Senior Manager, IT Category Management (Procurement) - (Hybrid)

Lead a team of procurement and vendor management professionals responsible for developing and executing full lifecycle procurement strategies with a focus on optimizing value, risk, and performance across the information technology vendor ecosystem. Reporting to the Procurement Director, you will lead a team responsible for managing $100M+ in annual IT spend across a complex supplier ecosystem. You will lead and coach the procurement team to build and execute robust category strategies, sourcing pipelines, negotiation playbooks, contract management, and vendor management best practices. Leveraging strong business acumen, planning, and communication skills, this leader will develop strong stakeholder relationships at all levels of the organization and will be adept at leading and influencing cross‑functionally to drive business alignment. Compensation Range: $113,000.00 – $194,000.00 (salary). Compensation may vary based on the job level and geographic work location. Relocation support is offered for eligible candidates. Primary Accountabilities Leadership & Team Development Lead, coach, and develop a high‑performing team of sourcing and vendor management professionals. Foster a collaborative, performance‑driven environment built on trust, transparency, and accountability. Set clear goals, provide ongoing feedback, conduct performance evaluations, and support professional development. Promote engagement and continuous improvement as the team strengthens American Family’s procurement capabilities. Category Strategy & Strategic Sourcing Lead the development of enterprise IT category strategies aligned with American Family’s technology roadmap and financial goals. Oversee the full sourcing lifecycle including market analysis, RFX execution, supplier evaluation, negotiation strategy, and contract execution. Build structured sourcing pipelines, negotiation guides, and sourcing best practices across the IT procurement team. Identify opportunities for cost optimization, supplier consolidation, and improved commercial models across the IT vendor portfolio. Vendor Management & Governance Establish governance frameworks to manage supplier performance, contract compliance, and service delivery across strategic technology vendors. Lead supplier relationship management and performance reviews with important partners. Ensure contract management practices and agreement on commercial, legal, and operational requirements. Monitor supplier risk and performance, reporting progress, vendor performance, and market trends to senior leadership. Stakeholder Partnership & Value Delivery Develop strong partnerships with technology and business leaders to support strategic initiatives and enterprise programs. Promote category management, strategic sourcing, and vendor management practices that enhance value and mitigate risk. Use data analysis and performance metrics to communicate insights, influence strategy, and support decision‑making. Align team resources and sourcing priorities to support key business initiatives and operational goals. Specialized Knowledge & Skills Requirements Demonstrated experience providing customer‑driven solutions, support or service. Solid communication and influencing skills across varying leadership levels. Demonstrated experience driving business results. Demonstrated experience in creating meaningful data analysis and metrics to support business needs. Demonstrated problem‑solving skills related to complex vendor matters. Extensive knowledge of vendor contracts and commercial/legal terms and conditions. Additional Specialized Knowledge & Skills Experience leading sourcing initiatives within large enterprise organizations managing substantial technology spend. Experience working within large, highly matrixed organizations with extensive supplier portfolios. Demonstrated ownership of $100M+ in annual category spend with responsibility for sourcing strategy, negotiations, and supplier management. Deep knowledge of procurement processes including category strategy development, RFX execution, supplier evaluation, contract negotiation, and vendor governance. Strong commercial acumen with the ability to develop total cost of ownership models and supplier benchmarks. Experience using data analysis and metrics to develop insights, communicate strategy, and influence business decisions through effective storytelling. Strong problem‑solving capabilities with the ability to navigate complex vendor and commercial situations. Demonstrated experience leading teams and developing procurement talent. Strong communication and influencing skills across multiple levels of leadership. Ability to manage complex initiatives and drive alignment across cross‑functional stakeholders. Customer‑focused mindset with experience delivering measurable results. Travel Requirements Up to 20% travel as required. Physical Requirements Work that primarily involves sitting/standing. Benefits and Rewards Medical, dental, vision, and well-being benefits. 401(k) contribution, pension plan, annual incentive, 9 paid holidays, paid time off (23 days accrued annually for full‑time employees). Student loan repayment program and paid‑family leave available. Interns and contingent workers are not eligible for benefits. Equal Opportunity Employer We are an equal opportunity employer. It is our policy to comply with all applicable federal, state, and local laws pertaining to non‑discrimination, non‑harassment, and equal opportunity. We also consider qualified applicants with criminal histories, consistent with applicable federal, state, and local law. American Family Insurance is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. If a reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please email View email address on click.appcast.io to request a reasonable accommodation. #J-18808-Ljbffr