The Category Manager - Services develops and executes enterprise category strategies that optimize value, manage risk, and enable business growth through data-driven decision-making, digital procurement capabilities, and strategic supplier partnerships. Working collaboratively across Procurement COE, Operations, Finance, Legal, HR, Compliance, and business stakeholders, this role leverages analytics, market intelligence, and modern procurement technologies to deliver measurable business outcomes, operational excellence, and continuous improvement.
Hybrid Work Schedule:• This is a hybrid position which consists of reporting to our 100 Church Street, NYC office 3 days per week (Tuesdays/Wednesdays/Thursdays).
Scope of Responsibilities:Category Strategy, Value Management & Planning
• Develop and execute multi-year category strategies for services aligned with enterprise objectives, balancing cost optimization, supplier innovation, risk management, operational resilience, and business growth.
• Utilize enterprise procurement technologies, spend analytics, AI-enabled procurement capabilities, and market intelligence to develop data-driven category strategies and improve procurement decision-making.
• Leverage spend analytics, digital insights, market intelligence, demand forecasting, and benchmarking to identify sourcing opportunities and optimize total cost of ownership.
• Evaluate outsourcing models, supplier capabilities, and emerging service providers to support continuous category improvement.
• Monitor category performance through financial, operational, supplier, and service delivery KPIs.
Strategic Sourcing & Commercial Management
• Lead end-to-end strategic sourcing initiatives in partnership with COE & Strategic Sourcing Specialists, including market analysis, RFx development, supplier evaluation, commercial negotiations, and contract award.
• Develop sourcing strategies, evaluation methodologies, and commercial recommendations in partnership with Strategic Sourcing Specialists.
• Lead cross-functional sourcing teams including Legal, Finance, HR, Compliance, and business stakeholders.
• Negotiate commercial terms that maximize enterprise value while managing financial, legal, operational, and supplier risk.
• Ensure contracts support measurable business outcomes and ongoing supplier performance.
Supplier Relationship Management
• Develop strategic supplier partnerships that drive innovation, operational excellence, and continuous value creation.
• Foster supplier innovation by identifying opportunities for new services, emerging technologies, process improvement, automation, digital capabilities, enhanced customer experience & business value creation.
• Lead supplier performance reviews using data-driven scorecards, SLAs, operational KPIs, and business outcomes.
• Develop supplier improvement plans and corrective action initiatives where performance expectations are not achieved.
• Collaborate with business stakeholders and suppliers to continuously improve service delivery and operational performance.
Business Partnership & Stakeholder Engagement
• Serve as the trusted procurement advisor for business functions, aligning procurement strategies with enterprise priorities.
• Partner with Operations leadership to understand current and future outsourcing requirements and support strategic business initiatives.
• Collaborate with Finance, Legal, HR, Compliance, Procurement Operations, & Procurement COE teams-including Procurement Intelligence and Digital Transformation-to deliver integrated procurement solutions.
• Promote procurement best practices, governance, stakeholder engagement, and change management throughout the procurement lifecycle.
Governance, Risk & Continuous Improvement
• Ensure procurement activities comply with enterprise procurement policies, delegated authority, regulatory requirements, and supplier governance standards.
• Assess supplier, operational, financial, privacy, compliance, and business continuity risks and implement mitigation strategies.
• Continuously improve procurement processes, supplier governance, user experience, and digital adoption through automation, standardization, and best practices.
• Support Internal Audit, Compliance, supplier assessments, and operational reviews as required.
Minimum Qualifications:• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Supply Chain Management, Finance, Operations Management or equivalent & related experience listed below.
• Minimum 5 years of experience in strategic sourcing, category management, procurement, or supplier management.
• Strong knowledge of commercial negotiations, contract lifecycle management, supplier relationship management, and outsourcing models.
• Excellent analytical, communication, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills.
Preferred Qualifications:• Master's degree (MBA or related discipline).
• CPSM, CIPS, or equivalent procurement certification.
• Healthcare payer or managed care experience.
• Experience using enterprise procurement platforms such as Workday, Coupa, or Ariba.
• Knowledge of supplier governance, performance management, and outsourcing best practices.
Hiring Range*:
- Greater New York City Area (NY, NJ, CT residents): $103,400 - $149,430
- All Other Locations (within approved locations): $88,700 - $131,920
As a candidate for this position, your salary and related elements of compensation will be contingent upon your work experience, education, licenses and certifications, and any other factors Healthfirst deems pertinent to the hiring decision.
In addition to your salary, Healthfirst offers employees a full range of benefits such as, medical, dental and vision coverage, incentive and recognition programs, life insurance, and 401k contributions (all benefits are subject to eligibility requirements). Healthfirst believes in providing a competitive compensation and benefits package wherever its employees work and live.
*The hiring range is defined as the lowest and highest salaries that Healthfirst in "good faith" would pay to a new hire, or for a job promotion, or transfer into this role.
