Category Lead - Administration, Facilities & Construction (Office ofProcurement)

Johns Hopkins University; Baltimore (MD); Hybrid; USD 55,000 - 97,000; Full time

Job summary

Johns Hopkins University is seeking a Category Lead for Administration, Facilities & Construction to drive strategic sourcing, supplier negotiations, and cost optimization. You will lead cross-functional teams, develop category strategies, and manage supplier performance within a decentralized procurement environment.

The role requires a Bachelor's degree and 2+ years of purchasing or strategic sourcing experience. Hybrid work is available at Keswick and related campuses.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree required.
• Two years of purchasing or strategic sourcing experience required.
• Additional education may substitute for experience per policy.

Responsibilities

• Create and execute category strategies using spend analysis and market intelligence.
• Lead cross-functional teams to develop common product specifications.
• Coordinate procurement projects and sourcing activities across categories.
• Negotiate contracts and terms with suppliers to meet objectives.
• Manage supplier relationships and track category savings targets.
• Ensure compliance with procurement policies and regulations.

Skills

Negotiation

Analytical skills

Oral & written communication

MS Office

Data analysis

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

SAP

eSourcing tools

Job description

We are seeking aCategory Lead - Administration, Facilities & Construction who will perform strategic sourcing and procure supplies and services for Administration, Facilities and Construction categories under the direction of the Category Portfolio Group Manager.

Specific Duties and Responsibilities

• Create and execute category strategies by leveraging current and future business requirements, market intelligence, and historical spend to drive cost reduction, enterprise consistency, and business value.
• Develop and lead cross functional teams to derive common specifications for products based on commodity knowledge, departmental requirements, product availability, etc.
• Create a category specific initiative pipeline that will forecast and direct procurement projects and sourcing activities
• Procure products, equipment and services and arrange for leases and rentals. Coordinate and conduct negotiations with suppliers to achieve business objectives with a positive result.
• Develop new sources of supplies. Evaluate and select vendors. Perform strategic sourcing activities utilizing an array of e-procurement tools.
• Negotiate, write and revise contracts ensuring contracts account for preferential commercial terms, relevant laws, regulations and risk.
• Build and maintain strong working relationships with internal customers and enhance working relationships with key preferred suppliers.
• Establish category metrics and savings targets, monitor performance, and communicate these to stakeholders
• Develop and maintain a working knowledge of relevant industry trends and issues, market conditions, audit process and ethical standards governing relationships between buyer and seller.
• Manages purchase orders, contracts, sourcing events, and supplier proposals within assigned spend categories, ensuring alignment with procurement policies and category objectives.
• Collaborates with Legal, Internal Audit, Risk Management, and compliance teams to ensure category strategies and supplier agreements address applicable regulations, policies, and business risks.
• Serves as a change agent and advocate for Procurement as a strategic, value-added partner, driving stakeholder engagement, supplier performance, cost optimization, and procurement best practices.
• Work efficiently in a decentralized procurement environment.
• Other duties as assigned.

Special Skills and Knowledge

• Keen negotiation skills.
• Be comfortable working in a de-centralized procurement environment.
• Familiarity with applicable state and federal laws and regulations helpful.
• Experience in use of eSourcing tools to enable optimal strategic outcomes.
• Experience compiling and analyzing data to identify trends.
• Knowledge of P2P process.
• Ability to process multiple projects, set priorities and work independently.
• Strong analytical and financial skills.
• Strong oral and written communication.
• Proficiency in MS Suite (Microsoft Word, Power Point, Project, Excel) and eSourcing tools.
• Knowledge of SAP a plus.
• Applies flexible approach to achieving category results in dynamic situations.
• Innovative Thinking: Proven ability to connect ideas, events, and circumstances to find solutions to business problems or goals.
• Contract knowledge of both commercial and legal terms.
• Ability to work independently. Energetic and self-motivated.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree.
• Two years of experience in purchasing or strategic sourcing.
• Additional education may substitute for required experience, and additional related experience may substitute for required education beyond a high school diploma/graduation equivalent, to the extent permitted by the JHU equivalency formula.

** Applicants who do not meet the posted requirements but are completing their final academic semester/quarter will be considered eligible for employment and may be asked to provide additional information confirming their academic completion date.

Preferred Qualifications

• Additional years of purchasing or strategic sourcing experience.
• CPM, CPSM, or other relevant procurement certification preferred.

Technical Qualifications & Specialized Certifications

• Proficiency in MS Office.

Technical Skills & Expected Level of Proficiency

• Analytical Skills - Developing
• Category Management - Developing
• Data Management and Analysis - Developing
• Influencing Skills - Developing
• Negotiation - Developing
• Procurement Industry Knowledge - Developing
• Supplier Performance Management - Developing
• Supplier Relationship Management - Developing
• Strategic Sourcing - Developing

The core technical skills listed are most essential; additional technical skills may be required based on specific division or department needs.

Classified Title: Category Lead
Job Posting Title (Working Title):Category Lead - Administration, Facilities & Construction (Office of Procurement)
Role/Level/Range: ATP/04/PC
Starting Salary Range: $55,145 - $96,760 Annually (Commensurate w/exp.)
Employee group: Full Time
Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:30am - 5:00pm
FLSA Status:Exempt
Location: Hybrid/JH at Keswick
Department name: Buying
Personnel area: University Administration