Specialist - Senior Category Manager - Consulting

Northern Trust; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 115,000 - 195,000; Full time

Job summary

Northern Trust is seeking an experienced Procurement Consultant to lead enterprise-wide sourcing and category management initiatives in the Chicago area. You will drive effective procurement strategies, manage RFx events, and negotiate contracts with key suppliers.

The role requires 15+ years in sourcing or related fields, strong communication, and the ability to mentor teams while aligning with business unit and corporate strategy.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree preferred; MBA or advanced degree advantageous.
• Fifteen+ years in sourcing or procurement or equivalent experience.
• Excellent verbal and written communication; adaptable and collaborative.
• Deep procurement knowledge, strategy, and supplier relationship management.
• Experience leading category management and strategic sourcing initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Develops enterprise-wide procurement and category management practices.
• Works with Category Managers to set strategy and monitor adherence.
• Mentors Category Managers in industry knowledge and best practices.
• Leads sourcing events (RFx), negotiations, and contract management.
• Manages contracts (NDAs, Master Agreements, SOWs) and price negotiations.
• Reports procurement performance and supports audits and compliance.
• Establishes executive reviews to align with strategic goals.
• Collaborates to improve services and drive process improvements.

Skills

Strategic sourcing

Category management

Negotiation

Leadership

Change management

Advanced Excel

ERP systems/PeopleSoft

Contract management

Education

Master’s Degree in Business/Finance/Supply Chain

MBA or advanced degree (strong plus)

Procurement/SCM certification (CSCP/CPM)

Tools

MS Office Suite

PeopleSoft/ERP

Contract management system

Job description

About Northern Trust

As a global leader in innovative wealth management, asset servicing, asset management and banking services, Northern Trust (Nasdaq: NTRS) is proud to guide the world’s most successful individuals, families, corporations and institutions.

About Northern Trust

As a global leader in innovative wealth management, asset servicing, asset management and banking services, Northern Trust (Nasdaq: NTRS) is proud to guide the world’s most successful individuals, families, corporations and institutions.
Since 1889, we have aligned our efforts with our three guiding Principles That Endure: Service, Expertise, and Integrity. Together, they reflect the three cornerstones of business conduct which we strive to instill in our employees, whom we call partners, and to provide to our clients and the communities we serve worldwide.
With more than 135 years of financial experience and over 24,000 partners, we serve the world’s most sophisticated clients using leading technology and exceptional service.

Job Description

Major Duties :

• Develops best-in-class procurement and category management practices enterprise-wide, including: effective sourcing and overall procurement strategies;

processes and infrastructure to effectively manage procurement activities across all spending categories; sustainable purchasing methods, delegating tactical and administrative tasks as appropriate.

• Works with Category Managers to establish and communicate category strategy and provide updates on adherence to strategy
• Mentors Category Managers on the approach and resources to educate themselves in their industry and expand their knowledge base
• Develops, implements and communicates an overall strategy to meet both the Business Unit's and Corporation's strategic plan
• Establishes periodic strategic reviews with executive leadership to promote top down alignment and best practices with clients
• Leads and manages sourcing events (e.g. Request for Proposal, Request for Information, Request for Quote, Renewals, New Product negotiations) and the sourcing process, including project management, development of RFx, negotiations and award process.
• Responsible for contract review, drafting and creation of various agreements, including NDAs, Master Agreements, Statements of Work, etc. and leading all aspects of contract & price negotiations and ongoing contract administration.
• Responsible for adherence to procurement processes and procedures.
• Supports supplier adherence to contracts, manages suppliers via supplier activity
• Reporting and business/performance reviews, supports supplier scorecards, supplier rationalization and demand management opportunities.
• Supports regulatory and compliance requirements (e.g. OFAC, FCPA, Spend Analysis, Client Relationships).
• Manages reporting of Procurement performance metrics, and provides ongoing support for internal and external audit requests
• Establishes and maintains relationships with key partners, education on policy/guidelines and resolving related purchasing issues.
• Utilizes Contract Management System for systematic organization and classification of contracts.
• Interacts with business and Partners to formulate and implement strategy and solutions to enhance existing services, create new services or improve processes. Identifies impact of changes and processes; facilitates acceptance of change through training and communication. Provides ongoing support for the solution.

Knowledge

• Requires specialized depth and/or breadth of expertise in Strategy Sourcing and Category Management best practices
• Interprets internal/external business challenges and recommends best practices to improve products, processes or services
• An experienced Procurement Consultant to provide end-to-end category management, strategic sourcing, and procurement of indirect procurement
• Communicates difficult concepts and negotiates with others to adopt a different point of view
• Ability to act as a catalyst for change

Improvement Experience

• Master’s Degree in Business, Supply Chain Management or Finance is preferred.
• Fifteen or more years’ experience in Sourcing or Procurement related field or an equivalent combination of education and work experience. MBA or other advanced degree and a professional Procurement/ Supply Chain Management designation (e.g. CSCP, CPM) are a strong plus.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills are required along with ability to be highly flexible, strategic, collaborative and adaptable to change
• Excellent understanding of procurement philosophies and strategies along with in-depth knowledge of supply chain management and procurement
• Leadership, mentorship and organizational skills are required to develop objectives and goals
• Proficiency in MS Office Suites with advanced Excel skills. Experience with ERP systems/PeopleSoft

Salary Range

$114,700 - 194,900 USD

Salary range is a good faith estimate of base pay. Northern Trust provides a comprehensive benefits package including retirement benefits (401k and pension), health and welfare benefits (medical, dental, vision, spending accounts and disability), paid time off, parental and caregiver leave, life & accident insurance, and other voluntary and well-being benefits. Northern Trust also provides a discretionary bonus program that may include an equity component.

Work Authorization

Applicants must be authorized to work in the U.S. without the need for employment-based visa sponsorship now or in the future. Northern Trust will not sponsor applicants for U.S. work visa status for this opportunity (no sponsorship is available for H-1B, L-1, TN, O-1, E-3, H-1B1, F-1, J-1, OPT, CPT or any other employment-based visa).

Working with Us

As a Northern Trust partner, you will be part of a flexible and collaborative work culture, which has a strong history of financial strength and stability. Movement within the organization is encouraged, senior leaders are accessible, and you can take pride in working for a company committed to an inclusive workplace and assisting the communities we serve.

Philanthropy is deeply rooted in Northern Trust’s history and is an essential element of our culture. Employees around the world give their time and talent to work for the greater good of their communities.

Reasonable Accommodation

Northern Trust is committed to working with and providing adjustments to individuals with health conditions and disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process, please email our HR Service Center at [e-mail], or alternatively you can discuss your individual requirements with the recruiter you are working with.