Category Sourcing Manager

Kenna Group; North Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading procurement consultancy is seeking a Category Sourcing Manager to develop sourcing strategies for corporate indirect services. The role includes negotiating contracts, managing supplier relationships, and ensuring compliance. Ideal candidates will have a BA/BS degree, with an MBA preferred, and must possess experience in strategic sourcing, negotiation abilities, and analytical skills. This position offers the opportunity to work cross-functionally and influence internal stakeholders while delivering optimal procurement outcomes.

Qualifications

• Experience with traditional indirect categories like Corporate Travel and Information Technology.
• Experience in category management or strategic sourcing.
• Service-oriented mindset with a focus on client satisfaction.

Responsibilities

• Develop sourcing strategies and conduct market analysis.
• Negotiate contracts for indirect services.
• Manage relationships with key suppliers to enhance agreements.

Skills

Negotiation

Analytical skills

Cross-functional collaboration

Detail orientation

Education

BA/BS

MBA

Job description

The Category Sourcing Manager will be responsible for developing and driving category management strategies and all activities throughout the program and supplier lifecycle.

Responsibilities Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

Develop sourcing strategies for corporate indirect services spend by conducting analysis of market trends and potential suppliers, leading requests for proposals, analysis of TCO, and opportunities to leverage changes in processes, systems and product/services, and estimating timing and level of savings

Negotiates contracts for corporate indirect services and participate in vendor management activities with internal business teams

Manage business relationships with key suppliers including routine enhancements to agreements, communication of demand/volume changes, updating contracts, and sharing end-user feedback

Develop recommendations and strategies to ensure adequate compliance monitoring, and benefits tracking

Responsible for effective risk and compliance management with regards to category management

Follow the uniform implementation of category management strategies and sourcing approaches

Responsible for conducting proper financial analysis and due-diligence to support benefits estimation and documentation

Deliver category or project-specific presentations to internal and external stakeholders

Negotiate all elements of assigned supplier relationships to ensure lowest total cost of procurement, including: product cost, performance, rebates, etc.

Resolve quality/service issues and ensure best customers experience through working with suppliers and internal business partners

Define, execute, and/or monitor specific performance metrics and goals relevant to each supplier relationship

Lead and/or support cross-functional continuous improvement initiatives and other special projects to improve the overall business

Serve as the subject matter expert for the product categories by leveraging demonstrated industry knowledge/insight and through ongoing customer interaction, market research, and participation in industry trade events

Qualifications The ideal candidate possesses the following qualifications:

BA/BS required, MBA preferred

Experience with traditional indirect categories, i.e. Corporate Travel, Energy, Information Technology, Temporary Labor, etc.

Experience in category management or strategic sourcing and pricing and contract T&Cs negotiations; negotiation aptitude

Service-oriented mindset, with a desire to ensure client satisfaction

Demonstrated ability to work cross-functionally and influence without direct authority

Demonstrated analytical skills and intellectual curiosity

Detail orientation

Qualifications

Qualifications The ideal candidate possesses the following qualifications:

BA/BS required, MBA preferred

Experience with traditional indirect categories, i.e. Corporate Travel, Energy, Information Technology, Temporary Labor, etc.

Experience in category management or strategic sourcing and pricing and contract T&Cs negotiations; negotiation aptitude

Service-oriented mindset, with a desire to ensure client satisfaction

Demonstrated ability to work cross-functionally and influence without direct authority

Demonstrated analytical skills and intellectual curiosity

Detail orientation

Additional Information

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.