Sr. Category Manager

Northwestern Mutual

3d•Hybrid

About The Position

About the Role: This position is responsible for the development and implementation of category strategies through strategic planning, market and data analysis, and tracking of category and supplier performance. The role is also responsible for managing complex categories to drive company growth and maximize value for NM. This position is responsible for participating in and supporting the procurement, contracting, and supplier management activities related to business critical initiatives, targeting the best value for Northwestern Mutual. These cross divisional initiatives may include specialized insurance products/services, Business Process Outsourcing (BPO), Information Technology categories such as services/software/equipment/telecom, and other commodity categories. Also responsible for making recommendations to Sourcing and Procurement management team to enhance business process initiatives

Requirements

Bachelors Degree in Supply Chain, Business, Finance and/or Engineering AND 3 years business experience in financial/supply chain operations/contract management OR 7 years of financial/supply chain operations/contract management experience
Required experience: 1) Contract management and administration, 2) Procurement, 3) Financial Analysis
Skills required: 1) Research and analytical skills, including conducting stakeholder interviews, 2) Conflict resolution, 3) Listening and clear and concise interpersonal, verbal and written communication, 4) Presentation development and delivery, 5) Technology proficiency (e.g. Zip, Peoplesoft, eProcurement, etc)
PC Proficiency to include MS Office
Drive business results, within established parameters, with minimal management direction and assistance
Function in ambiguous and/or time sensitive situations

Nice To Haves

Preferred Experience: 1) Category Management, 2) Procurement, 3) Project Management, 4) Negotiation
Knowledge of Northwestern Mutual organization
Skills Preferred: 1) Presentation development and delivery, 2) Technology proficiency (e.g. Zip, SpendHQ, etc)

Responsibilities

Support category management strategy planning for vendor rationalization, demand management, and other proactive opportunity activities
Participate in the analysis of internal and external market data to develop risk assessments, competitive intelligence, best practices, etc. related to categories
Identify and recommend sourcing (including outsourcing) opportunities to NM leaders
Develop relationships with key suppliers to improve category offerings and negotiate favorable terms
Evaluate customer feedback and implement changes to enhance overall business experience
Independently lead and accurately complete Pricing/Financial Analysis, Market Assessments, RFQ, RFI, RFP's, TCO/Make vs. Buy in accordance with established sourcing processes for the acquisition of goods and services and recommend specific sourcing strategies to Procurement management.
Utilized prepared analyses to develop sourcing, negotiation, contracting and vendor management strategies and processes
Conduct analyses of disparate internal and external data related to sourcing events and draw conclusions to make recommendations to management to develop risk assessments, competitive intelligence, best practices, etc.
Developed, with management input, financial/analytical models to support the sourcing function
Gather 3rd party secondary research to formulate fact based inquires senior business leaders for requirements, historical spend and anticipated future spend
Participate in the documentation of workflows associated with total cost ownership analysis in support of sourcing projects (?)
Prepare and use reports, perform spend analysis and benchmark category spend to develop proposed action plans.
Interview and document Serve as a team member and safeguard all contracts as a part of the contract administration function.
Develop, negotiate terms, process, incorporate mandated terms and track business requirement changes to contracts as recommended by Law, Audit, Vendor Risk Management, customers, and other key stakeholders to ensure changes are incorporated into final execution copies per established contracting processes/policies.
Understand triggers and secure Agreements based on business and contracting requirements.
Ensure compliance with NM policies and procedures
Independently lead and accurately complete NDA, PDSA, BAA, SOW, SOW, and all master agreements