Sr. Manager, Sourcing

Blue Shield of California•Oakland, CA

About The Position

Your Role The Senior Manager will lead the development, operation, and continuous improvement of Procurement Operations and the Procurement Center of Excellence (CoE), with a strong emphasis on digital transformation and AI-driven innovation. This role is critical in modernizing procurement processes, leveraging advanced technologies, and enabling strategic initiatives that support enterprise sourcing objectives. The Senior Manager will oversee day-to-day procurement operations (including back-office support), manage technology platforms, and champion best practices across people, processes, and tools. This position requires a visionary leader who can integrate automation, analytics, and AI capabilities into procurement workflows to drive efficiency, scalability, and data-driven decision-making. Responsibilities Your Work In this role, you will:

Requirements

Requires a Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience; MBA preferred
Requires a minimum of 8 years in procurement, operations management, or CoE leadership, with a proven track record of driving transformation projects from conception to implementation
Requires a minimum of 3 years of prior management experience
Deep understanding of end-to-end procurement processes, P2P workflows, shared services, and outsourced operations.
Demonstrated success in implementing process improvements that deliver measurable results
Strong knowledge of internal controls, SOX compliance, and ethical procurement practices
Experienced in maintaining audit readiness and addressing findings promptly
Proficient in procurement and ERP systems (e.g., Coupa, Oracle, Workday), reporting tools (Excel, BI platforms), and collaboration tools (DocuSign, SharePoint)
Ability to lead implementation of AI, automation, and emerging technologies
Proven ability to build and manage high-performing teams, set vision, and foster collaboration
Skilled in coaching, mentoring, and performance management
Excellent written and verbal communication skills; adept at presenting to senior leadership and influencing stakeholders
Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities
Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment and deliver strategic initiatives that drive enterprise sourcing objectives

Nice To Haves

Prior experience in healthcare, financial services, or other regulated industries preferred
Familiarity with Lean or Six Sigma methodologies is a plus

Responsibilities

Provide leadership for Procurement Operations and the Procurement CoE, guiding people, process, and technology strategies.
Drive procurement transformation toward an AI-enabled, digital-first vision.
Serve as a procurement integrator, maintaining an end-to-end process view across the organization.
Manage end-to-end documentation lifecycle for procurement processes and policies, including drafting, release, updates, and version control, ensuring consistency and accessibility across the organization.
Manage and oversee all back-office outsourced operations that support procurement.
Propose, maintain, and enforce procurement policies and standards.
Monitor and optimize procurement processes using automation and AI tools to enhance efficiency and compliance.
Develop and track procurement KPIs and performance targets using advanced analytics.
Create management scorecards and executive-level reports leveraging predictive insights.
Procurement Transformation: Develop and execute a comprehensive procurement transformation roadmap aligned with the company’s strategic objectives.
Champion initiatives to streamline end-to-end procurement processes, improve productivity, and elevate service quality.
Leverage Lead procurement transformation initiatives, including AI adoption and process digitization.
Develop and implement communication plans; evaluate effectiveness of messaging.
Provide change leadership coaching to procurement management and category managers.
Develop training and change management materials for cross-functional deployment.
Champion the use of AI, machine learning, and predictive analytics to improve sourcing strategies and operational performance.
Drive system and process improvements to enable real-time insights and automation.
Provide data analysis and reporting to support strategic decision-making.
Define, implement, and enforce procurement policies and procedural standards across the organization.
Ensure ongoing compliance with internal company guidelines and all relevant external regulations.
Oversee all audits (internal and external) related to procurement processes and policies, coordinating audit planning, evidence collection, and responses.
Maintain comprehensive documentation and strong internal controls to ensure procurement is always audit-ready and compliant.
Promptly address any audit findings with corrective action plans to strengthen the control environment.
Prepare clear and concise reports, presentations, and executive updates on procurement activities, achievements, and plans.
Communicate the progress of key initiatives, policy changes, and performance results to stakeholders at various levels of the organization.
Develop communication materials and forums (such as newsletters or town halls) to keep the broader organization informed about procurement processes, tools, and how-to’s, thereby increasing transparency and user engagement.
Build and lead a high-performing procurement team, potentially including procurement operations staff and analysts within the CoE.
Set clear performance goals, provide regular feedback, and cultivate a supportive team culture that values excellence, collaboration, and innovation.
Mentor and coach team members to develop their skills and advance their careers – for example, by providing opportunities to take on stretch projects or specialized training.
Lead by example, demonstrating integrity, inclusivity, and a strong work ethic.
Recognize successes and address performance issues with fairness and clarity.
Foster a positive, collaborative, and high-performing team culture.