Sr. Manager, Procurement Category Management - IT & Telecom

POSITION SUMMARY:

The primary responsibility of the Senior Procurement Category Manager is to lead the full category management lifecycle process for IT and Telecom categories, including development of the detailed category management strategy and identification of opportunities. 

This role will also own the category strategy implementation and execution activities, will define the annual goals, and will be the primary owner of the management of the supplier relationship process.  This role will work closely with their counterparts and stakeholders to ensure that the strategies are executed to the benefit of the company.  The Senior Manager has management oversight and responsibility for procurement team relating to IT and Telecom procurement.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Provides direction and management support for the Technology category management team, including setting goals and ensuring that the team is working toward achievement of those goals, providing assistance and guidance as needed.
• Leads the full category management lifecycle process for large, global categories including gathering, analyzing, and reporting on key market intelligence, developing a long-term, multi-year category strategy and development and evaluation of “go to market” strategies.
• Will build strong, trusted relationships with internal stakeholders and assume full responsibility for meeting business needs through: interpreting spend, category planning, deep market knowledge, influencing demand, developing sourcing strategies, deploying RFx, rigorous supplier selection and negotiations, contract development, supplier performance management, and assuring compliance with IPG policies.
• Support the development of sourcing & category work plans with the Director, Global Procurement Operational Services.
• Negotiate the best overall commercial arrangements with suppliers selected through fact-based methods.
• Leverages multiple sources of market intelligence and data to make data-informed decisions.
• Develops a comprehensive view of the balance between supply and demand and actively monitors market conditions on an ongoing basis in order to make informed decisions.
• Has responsibility for the development and evaluation of “go to market” strategies for global categories and can achieve creative commercial outcomes through negotiation planning and successful execution by directing cross functional teams of stakeholders.
• Able to work across business units and engage with category teams and leadership to facilitate positive outcomes for the organization.
• Leads the performance management process for selected global suppliers, including regular business reviews and supports the efforts of the team members with their suppliers.
• Proactively reports progress against global sourcing goals for the specified period driving towards change; challenge existing sourcing decisions; coordinate supplier development strategies; always prove potential for improvement.

EDUCATION, SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS:

• Bachelor’s degree with master’s degree or advanced certification (e.g., MBA, CPM, CPSM, CPSC, PMP) preferred.
• Minimum of 10+ years of progressively increasing responsibility in Sourcing, Category Management, Supply Chain Management, Finance, Management Consulting, or business-related operations in a global environment.
• At least 5 of experience with specific category(ies) is required.
• Deep understanding of category management, strategic sourcing, and supplier relationship management principles and application
• Advanced financial analytical skills and experience in enhancing value through negotiations.
• Strategic orientation, inquisitive, comfortable with ambiguity, and self-motivated to identify trends and improvement opportunities aligned with business objectives and strategic plans.
• Ability to build effective relationships, influence peers and key stakeholders, and built consensus.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills with the ability to tailor messages to the given audience, present information in a clear and concise manner.
• Strong problem solving and analytical skills with ability to extract key themes, determine root causes, develop creative solutions, and craft concise messages.
• Ability to prioritize, organize, and multitask in a flexible, fast-paced and challenging environment.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, and Word skills is highly desired.

NYC SALARY RANGE:

The salary range for this position is $105,000 to $118,000. Where an employee or prospective employee is paid within this range will depend on, among other factors, actual ranges for current/former employees in the subject position; market consider