Procurement Category Manager

Position Summary This role will be responsible for managing sourcing and procurement of one or more procurement categories. Categories are aligned to departments and or function. The candidate needs to be able to show value by providing cost savings and cost avoidance while transforming the function by working collaboratively with stakeholders on subcategory plans and providing differentiated processes based on risk and enabling business-led buying.

Primary Responsibilities The individual in this position will be responsible for the following:

Objectives

Align department objectives and associated metrics with those of the business unit (may be one or more of the following It, Product, Marketing, Demand Generation, Events, Sales, Finance, Legal, HR).

Strategy

Develop, through a collaborative and inclusive approach, a global IT sourcing and procurement strategy that delivers against IT and business strategy priorities and translates IT and business imperatives into effective IT sourcing strategies and

procurement strategies

.

Develop and mature key sourcing and procurement competencies, such as business relationship management,

stakeholder collaboration

, category and subcategory planning, best practices for negotiation, analytics, project management, finance, and communication.

E

volve sourcing and procurement into strategic functions.

Communications

Present all pertinent

vendor

and/or industry trends to stakeholders and propose updates and improvements to existing strategies.

Manage the communication process with vendors, including what information should be communicated, when and by whom, to ensure that appropriate leverage is preserved.

Market Intelligence

Keep abreast of industry trends that have an impact on the business unit sourcing strategy, through external advisory services, internal procurement and vendor management teams and good working relationships with existing and emerging strategic vendors used by the enterprise.

Identify the drivers, shifts, market dynamics and trends to advise the business stakeholders of the most effective sourcing and procurement

strategies

across spend categories.

Identify and leverage relevant third-party market intelligence sources.

Execution

Work closely with stakeholders (to lead major sourcing programs.

Drive the sourcing and procurement strateg

ies

for products, services, and solutions.

Identify cost optimization opportunities across the company/globe and present a concise business case/plan to stakeholders.

Advance the organization's skills that support business agility, speed, and risk management, through automation or the adoption of new technology and leveraging internal and external data sources.

Engage the business to understand business drivers, demand, risk appetite and environmental factors that influence the development and maintenance of the business unit sourcing strategy.

Understand and adopt agile, pragmatic and fast-track principles into sourcing best practices.

Provide proactive, high-value procurement and contract negotiation consultation to the business through thorough understanding of the business needs.

Manage the tools required to capture and analyze relevant data and information.

Deliver best-in-class technology products and services with the right balance of cost control, risk mitigation and speed.

Lead the negotiation strategy and negotiation team for IT contracts.

Lead the evaluation of optimal sourcing and pricing options, taking into consideration outsourcing/cloud, hybrid, and insourcing models.

Serve as a point of escalation for vendor issues and disputes and drive those issues to resolution.

Develop and manage agile processes that support what procurement manages and what the business manages.

Support team training and continuous improvement, along with team and individual metrics and KPIs.

Skills These skills are required for the position:

Demonstrates accountability.

Strong analytical skills.

Influence and drive change.

Collaborate with stakeholders at various levels of the organization from staff level to senior executives

Trusted advisor and participant in business initiatives.

Strong stakeholder-influencing skills.

Superb relationship-building skills in complex vendor and internal customer relationship environments.

Executive presence and comfort interacting with both internal senior leaders and vendor senior leaders.

Drives discussions with senior leaders.

Excellent interpersonal communication and presentation skills at the senior executive level.

Demonstrates integrity through their actions.

Strong negotiation skills.

Knowledgeable in technology contract terms and legal issues.

Ability to manage conflict and resolve effectively.

Results focused.

Influence and negotiate outcomes with senior leadership and maintain collaborative relationships with them. Trusted advisor on areas of expertise.

Ability to make appropriate decisions and escalate when required.

These skills are desired for the position:

Knowledge of business-case development.

Knowledge of financial analysis and management.

Knowledge of the sources of data and analytics to support the development and execution of sourcing strategies.

Superb problem-solving skills in complex vendor and internal customer relationship environments.

Looks to resolve the root cause, not just the specific problem.

Ability to determine appropriate levels of risk acceptance.

Success Criteria

Contribution in driving major initiatives to achieve IT and business goals on time and within budget.

Create an effective data-driven culture.

Early engagement in initiatives and being actively involved throughout the business and IT cycles.

Recognition of the team's functions as strategic business capabilities to achieve business and IT strategy through IT vendors.

Sought out as a trusted advisor and participant in business initiatives.

Education and Training

Bachelor's degree in business management, supply chain, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of experience, skills, training, and education.

Bachelors degree, master's of business administration (MBA) a plus

Certified Professional in Supply Management (CPSM), Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply (CIPS) qualification, or APICS Certified Supply Chain Professional (CSCP) is a plus.

Experience

A broad understanding of sourcing trends for specific categories and their potential implications to the business.

Comfortable in addressing strategic vendor relationships and developing strategies that look to reduce overall cost or risk.

Other functional experience, particularly with a technology organization, business strategy, business analysis or finance is an advantage.

Four or more years in sourcing and/or procurement and/or vendor management.

About INSPYR Solutions

Technology is our focus and quality is our commitment. As a national expert in delivering flexible technology and talent solutions, we strategically align industry and technical expertise with our clients' business objectives and cultural needs. Our solutions are tailored to each client and include a wide variety of professional services, project, and talent solutions. By always striving for excellence and focusing on the human aspect of our business, we work seamlessly with our talent and clients to match the right solutions to the right opportunities. Learn more about us at inspyrsolutions.com.

INSPYR Solutions provides Equal Employment Opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, INSPYR Solutions complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities.

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