Category Manager

Duration: 3 months
Location: Oakland, CA (Hybrid – onsite 3-5 days/month)

Responsibilities:

·        Conduct and document market research and supplier risk analysis to verify the financial health of existing and potential suppliers

·        Create and maintain category plans.

·        Develop and review performance data with suppliers. Work with suppliers to drive ongoing value discovery.

·        Develop and sustain mutually beneficial strategic relationships with tier 1 and cross-portfolio suppliers.

·        Lead cross-functional team through strategic sourcing process and development/execution of negotiation strategies for software, hardware, and telecom categories

·        Lead the development of category strategies of high complexity

·        Maintain awareness of industry and market trends through ongoing research

·        Set market trends on particular commodities by working with the industry on best practices.

·        Subject matter expert for particular commodities or services in the industry.

·        Work with senior management to support strategic planning and decision-making at the officer level'

·        Develop and manage one or more sourcing spend categories and manages all Tier 1 contracts associated with the category(ies).

·        Develop strategic category plans to optimize cost savings, service excellence, diversity spend and total cost of ownership for the categories.

·        Effectively influences LOBs, including senior leadership, to achieve understanding, acceptance, and commitment of sourcing strategies.

·        Work with Line of Business (LOB) to develop, source and negotiate major contracts.

·        Play a key role in Supplier Relationship Management / Scorecard process.

Requirements:

·        Bachelor’s degree

·        10 years of experience in supply chain

·        Sourcing life cycle management experience

·        Strong negotiation skills with demonstrated cost savings

·        Experience managing software, hardware, and /or Telecom

·        Software, hardware, and /or Telecom sourcing experience

·        Ariba experience

·        Procurement experience preferred

·        Preferred certifications: (LSS) Lean Six Sigma Certification, (ISM) Institute for Supply Management or (CPSM) Certified Professional in Supply Management certification

Keywords: category leader, category manager