Senior IT Sourcing & Vendor Strategy Lead

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

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental and vision coverage

401k match with company contribution

PTO and paid time off

Tuition reimbursement

Job summary

Blue Cross NC is seeking a Senior IT Category Manager to lead sourcing and vendor governance for IT hardware, software, and services. You will partner with stakeholders and Corporate Services Vendor Contracting to prepare, analyze, and negotiate contracts.

You will establish category strategies, run RFPs/RFQs, and drive total cost of ownership optimization while mitigating risk. This role supports a Hybrid-Flex environment with in-person collaboration and remote work options.

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

• Establish sourcing strategies for an assigned category(ies) focusing on IT Hardware, with involvement in Software and Services.
• Conduct sourcing events, including project work plans, category profiles, strategy, requirements and evaluation criteria, solicitation.
• Develop and implement bid documents (RFP, RFI, RFQ) and manage reporting and performance metrics.
• Analyze market dynamics and share expertise within the portfolio of products and services.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to source products/services using tools/processes to drive results.
• Evaluate analyses from a total cost of ownership perspective and provide optimization recommendations.
• Participate in cross-functional vendor negotiations and coordinate multiple arrangements.
• Review and lead supplier relationship management and performance within an assigned category.
• Foster positive relationships with vendor personnel and drive engagement.
• Engage stakeholders to implement vendor relationship management plans.
• Coordinate and host vendor reviews and develop yearly vendor plans.
• Coordinate vendor risk assessments and address significant risks.
• Serve as escalation point for vendor contractual issues and ensure compliance.
• Develop procedures, training, and policy changes as appropriate.

Skills

Category Management

Category Sourcing

Procurement

Sourcing Strategies

Vendor Negotiations

Vendor Relationship Management

Sourcing Techniques

Strategic Sourcing

Risk Management

Process Improvements

Education

Bachelor's degree or advanced degree

Job description

Blue Cross NC is seeking a Senior IT Category Manager to lead sourcing and vendor governance for IT hardware, software, and services. You will partner with stakeholders and Corporate Services Vendor Contracting to prepare, analyze, and negotiate contracts.

You will establish category strategies, run RFPs/RFQs, and drive total cost of ownership optimization while mitigating risk. This role supports a Hybrid-Flex environment with in-person collaboration and remote work options.