Director Category Management, IT Services and Operations Outsourcing

The Hartford; United States; Remote; USD 143,000 - 215,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a Director of Category Management to lead IT Services and Operations Outsourcing. This pivotal role involves developing and executing sourcing strategies for IT, Data, and Operations, overseeing over $100M in spend. The ideal candidate will collaborate with senior leadership, drive vendor relationships, and optimize procurement processes. If you're a strategic thinker with extensive negotiation skills and a passion for transforming business operations, this opportunity offers a chance to make a significant impact in a dynamic environment.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of experience in strategic sourcing, particularly in IT and BPO.
• Proven track record in developing and executing category strategies.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement category strategies for IT Services outsourcing.
• Lead sourcing events and negotiate contracts with major vendors.

Skills

Strategic Sourcing

Negotiation Skills

Analytical Skills

Relationship Management

Problem Solving

Communication Skills

Project Management

Market Analysis

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Master’s degree in procurement/supply chain

Tools

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft PowerPoint

Coupa

Job description

Dir Category Mgmt - FP06BE

We’re determined to make a difference and are proud to be an insurance company that goes well beyond coverages and policies. Working here means having every opportunity to achieve your goals – and to help others accomplish theirs, too. Join our team as we help shape the future.

The Hartford is a strong company with a powerful brand and a bright future. The Strategic Sourcing & Real Estate (SSRE) department plays a critical role in The Hartford’s future by operating as a trusted business advisor with deep expertise that advances The Hartford’s business objectives and delivers exceptional customer experiences. We operate as advisors with our customers to positively impact business strategy, while optimizing the way we use third parties to meet enterprise and business unit objectives comprehensively.

OVERVIEW OF THE ROLE:
The Director, Category Management - IT Services and Operations Outsourcing is responsible for developing, managing, and executing the category and sourcing strategy for IT, Data, and Operations spend areas, overseeing an annual spend of over $100M. The ideal candidate is a strategic thinker with strong leadership abilities and a proven history of managing large-scale IT and Business Process Outsourcing transformation programs. This role involves close collaboration with senior leadership, including CIOs and Operations leaders. Experience with Data and Analytics is a plus. This position reports to the AVP, Category Lead for Professional Services and Claims.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Develop and implement comprehensive category strategies for IT Services outsourcing that align with business objectives and drive value.
• Collaborate with the CIO, CDO, and Operations senior leaders to understand business direction and requirements. Define and execute sourcing strategies to ensure alignment with business goals and optimize cost, quality, and service delivery.
• Partner with strategic vendors and senior leadership to identify and execute technology-led opportunities to transform Business Operations, boost efficiency, and improve customer experience.
• Lead sourcing events and develop supplier negotiation strategies that optimize spend, leverage The Hartford’s buying power, focus on service quality/performance, and minimize risk exposure.
• Conduct complex, high-visibility negotiations with major vendors, negotiate key terms, and work with various stakeholders from legal, information protection, risk management, etc., to draft and execute contracts.
• Drive sourcing model maturity based on industry best practices and The Hartford’s operating model changes.
• Manage relationships with key vendors and ensure compliance with service level agreements.
• Conduct market analysis to identify trends, opportunities, and risks in the IT outsourcing space.
• Monitor and report on the performance of outsourcing arrangements, ensuring continuous improvement and value delivery.
• Utilize Procurement technology to facilitate the end-to-end Procurement Lifecycle.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree (JD, Master’s degree in procurement/supply chain, business, engineering, or related field) or equivalent experience is a plus.
• Minimum 8 years of experience in strategic sourcing, specifically in the IT and BPO Outsourcing category.
• Proven track record in Procurement with significant experience developing and executing category strategies, reviewing, analyzing, and negotiating contracts.
• Strong strategic and analytical skills with the ability to solve long-term and complex problems.
• Experience in leading market analysis and intelligence gathering across relevant categories to support successful strategy development.
• Extensive negotiation skills and best practices in contracting, including drafting and negotiating contract terms.
• Excellent relationship management skills, including the ability to work collaboratively with senior leadership in Procurement and across multiple Businesses and Corporate Functions.
• Exceptional ability to influence stakeholders and drive groups with divergent opinions toward effective, collaborative decisions.
• Exceptional supplier relationship and contract/conflict management skills.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Outcome-oriented with experience driving results in an environment of change.
• Strong packaging and presentation skills with the ability to analyze and explain pricing models and contract terms.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint is a must; Coupa skills are a plus.
• Experience in IT Delivery and project management is a plus.

Compensation

The listed annualized base pay range is primarily based on analysis of similar positions in the external market. Actual base pay could vary and may be above or below the listed range based on factors including but not limited to performance, proficiency and demonstration of competencies required for the role. The base pay is just one component of The Hartford’s total compensation package for employees. Other rewards may include short-term or annual bonuses, long-term incentives, and on-the-spot recognition. The annualized base pay range for this role is:

$143,200 - $214,800

Equal Opportunity Employer/Females/Minorities/Veterans/Disability/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity or Expression/Religion/Age