Category Manager (hybrid)

About the role

This role is responsible for managing a portfolio of spend across business functions with a primary focus on Information Technology categories (including software (Saas), cloud, infrastructure, telecom, and IT professional services). The role develops cost optimization strategies, conducts rigorous market analyses, and leads complex sourcing initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Provide risk-informed sourcing recommendations, incorporating total cost of ownership, supplier resilience, information security, and regulatory considerations.
• Lead supplier evaluations, negotiations, and contract structuring efforts to deliver measurable value, mitigate risk, and enhance service levels.
• Oversee a portfolio of cross-functional categories, with a strong emphasis on IT sourcing and technology suppliers, managing multiple concurrent projects.
• Develop and execute category strategies for IT spend, including software licensing (SaaS and enterprise applications), cloud services, infrastructure, telecom and IT services.
• Manage cross-functional teams to execute the category-specific sourcing strategies, including the development of requirements and solution evaluation.
• Lead complex negotiations and work with Legal teams on contract structuring, including Master Services Agreements, Statements of Work, SaaS and cloud agreements, Service Level Agreements and performance metrics, and data protection and security provisions.
• Conduct deep market intelligence analysis for IT categories, including supplier capabilities, pricing models (subscription, consumption-based, licensing), competitive landscape, and technology trends.
• Lead end-to-end sourcing events (RFP/RFQ) including supplier identification, evaluation, competitive analysis and selection.
• Work closely with internal stakeholders and AVP of Enterprise Strategic Sourcing to identify and achieve the category goals.
• Integrate Third Party Risk Management into sourcing activities by supporting the risk assessment process to evaluate supplier risk across applicable domains.
• Drive Supplier Relationship Management efforts and manage modifications to portfolios, including tracking and reporting on the performance of category portfolios including cost savings, cost avoidance, contract value and supplier performance metrics.
• Drive organizational transformation in conjunction with the TMO.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Business (or other related degree program) or related experience, MBA strongly preferred.
• 4-8 years of strategic sourcing or supply chain related experience with a major company preferred.
• Insurance industry experience is preferred.
• Proven experience sourcing across one or more IT categories, including Software (SaaS, enterprise applications, licensing models), cloud services, infrastructure, telecom and managed services.
• GCP Certified Purchasing Manager or Certified Professional in Supply Management, or Certified Professional in Supplier Diversity Certification is a plus.
• Demonstrated experience negotiating complex IT contracts, including SaaS agreements, MSAs, SOWs, and SLAs and strong understanding of IT commercial models, including subscription pricing, consumption-based pricing, and total cost of ownership (TCO) analysis.
• Demonstrated success of leading project teams to achieve quantifiable savings by applying various sourcing methods.
• Strong project management and analytical skills, results oriented.
• Firsthand working knowledge of strategic sourcing methodology required and experience with eProcurement/eSourcing tools preferred.
• Knowledge of eProcurement and eSourcing systems such as Ivalua is a plus.
• Strong negotiation experience and excellent interpersonal skills and oral and written communication skills required.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 4-8 years of strategic sourcing or supply chain related experience with a major company.
• Proven experience sourcing across one or more IT categories, including Software (SaaS, enterprise applications, licensing models), cloud services, infrastructure, telecom and managed services.
• Strong project management and analytical skills, results oriented.
• Firsthand working knowledge of strategic sourcing methodology required and experience with eProcurement/eSourcing tools preferred.
• Knowledge of eProcurement and eSourcing systems such as Ivalua is a plus.
• Strong negotiation experience and excellent interpersonal skills and oral and written communication skills required.

Skills

• Strategic sourcing and supply chain management.
• Supplier evaluation and contract structuring.
• Market intelligence analysis.
• Project management and analytical skills.
• Negotiation and interpersonal skills.

Benefits

Grange Insurance Company offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Competitive traditional benefits.
• Unique benefits based on employee feedback, including a cultural appreciation holiday, family formation benefits, compassionate care leave, and expanded categories of bereavement leave.
• A commitment to an inclusive work environment that welcomes and values diversity, equity and inclusion.
• Core values: Be One Team, Deliver Excellence, Communicate Openly, Do the Right Thing, and Solve Creatively for Tomorrow.
• Voluntary Associate Resource Groups that celebrate similarities of ethnicity/race, nationality, generation, gender identity, and sexual orientation.
• An Inclusive Culture Council focused on professional development, networking, business value and community outreach.

Pay

The salary range for this position is $75,000 - $100,000 annually, depending on experience and qualifications.

Schedule

The role is typically full-time with standard business hours, but flexible work arrangements may be available based on the needs of the organization and the individual.