Category Manager, Groceries, Clothing, and Energy

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 strategic sourcing, print and mail, surplus property, and more. Join us and make a lasting impact.

The Strategic Sourcing Unit is a forward-thinking, innovative team focused on delivering high value to our customers as part of the Strategic Sourcing category management team.  Using your strong communication, analytical, and category portfolio management talent, you will drive growth across your portfolios. Purchases under all OSD statewide contracts currently exceed $2.2 billion.

We seek a dynamic individual to manage the Groceries, Clothing, and Energy categories with a focus on exceeding customer expectations.  You would be expected to use your knowledge of category management to guide the advancement of your categories to ensure that we have anticipated the future needs of our customers through research, vendor relationship management, and trend analysis that will drive year-over-year growth. 

In this role, you will work closely with our buyers, vendors and customers to incorporate key government initiatives like positive climate change into your portfolios.  You will develop innovative sourcing and procurement strategies and approaches to provide strong and flexible contracts that deliver the best value. 

Working with a category partner, the Strategic Sourcing Category Manager is responsible for leading cross functional teams to construct and manage the Statewide Contract sourcing process including research, proposal development, evaluation and analysis, contract negotiations, contract execution, contract and vendor management. You will lead strategic sourcing teams to ensure the goals of the Statewide Contracts meet the needs of those who use them, including executive agencies, municipalities and other eligible entities.   You will foster a positive, innovative, and purpose-driven culture that can effectively manage ambiguity and uncertainty to remain focused on achieving desired sourcing outcomes.

Your success in this role will be measured by your ability to cultivate strategic relationships with stakeholders that create flexible, innovative, customer-focused contracts that deliver best procurement value and incorporate key initiatives like positive climate change and supplier diversity into your portfolios.

OSD is looking for candidates with the aptitude to work independently and as part of teams to set and meet key deliverables and objectives. Successful candidates will have the following skills and competencies to fulfill the responsibilities of the Strategic Sourcing Category Manager.

Key Responsibilities:

• Team Management:
  • Build and manage a best in class Strategic Sourcing team of internal and external experts.
  • 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.
  • Anticipate future customer needs and provide products and services that meet those needs before and during purchase.
• Category Management:
  • Oversee the pricing,