Category Manager, Procurement

Category ManagerThe 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 ResponsibilitiesCategory 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 competitivenessStrategic 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.ExperienceRequired3-5 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.SkillsStrategic 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.EducationRequiredBachelor'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.PreferredMaster's degreeLicenses or CertificationsRequiredNonePreferredCPSM or C.P.M.Language (Other than English): NoneTravel Required: Less than 25%Physical, Mental Demands and Working ConditionsPosition Type: HybridPhysical work site required Frequently