JOB SUMMARYThe Category Manager is responsible for developing, implementing, and managing category strategies for assigned spend areas, with a significant emphasis on professional services. This role drives value through strategic sourcing, expert negotiation, and robust supplier relationship management. The Category Manager is expected to apply practical, scenario-based skills in areas such as intake shaping, market approach selection, negotiation planning & execution, and contract performance enablement, acting as a value-added partner to internal stakeholders, driving measurable outcomes, and actively contributing to critical procurement artifacts.
ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES - Category Strategy & Management:
- Develop and implement data-driven category strategies for assigned spend, especially professional services (e.g., consulting, managed services), leveraging market intelligence and internal needs.
- Conduct spend analysis, market research, and competitive intelligence to identify sourcing opportunities and optimize categories.
- Apply Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) principles and should-cost analysis to evaluate sourcing decisions, producing relevant models and worksheets.
- Contribute to supplier rationalization/diversification strategies aligned with Highmark's risk profile & continuity objectives.
- Identify and integrate innovation, AI-driven solutions, digital transformation, and sustainable practices into strategies to maximize long-term outcomes.
- Champion the integration of supplier diversity initiatives into category strategies and supplier selection processes.
- Accountable for delivering validated financial impact aligned to enterprise savings, cost avoidance, and margin improvement in partnership with Finance.
- Continuously benchmark supplier, pricing, and category strategies against external market data and industry standards to ensure competitiveness
- Strategic Sourcing & Negotiation Expertise:
- Lead end-to-end strategic sourcing, including intake shaping, RFx development, rigorous supplier evaluation, and optimal selection.
- Develop and execute effective negotiation strategies, including detailed pre-negotiation planning (objectives, walk-away, concessions, stakeholder alignment).
- Master services negotiation mechanics (e.g., rate cards, labor mix optimization, T&M vs. milestone, change control, total cost value optimization).
- Manage contract lifecycle in Icertis from drafting to execution, ensuring compliance, favorable terms, and effective SOW/SLA drafting aligned to desired outcomes to mitigate pitfalls & protect Highmark's interests.
- Leverage procurement tools (Coupa e-sourcing, Fair market) for sourcing optimization and market approach decisioning.
- Conduct pre-award risk assessments, integrating stakeholder insights and data to mitigate contractual and operational risks.
- Holds decision authority on sourcing strategy, supplier selection, and commercial approach within defined financial and risk thresholds.
- Supplier Performance & Relationship Management:
- Nurture strong, strategic, and collaborative relationships with key suppliers to foster innovation and continuous improvement.
- Stakeholder Management & Business Partnership:
- Cultivate strong, collaborative relationships with internal business partners across departments.
- Proactively engage stakeholders to understand needs, clarify complex requirements (intake shaping), and build consensus.
- Act as a trusted advisor, offering insights and recommendations to optimize spend and enhance value.
- Practice effective negotiation outcome delivery, emphasizing common ground and relationship building.
- Translate complex business requirements into actionable & innovative procurement strategies.
- Effectively manage conflicts with internal stakeholders and suppliers, seeking mutually beneficial resolutions.
- Partner with business and Finance stakeholders to review and optimize spend requests, ensuring investments are necessary, appropriately scoped, and aligned to business priorities before sourcing.
- Process & Technology Optimization:
- Ensure consistent application of procurement policies, procedures, and best practices.
- Leverage and optimize procurement technology (Oracle, Coupa, Archer, Icertis, Sievo) for efficiency and data-driven decision-making.
- Consistently produce and utilize critical procurement artifacts (e.g., detailed negotiation plans, SOW/SLA drafts, TCO models, intake correction tools).
- Drive adoption of digital procurement tools, automation, and AI-enabled capabilities to improve decision-making speed, quality, and scalability.
- Value Creation & Financial Impact:
- Identify, quantify, and consistently deliver measurable value (cost reduction, risk mitigation, innovation, service levels).
- Track, measure, and report on procurement performance against targets and KPIs, emphasizing achievement of defined outcomes.
- Understand and support post-award execution concepts related to value leakage and concession tracking.
- Risk Management & Compliance:
- Ensure all procurement activities adhere to company policies, legal requirements, and ethical standards, utilizing Archer for risk assessments.
- Stay abreast of industry best practices, regulatory changes, and emerging risks relevant to assigned categories, advising stakeholders accordingly.
- Other duties as assigned or requested.
EXPERIENCE Required - 3-5 years of progressive experience in strategic procurement, category management, or supply chain, with a proven track record of independently managing specific spend categories and delivering measurable results. Experience in professional services procurement is highly desirable.
Preferred SKILLS - Strategic Sourcing & Negotiation Expertise: Proven ability to develop and execute effective negotiation strategies for services (rate cards, T&M, milestone-based), leveraging data-driven insights and AI where applicable, coupled with strong TCO and should-cost modeling skills. Experienced in intake shaping, requirements clarification, and drafting robust SOWs/SLAs, including risk mitigation.
- Analytical & Data-Driven: Proficient in spend analysis, market research, data interpretation, and applying market approach decision frameworks. Advanced Excel skills and experience with procurement systems (e.g., Coupa, Icertis, Oracle); familiarity with spend analytics platforms (e.g., Sievo) and basic understanding of AI/ML concepts is a plus.
- Exceptional Communication & Stakeholder Management: Superior interpersonal, presentation, and communication skills, with a demonstrated ability to influence diverse audiences, drive consensus, manage high-stakes conversations, and build strong, collaborative internal stakeholder relationships.
- Project Management & Business Acumen: Solid project management skills, capable of managing multiple initiatives and meeting deadlines. Possesses strong business acumen, is proactive, results-oriented, and a strategic, innovative problem-solver.
- Adaptable & Resilient: A collaborative, ethical, and principle-driven professional with a passion for continuous learning and exploring new technologies like AI. Resilient, adaptable, and thrives in a dynamic, fast-paced, outcome-oriented environment.
EDUCATION Required - Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Finance, or a related field or relevant experience and/or education as determined by the company in lieu of bachelor's degree.
Preferred LICENSES or CERTIFICATIONS Required Preferred Language (Other than English): None
Travel Required: Less than 25%
PHYSICAL, MENTAL DEMANDS and WORKING CONDITIONS Position TypeHybrid
Physical work site required Frequently
Disclaimer: The job description has been designed to indicate the general nature and essential duties and responsibilities of work performed by employees within this job title. It may not contain a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees to do this job.
