Strategic Sourcing Sr Advisor

Health Care Service Corp.; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 102,000 - 184,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work arrangement

Career development support

Job summary

Health Care Service Corporation (HCSC) is seeking a Strategic Sourcing Senior Advisor in Chicago, IL. You will develop and execute category strategies for IT Professional Services, leading RFPs, negotiations, and supplier management to deliver measurable savings and value.

You will collaborate with business and technology leaders, drive cost reduction, and manage complex sourcing initiatives across enterprise spend.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree or equivalent experience.
• 8+ years progressive experience in procurement, supplier management, category management.
• Proficient MS Excel, Word, Outlook, and PowerPoint.
• Strategic and innovative thinker able to influence and advise the business areas.
• Strong executive presence with outstanding interpersonal, verbal, written communication, and presentation skills.
• Critical thinking, analytical skills and business acumen.
• Conflict resolution skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead strategic sourcing activities including RFPs, RFIs, market assessments, supplier evaluations, and category management initiatives.
• Partner with business and technology stakeholders to define requirements and sourcing strategies.
• Conduct market research, financial analysis, supplier benchmarking, and TCO assessments.
• Independently analyze industry trends, supplier capabilities, and category risks to develop actionable strategies.
• Lead complex commercial negotiations including contracts, SOWs, rate cards, and SLAs.
• Develop and execute supplier management strategies focused on performance and value realization.
• Build relationships with executive stakeholders and manage escalations.
• Identify cost reduction, cost avoidance, demand management, and supplier optimization opportunities.
• Manage multiple sourcing initiatives with timelines and deliverables.
• Prepare executive presentations, business cases, and negotiation strategies.
• Participate in savings initiatives and contribute to category roadmaps and supplier rationalization.

Skills

MS Excel

MS Word

MS Outlook

PowerPoint

Strategic thinking

Executive presence

Financial analysis

Stakeholder management

Education

Bachelor's Degree or equivalent experience

MBA or Masters Degree (preferred)

Tools

Procurement systems

Job description

At HCSC, our employees are the cornerstone of our business and the foundation to our success. We empower employees with curated development plans that foster growth and promote rewarding, fulfilling careers. Join HCSC and be part of a purpose-driven company that will invest in your professional development.

Job Summary As a key member of the Procurement organization, the Strategic Sourcing Senior Advisor is responsible for developing and executing category strategies for Professional Services with a primary focus on IT Consulting, IT Managed Services, IT Outsourcing, and related technology-enabled services. This role serves as a trusted advisor to business and technology leaders, driving sourcing decisions that balance cost, quality, supplier performance, innovation, and risk. This position does not support the procurement of IT hardware or software. The Senior Advisor will lead complex sourcing initiatives, commercial negotiations, category management activities, and supplier relationship strategies for critical enterprise spend categories. The role requires strong business acumen, financial analysis capabilities, executive stakeholder management, and the ability to identify opportunities for cost reduction, cost avoidance, supplier consolidation, and value creation. Success in this role will be measured by the ability to influence business outcomes, deliver measurable savings, optimize supplier performance, and support enterprise strategic objectives. As an Advisor you will gain a vast knowledge of the inner workings and operations for one of the largest healthcare plans in North America. Successful candidates should have a strong desire to learn about the healthcare industry.

Key Responsibilities

1. Lead strategic sourcing activities including RFPs, RFIs, market assessments, supplier evaluations, and category management initiatives.
2. Partner with business and technology stakeholders to define requirements, develop sourcing strategies, and align procurement activities with business objectives.
3. Conduct internal and external market research, financial analysis, supplier benchmarking, total cost of ownership (TCO) assessments, and pricing evaluations to support sourcing recommendations.
4. Independently analyze industry trends, supplier capabilities, market dynamics, and category risks to develop actionable sourcing strategies.
5. Lead complex commercial negotiations including contracts, Statements of Work (SOWs), rate cards, service-level agreements, pricing structures, and other commercial terms.
6. Develop and execute supplier management strategies focused on performance, risk mitigation, innovation, and value realization.
7. Build and maintain relationships with executive stakeholders while managing escalations and competing business priorities.
8. Identify and drive cost reduction, cost avoidance, demand management, and supplier optimization opportunities across the category portfolio.
9. Manage multiple sourcing initiatives simultaneously while ensuring project timelines, deliverables, and stakeholder expectations are achieved.
10. Prepare and deliver executive-level presentations, business cases, sourcing recommendations, and negotiation strategies.
11. Actively participate in savings initiatives and contribute to category roadmaps, supplier rationalization efforts, and long-term procurement strategies.

