Sr. Manager, Category Management

Centene Corporation; Kansas; Remote; USD 105,000 - 196,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare organization is seeking a Senior Manager for Category Management to oversee the Population Health & Clinical Services Category Strategy. The ideal candidate will drive procurement initiatives, lead a team, and engage in sophisticated sourcing and contract negotiations. A Bachelor's degree and 6 years of relevant experience are required. This role offers competitive compensation and the possibility of remote work within the continental United States.

Benefits

Comprehensive benefits package

Flexible work schedules

Tuition reimbursement

401K and stock purchase plans

Qualifications

• 6 years of experience in category management and the healthcare industry.
• Ability to manage and lead a high-impact procurement team.
• Experience in sophisticated contract negotiations.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development and implementation of the Population Health & Clinical Services Category Strategy.
• Communicate decisions among category council stakeholders.
• Implement strategic sourcing initiatives aligned with category strategy.

Skills

Strategic thinking

Procurement

Category management

Team leadership

Healthcare experience

Advanced Excel

Collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Sourcing, Procurement or related field

Master’s degree preferred

CPM/CPSM, CSCP or equivalent certification preferred

Job description

You could be the one who changes everything for our 28 million members. Centene is transforming the health of our communities, one person at a time. As a diversified, national organization, you’ll have access to competitive benefits including a fresh perspective on workplace flexibility.

Welcome! If you’re a strategic thinker with a passion for procurement, category management, and leading a high-impact team, this role offers an exciting opportunity to make a meaningful difference.

Position Purpose Lead the development and implementation of the Population Health & Clinical Services Category Strategy. Communicate intent and purpose to internal and external stakeholders including senior management. Communicate decisions among category council stakeholders.

In this Sr Mgr., Category Management role, you will

• Develop, manage and lead the Category team with a focus on procurement in a strategic and goal-oriented manner
• Develop the category plan (e.g. vision, strategy and implementation road map) with category and procurement leaders by conducting assessments of current and future business requirements needs
• Implement plan utilizing the category team to take on initiatives such as strategic sourcing and demand management aligned to the category strategy / plan
• Perform periodical financial and spend reviews to track and review category financial performance using key metrics and actual vs budgeted spend variance
• Establish cadence with strategic suppliers and business stakeholders for reviewing supplier performance against contractual obligations
• Establish KPIs, identify benchmarks and set targets to regularly capture and report on the performance of different direct categories/sub-categories as needed
• Work with the Sourcing team to coordinate the sourcing strategy review with business stakeholders.
• Monitor execution of sourcing activities (RFI, RFQ, events, etc.) within category to achieve identified value and outcomes
• Facilitate high value proposal evaluation and award decisions with business stakeholders
• Oversee procurement process compliance and buying channel adherence for purchases specific to assigned category

What’s Appealing About This Role

• Lead a High-Impact Team Manage and mentor a team of procurement professionals, driving performance and delivering results on complex initiatives.
• Own the Strategy Shape and execute the Population Health & Clinical Services Category Strategy, influencing enterprise-wide outcomes.
• Drive Complex Sourcing Spearhead high-stakes RFx processes, ensuring optimal vendor selection and value delivery.
• Command the Contracting Table Lead sophisticated contract negotiations that balance risk, compliance, and business goals.
• Be Seen, Be Heard Gain visibility with senior leadership and play a key role in a high-performing, growth-focused procurement team.

Highly Preferred

• Healthcare Experience
• Excel — Intermediate to Advance user
• WORD — Ability to redline and work collaboratively in Teams with other business partners

Education/Experience Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Sourcing, Procurement, or related field, or equivalent experience. Master’s degree preferred. 6 years of experience in category management and the healthcare industry.

License/Certification CPM/CPSM, CSCP or equivalent certification preferred

Applicants for this role have the flexibility to *work remotely from home anywhere within the Continental United States. WhileEastern and Central Time Zone schedules are preferred* , we understand the importance of flexibility and will work to accommodate individual needs. Pay Range $105,600.00 – $195,400.00 per year

Centene offers a comprehensive benefits package including competitive pay, health insurance, 401K and stock purchase plans, tuition reimbursement, paid time off plus holidays, and a flexible approach to work with remote, hybrid, field or office work schedules. Actual pay will be adjusted based on an individual’s skills, experience, education, and other job-related factors permitted by law, including full-time or part-time status. Total compensation may also include additional forms of incentives. Benefits may be subject to program eligibility.

Centene is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity, and values the ways in which we are different. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or other characteristic protected by applicable law.

Qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered in accordance with the LA County Ordinance and the California Fair Chance Act