Category Manager, IT Software and Services

About the Operational Services Division (OSD)

The Operational Services Division (OSD) is an oversight agency of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts within the Executive Office for Administration and Finance. OSD’s primary focus is to help our government buyers and business customers succeed in meeting their goals by providing outstanding customer service, competent advice and guidance, and high-quality products and services that exceed the expectations of those we serve.

Join our Dynamic Team

OSD's diverse team of 150+ professionals is transforming the way government operates. Our hybrid work environment fosters creativity and collaboration, allowing us to deliver cutting-edge solutions in Category Management, Print and Mail, Surplus Property, and more. Join us and make a lasting impact. The Category Management unit is a forward-thinking, innovative team of procurement professionals responsible for the development and oversight of statewide contracts that generate $2.2 billion in annual spend. Through effective category management, stakeholder engagement, and data-driven analysis, our unit delivers procurement solutions that meet the evolving needs of public buyers and incorporate positive climate change and supplier diversity into the procurement process.

Together with Category Partners and employing your experience in information technology software and services and category management, you will drive year-over-year growth and continuous improvement in the Information Technology Software and Services category. You will use your strong communication and analytical skills to build and lead cross-functional, results-driven teams to construct and manage the statewide contract sourcing process end-to-end, including market research, trend analysis, solicitation development, evaluation, negotiations, and vendor relationship management. You will foster a positive, innovative, and purpose-driven culture that can effectively manage ambiguity and uncertainty to remain focused on achieving desired procurement outcomes.

Your success in this role will be measured by your ability to cultivate strategic relationships with stakeholders that create flexible, innovative, buyer centric contracts that deliver best procurement value and incorporate key initiatives like positive climate change and supplier diversity into your portfolios as well as grow the use of your contracts improving addressable spend.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Team Management:

• Build and manage best in class strategic teams of internal and external experts to provide subject matter expertise for the sourcing process.
• Monitor strategic team members’ performance.
• Foster and maintain an innovative and collaborative team environment.

Strategic Planning:

• Lead the development and implementation of category strategies.
• Analyze market trends and customer insights to identify opportunities and risks.
• Collaborate with cross functional teams to implement and manage category strategies.
• Deliver products and services that anticipate customer needs 

Category Management: 

• Oversee the pricing, promotion, and portfolio offerings for assigned categories.
• Develop and execute category strategies to drive best value procurement.
• Manage category performance based on annual goals and objectives. 
• Ensure product and service availability to meet customer needs.
• Develop exit strate