Sr. Category Manager, Clinical Goods and Services

Aspen Dental•Chicago, IL

1d•$140,000 - $170,000

About The Position

The Aspen Group (TAG) is a large retail healthcare business support organization serving over 15,000 healthcare professionals and team members across 1,000+ health and wellness offices in 46 states. TAG supports four consumer-facing businesses: Aspen Dental, ClearChoice Dental Implant Centers, WellNow Urgent Care, and Chapter Aesthetic Studio. This role is within the accounting team and focuses on managing the procurement of clinical goods and services.

Requirements

Thorough understanding of contracting principles and contract structure, with competencies in corporate professional services and related areas.
Strong leadership and team-building skills to integrate and motivate people from different organizations.
Adept at communicating with vendors and internal business partners to establish and maintain credibility for the sourcing function.
Skilled in negotiating, renegotiating, and administering contracts with suppliers and vendors.
Capable and experienced in negotiating large-scale, enterprise-wide supplier agreements.
Ability to develop, coordinate, and control multiple processes and/or projects, achieving on-time contracting services.
Excellent oral communication skills to convey technical information to both internal and external sources, including non-technical audiences.
Excellent written communication skills to effectively and accurately convey detailed and complex information regarding contract specifications, policies, and procedures.
Experience in effectively establishing procurement strategy and decision criteria and in bringing decisions to closure.
Proficiency in MS Office including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
Experience working with E-Sourcing Platforms, and Access or other database tools.
Ability to maintain a high level of customer service in a work environment with numerous competing demands.
Able to comfortably interface with all levels of Management, inside and outside the organization.
Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Supply Chain, Accounting, or Engineering.
7+ years of related experience in supply chain management, procurement, or project management with an emphasis on strategic sourcing.
Demonstrated experience sourcing materials and services for major projects in a fast-paced environment.

Nice To Haves

MBA or equivalent background is preferred.
Professional purchasing certification or Lean Six-Sigma is desirable.

Responsibilities

Align and collaborate with the Chief Medical Officer and other business executives to understand business strategy and develop strategic sourcing strategies for optimal value in purchasing goods and services.
Lead and support contract negotiations with key suppliers to improve cost, quality, delivery, diversity, and safety.
Lead and coach internal business partners and team members on the sourcing process, which includes gathering requirements, market analysis, identifying sources, RF(x) management, proposal evaluation, negotiations, contract creation, contract management, spend analysis, and long-term category planning.
Lead cross-functional teams (business managers, legal, risk management, information security, etc.) to coordinate company sourcing activities.
Build and analyze financial models to evaluate proposal scenarios and present recommendations.
Provide regular communication to Business and Supply Chain leadership on project status, contract renewals, category performance, and initiatives.
Create and maintain documentation in adherence with policy for internal and external audit requirements.