Strategic Category Lead, Healthcare Procurement

Medica

Minnetonka (MN)

On-site

USD 88,800 - 152,300

Full time

14 days+

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Job summary

Medica is a nonprofit health plan serving members across Minnesota and beyond. The Category Lead drives vendor strategy, lifecycle management, and performance outcomes, partnering with Contract Managers to align contracts with business value.

This role integrates market insights, risk management, and data-driven decision making to shape a category-led procurement transformation. You will work onsite in Minnetonka, MN, collaborating with senior stakeholders and cross-functional teams.

Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in Business, Supply Chain, or related field.
8+ years of experience in vendor management, sourcing, or procurement (Combine is ok!).
Strong understanding of vendor lifecycle management and sourcing principles.
Experience partnering with cross-functional teams and senior stakeholders.
Proven ability to influence decisions and deliver measurable business outcomes.
Exceptional communication and presentation skills with internal and vendor executives.
Industry experience in healthcare, fintech, or technology (preferred).
Knowledge of compliance- and regulatory- heavy functions (Fraud, Payments, Compliance, Information Security) is a plus.

Responsibilities

Lead category strategy and vendor outcomes, while collaborating with Contract Managers.
Own category health, value delivery, and business alignment.
Lead RFx strategies and structure deals to maximize business value.
Apply benchmarking, competitive analysis, and pricing models to improve outcomes.
Develop reporting on savings, value realization, and service performance.
Serve as the primary strategic interface between business stakeholders and vendor ecosystem.