Purpose:

The Associate Director, Category Management - Technology partners with VP-level business andf IT stakeholder(s) 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 an annual strategic plan to achieve ambitious performance targets aligned with organizational goals.  

Responsibilities

•Partner with VP-level business and IT stakeholders to develop global procurement strategies for the technology category.  Key subcategories include software and technology services.

•Build a comprehensive annual strategic plan for the relevant category, incorporating category strategies that align with overall business goals.

•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.

• Identify opportunities for process optimization and efficiency gains, leveraging our enterprise Source to Pay and data analytics platforms 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.

•Coach a team of Managers, setting ambitious performance targets, providing tailored coaching, and evaluating team performance. Assist in planning to address skillsets, workforce requirements, capability needs, and long-term organizational staffing goals.