Associate Director, Category Management & Capability Leadership – AI/Emerging Technology

About the role

The Associate Director, Category Management & Capability Leadership – AI/Emerging Technology partners with VP-level business or functional stakeholders to develop global procurement strategies, contributing to a cross-functional team that informs strategy through analysis, market expertise, and understanding of broader business objectives. This role builds a capability strategic plan and playbook to enable procurement best practices in this highly complex and changing environment. Specific Categories and Capabilities within leadership are Artificial Intelligence and Emerging Technologies amongst other technologies and services as required.

Responsibilities

• Partner with VP-level business or functional stakeholders to develop global procurement strategies for AI and Emerging Technologies in alignment with the internal governance, stage gate processes, approvals, and risk/regulatory requirements.
• Drive Innovation/Thought Leadership and lead complex programs, initiatives from strategy through implementation. Orchestrate procurement projects with a strategic lens, ensuring they are not only aligned with overarching business objectives but also contribute to the long-term strategic vision.
• Create comprehensive capability playbook, negotiation strategy and deployment training for the procurement team keeping with trends and market analysis to ensure is continuous evolving
• Ensure education and governance of capabilities are aligned and continuously evolving
• Contribute to a cross-functional team that informs strategic decision-making by leveraging market intelligence, staying abreast of industry trends, emerging technologies, and market dynamics.
• Define and develop strategic value drivers with key category suppliers to secure collaborative partnerships that challenge the status quo to achieve cost savings, optimize processes, and enhance overall procurement value.
• Integrate sustainability and environmental, social, and governance (ESG) measures into category strategies, collaborating with suppliers to enhance sustainable and responsible sourcing practices.
• Lead Supplier Relationship Management (SRM) strategies, driving innovation with key category suppliers and collaborating to enact creative and cutting-edge solutions that deliver on long-term business needs. Develop and activate mitigation strategies to proactively define and manage procurement risk across the relevant category, ensuring compliance.
• Lead the large and complex supplier roadmaps, strategies, programs and negotiations.
• Ensure effective project management from initiation to completion, directing and guiding cross-functional teams to deliver strategic category-related projects. Identify opportunities for process optimization and efficiency gains, leveraging data analytics to develop long-term continuous improvement programs that achieve strategic objectives.
• Drive the end-to-end procurement process from sourcing strategy to contract negotiation and execution, leading negotiations with key category suppliers and strengthening decisions with strong analytical insight and strategic perspective.
• Drive use cases and use case adoption for competitive edge, speed, quality and market place advantages.
• Player â Coach mindset and activities from business partnering, consulting, project/program leadership and training to ensure the capability strategy is pulled through.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Supply Chain Mgmt, Technology or related field. Master’s degree is preferred or equivalent experience.
• Minimum of 10 years of experience in procurement, supply chain, technology, consulting or related business or operations function. Previous experience leading category teams, IT teams, consulting, partnering with major suppliers, and reporting to senior leaders. Strong proficiency in developing high-impact executive-level deliverables.
• Comprehensive expertise in category management, including market analysis, cost and financial assessment, ensuring strategic and informed procurement decisions. Fluency in negotiation and bidding, adept in overseeing complex projects with a focus on effective change management.
• Strong capabilities in internal stakeholder management and influence, aligning procurement strategies with business needs and fostering collaborative supplier relationships.
• Strategic thinking and accountability, anticipating future trends, and taking responsibility for impactful procurement outcomes that challenge the status quo.
• Innovative problem-solving skills combined with a significant executive presence, enabling creative solutions and influential communication at all organizational levels. High cross-functional leadership abilities, conflict resolution skills, effectively navigating & harmonizing diverse team dynamics.
• Exceptional interpersonal skills and emotional intelligence, facilitating empathetic interactions, effective communication, and robust relationship-building across a matrixed organization. High resilience under pressure and autonomous work ethic, maintaining performance in challenging situations and making independent decisions.

Qualifications

• Experience in AI and Emerging Technologies procurement.
• Proven ability to drive innovation and thought leadership in procurement.
• Strong background in strategic planning and execution.
• Excellent stakeholder management and collaboration skills.
• Ability to manage complex projects and collaborate with key suppliers.
• Experience in integrating sustainability and ESG measures into procurement strategies.
• Strong analytical and strategic thinking skills.
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills.

Skills

• Procurement and supply chain management
• Market analysis and cost assessment
• Negotiation and bidding
• Stakeholder management and influence
• Strategic planning and execution
• Sustainability and ESG integration
• Project management
• Supplier relationship management
• Collaboration and teamwork
• Problem-solving and innovation
• Communication and interpersonal skills

Benefits

• Comprehensive benefits package including paid time off, medical/dental/vision insurance, and 401(k).
• Participation in long-term incentive programs.

Pay

Base Salary Range: $141,500 - $268,500 USD

Schedule

Role is primarily site- or office-based but can occasionally be performed remotely. Employees who are site/office-based and can occasionally perform their role virtually work both in the office and remotely, following the policies and regulations in place at their location. US Employees must be in the office on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday with flexibility to work remotely on Mondays and Fridays. Three days in the office is the minimum; some individuals or teams may require more in-office days due to meetings, business/project needs or their role.