Senior IT Category Manager

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina; North Carolina; Hybrid; USD 89,000 - 143,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

401k match

Paid time off

Tuition reimbursement

Job summary

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina seeks a Senior IT Category Manager to lead sourcing and vendor governance for IT hardware, software and services. You will partner with internal stakeholders and external vendors, develop category strategies, and drive cost optimization through robust RFPs and contract negotiations.

You will coordinate cross-functional teams, monitor performance, manage vendor risk, and ensure contracts align with business requirements across the organization.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or advanced degree (where required)
• 5+ years of experience in related field
• In lieu of degree, 7+ years of experience in related field

Responsibilities

• Lead sourcing and vendor governance for IT categories including hardware, software, and services
• Develop and implement bid documents (RFP/RFI/RFQ) and manage performance metrics
• Analyze market dynamics and optimize total cost of ownership
• Coordinate vendor reviews and risk assessments with internal stakeholders
• Manage contracts and ensure regulatory compliance with Legal, Compliance, Audit and Risk teams

Skills

Vendor governance

Sourcing strategies

Contract negotiation

Total cost of ownership

IT category management

Education

Bachelor's degree

Advanced degree

Job description

Job Description

As the Senior IT Category Manager, you will lead sourcing and vendor governance activities for assigned IT categories, including hardware, software, and services. This role focuses on reducing total cost of ownership through effective sourcing strategies, tools, and processes while mitigating risk through strong vendor governance. You will partner with third-party vendors, business owners, and the Corporate Services Vendor Contracting team to prepare, analyze, and negotiate vendor contracts. You will also support business owners across functional areas in vendor selection and ensure vendor obligations are documented in alignment with business requirements.

What You’ll Do

• Establish sourcing strategies for an assigned category(ies) in conjunction with internal stakeholders and their associated business strategy.
• This position will primarily focus on IT Hardware but will also be involved in sourcing Software and Services as appropriate.
• Conduct sourcing events, including development of project work plan, category profile, category strategy, minimum requirements and evaluation criteria, solicitation.
• Develop and implement assorted bid documents and requests (i.e. RFP, RFI, RFQ); and manage status reporting and performance metrics of sourcing and category management activities.
• Understand, analyze and forecast complex market and industry dynamics and share subject matter expertise and industry knowledge within the established portfolio of products and services.
• Partner with stakeholders to source products and services using proven tools, processes, and analytics to drive and achieve business results.
• Evaluate analyses of sourcing results from a total cost of ownership perspective and provide optimization recommendations.
• Participate in cross-functional teams responsible for complex vendor negotiations, including those that require specialized subject matter expertise, nonstandard risk mitigation solutions, and coordination of multiple arrangements.
• Review and lead supplier relationship management and performance within an assigned category.
• Proactively establish and foster successful, positive working relationships with vendor personnel.
• Drive vendor engagement through formal and informal transactions.
• Engage stakeholders to implement and execute vendor relationship management plan.
• Coordinate and host vendor business reviews.
• Develop, track and manage yearly vendor plans for assigned vendors within the assigned category(ies) and ensure vendor compliance.
• Coordinate vendor risk assessments and develop plans to track and address significant risks.
• Serve as an escalation point for the business in resolving vendor contractual issues, issue resolution.
• Manage contracts and collaborate effectively with Corporate Compliance, Legal, Audit and Risk Management and other internal stakeholders for compliance activities to ensure regulatory conditions are met.
• Develop new procedures, training, initiatives, specifications and recommendations for process or policy changes and improvements, as appropriate.

What You Bring

• Bachelor's degree or advanced degree (where required)
• 5+ years of experience in related field
• In lieu of degree, 7+ years of experience in related field

Bonus Points

• Experience sourcing and negotiating IT contracts including hardware, software, and services
• Experience with telecom and networking contracts
• Experience procuring hardware and software through Value Added Resellers
• Experience working in an IT department

What You’ll Get

• The opportunity to work at the cutting edge of health care delivery with a team that’s deeply invested in the community.
• Work-life balance, flexibility, and the autonomy to do great work.
• Medical, dental, and vision coverage along with numerous health and wellness programs.
• Parental leave and support plus adoption and surrogacy assistance.
• Career development programs and tuition reimbursement for continued education.
• 401k match including an annual company contribution.
• Learn more

Where You’ll Work

Our Hybrid Flex approach is built on presence with a purpose - giving you flexibility to work remotely with intentional in-person connection - that supports a workplace that’s flexible, connected, and future focused. In a Hybrid-Flex role, you’ll work in the office at least two days a week for collaboration and connection. In a Remote Flex role, you’ll work virtually, with a few in-office visits each year for meaningful moments that matter. Whether your role is Hybrid Flex or Remote Flex depends on the nature of the work and distance from our Durham headquarters. We welcome candidates from outside the local area and in any states listed on this job posting. Onsite expectations will be discussed during the interview process.

Salary Range

At Blue Cross NC, we take great pride in a fair and equitable compensation package that reflects market-price and our starting salaries are typically planned near the middle of the range listed. Compensation decisions are driven by factors including experience and training, specialized skill sets, licensure and certifications and other business and organizational needs. Our base salary is part of a robust Total Rewards package that includes an Annual Incentive Bonus*, 401(k) with employer match, Paid Time Off (PTO), and competitive health benefits and wellness programs. *Based on annual corporate goal achievement and individual performance. $89,174.00 - $142,679.00

About Us

It’s an exciting time to work at Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina (Blue Cross NC). Health care is changing, and we’re leading the way. We offer more than health insurance our customers can count on. We’re committed to better health and better health care - in our communities and beyond. Our employees bring energy and creativity to the workplace, and it shows in our innovative approach to improving the health and well-being of North Carolinians. Blue Cross NC is a fully taxed, not‑for‑profit company headquartered in Durham, North Carolina. We serve more than 4.3 million members, and we employ more than 5,000 people across the country who are passionate about making health care better for all. Help us lead the charge for better health care by joining our award‑winning team. Discover tremendous opportunities with us to do challenging and rewarding work. Opportunities that can lead you to a fulfilling career, work that can help others lead healthier, happier lives.

Authorization to Work in the United States

We use E-verify to confirm authorization to work in the United States. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, please visit E-Verify Overview for English or Visión General de E-Verify for Español.

Request Accommodations

Blue Cross NC provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application, hiring process, or have technical issues that prevent you from completing your application please notify HR at [e-mail]. Blue Cross NC is a Hybrid Flex company. Whether the role is Hybrid Flex or Remote Flex depends on the nature of the work and distance from our Durham headquarters. We welcome candidates from outside the local area and in any of our approved states: Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.