negotiation of high dollar value/high risk contracts. Serve as a strategic partner to key business leaders, addressing needs and challenges while securing support for sourcing and cost‑management initiatives. Drive continuous improvement of procurement processes across the enterprise to enhance efficiency and effectiveness. Partner with internal stakeholders to integrate procurement policies, procedures, and best practices into routine business operations. Support the development and execution of the overall commodity strategy, identifying opportunities for improvement, optimization, and expansion. Provide oversight for enterprise‑wide sourcing projects throughout the full sourcing lifecycle. Lead cross‑functional sourcing initiatives, including new contracts, onboarding new suppliers, managing demand or specification changes, and implementing workflow enhancements. Analyze procurement data—including cost analysis, benchmarking, spend analysis, and competitive bid information—to drive value, maximize supplier ROI, and inform strategic sourcing decisions. Manage supplier selection activities, leveraging RFx tools and processes to support strategic sourcing and ensure adherence to timelines. Build and maintain strong supplier relationships by applying supplier‑management best practices throughout negotiation, contracting, onboarding, performance evaluation, and renewal cycles. Collaborate with the Manager, Sourcing & Supplier Management to develop annual sourcing and cost‑management plans. Serve as an escalation point and mentor for junior team members, providing guidance and leadership as needed. Support the Sourcing Manager and/or Director with special projects and additional responsibilities as assigned. Promote inclusion of local and diverse suppliers by actively sourcing from community organizations, chambers, and networks, and by advocating for their engagement with internal business partners.

Requirements

Minimum Highschool diploma or GED
Minimum 8 years of experience in strategic sourcing or procurement
Minimum 5 years of experience in RFP development and contract negotiation
Proven experience leading complex contract negotiations
Strong background in IT sourcing, including IT professional services and IT security
Strong analytical thinking and problem‑solving abilities
Excellent oral, written, listening, and interpersonal communication skills
Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications
Familiarity with eProcurement tools such as Workday, Icertis, or Cognos
Exceptional project management skills, with experience leading large, complex initiatives with multiple interdependent workstreams
Strong negotiation capabilities with proven success in high‑impact contracting
Detail‑oriented, self‑motivated, and capable of working independently
Ability to consult with business partners to define requirements and guide sourcing strategy
Customer‑focused mindset with outstanding relationship‑building skills
Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and perform effectively in a fast‑paced, on‑demand environment
Advanced understanding of contract negotiation strategies, principles, and processes
Horizon BCBSNJ employees must live in New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Connecticut or Delaware

Nice To Haves

Prefers an MBA degree.
Certified Purchasing Supply Manager ( CPSM )
Project Management Professional ( PMP )
Knowledge of the healthcare industry, legal contracting practices, finance, technology, and Workday

Responsibilities

Researching and developing sources of supply for various commodities.
Delivering corporate-wide sourcing savings that meet or exceed fiscal year targets.
Providing overall leadership of cross-organizational teams that develop and execute sourcing initiatives.
Developing policies, procedures and drives cost management methodologies and practices throughout the organization.
Partnering with Legal Affairs and divisional vendor management groups in the selection, development, and negotiation of high dollar value/high risk contracts.
Serving as a strategic partner to key business leaders, addressing needs and challenges while securing support for sourcing and cost‑management initiatives.
Driving continuous improvement of procurement processes across the enterprise to enhance efficiency and effectiveness.
Partnering with internal stakeholders to integrate procurement policies, procedures, and best practices into routine business operations.
Supporting the development and execution of the overall commodity strategy, identifying opportunities for improvement, optimization, and expansion.
Providing oversight for enterprise‑wide sourcing projects throughout the full sourcing lifecycle.
Leading cross‑functional sourcing initiatives, including new contracts, onboarding new suppliers, managing demand or specification changes, and implementing workflow enhancements.
Analyzing procurement data—including cost analysis, benchmarking, spend analysis, and competitive bid information—to drive value, maximize supplier ROI, and inform strategic sourcing decisions.
Managing supplier selection activities, leveraging RFx tools and processes to support strategic sourcing and ensure adherence to timelines.
Building and maintaining strong supplier relationships by applying supplier‑management best practices throughout negotiation, contracting, onboarding, performance evaluation, and renewal cycles.
Collaborating with the Manager, Sourcing & Supplier Management to develop annual sourcing and cost‑management plans.
Serving as an escalation point and mentor for junior team members, providing guidance and leadership as needed.
Supporting the Sourcing Manager and/or Director with special projects and additional responsibilities as assigned.
Promoting inclusion of local and diverse suppliers by actively sourcing from community organizations, chambers, and networks, and by advocating for their engagement with internal business partners.