Required Job Qualifications

Bachelor's Degree or equivalent experience

8+ years progressive experience in procurement, supplier management, category management

Proficient at MS Excel, Word, Outlook, and PowerPoint

Strategic and innovative thinker able to influence and advise the business areas

Strong executive presence with outstanding interpersonal, verbal, written communication, and presentation skills

Critical thinking, analytical skills and business acumen

Conflict resolution skills

Consistent thought leadership

Preferred Job Qualifications

1. Bachelor's degree in Business, Finance, Supply Chain, Engineering or a related field
2. MBA or Masters Degree
3. Experience sourcing and negotiating IT Professional Services, including IT Consulting, IT Managed Services, IT Outsourcing and Staff Augmentation engagements
4. Experience negotiating complex commercial agreements, including Master Services Agreements (MSAs), Statements of Work (SOWs), resource pricing models and supplier rate cards
5. Experience developing business cases and performing financial analysis to support sourcing strategies, supplier selection and investment decisions
6. Experience conducting supplier benchmarking, cost modeling, and total cost of ownership analyses to identify savings and value creation opportunities
7. Knowledge of Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) and technology-enables service delivery models
8. Knowledge of e-Procurement systems and tools; experience utilizing Procure-to-Pay and Contracting modules or similar procurement systems
9. Advanced Excel and data analysis capabilities with the ability to translate complex data into actionable business recommendations

This is a Flex (Hybrid) role: 3 days in office; 2 days work from home Sponsorship is not available #LI-PD1 #LI-Hybrid

Pay Transparency Statement: At Health Care Service Corporation, you will be part of an organization committed to offering meaningful benefits to our employees to support their life outside of work. From health and wellness benefits, 401(k) savings plan, pension plan, paid time off, paid parental leave, disability insurance, supplemental life insurance, employee assistance program, paid holidays, tuition reimbursement, plus other incentives, we offer a robust total rewards package for employees. Learn more about our benefit offerings by visiting https://careers.hcsc.com/totalrewards. The compensation offered will vary depending on your job-related skills, education, knowledge, and experience. This role aligns with an annual incentive bonus plan subject to the terms and the conditions of the plan. HCSC Employment Statement: We are an Equal Opportunity Employment employer dedicated to providing a welcoming environment where the unique differences of our employees are respected and valued. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other legally protected characteristics. Base Pay Range $102,000.00 - $184,300.00 Exact compensation may vary based on skills, experience, and location.

HCSC is an Equal Opportunity Employment employer dedicated to workforce diversity and a drug-free and smoke-free workplace. HCSC is committed to diversity in the workplace and to providing equal opportunity to employees and applicants.

If you are an individual with a disability or a disabled veteran and need an accommodation or assistance in either using the Careers website or completing the application process, you can call us at 1-866-977-7378 to request reasonable accommodations. Please note that only requests for accommodations in the application process will be returned.

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Montana, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of New Mexico, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Oklahoma, and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas, Divisions of Health Care Service Corporation, a Mutual Legal Reserve Company, and Independent Licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association Copyright 2025 Health Care Service Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

For more than 80 years, HCSC has been dedicated to expanding access to high-quality, cost-effective health care and equipping our members with information and tools to make the best health care decisions for themselves and their families. As an industry leader, HCSC also has been helping to make the health care system work better for all Americans. To remain a leader, we offer compelling careers that encourage resourcefulness, strategic thought and empower you to make a difference in the lives of our members and their communities. Today, with the industry at an important crossroad, HCSC is reimagining health care and looking for original thinkers who aren’t afraid to make innovative contributions. Learn more about HCSC, our commitment to our members and the opportunity you’ll have to improve health care delivery in an open, collaborative environment.