Principal Sourcing & Contract Manager

About Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota At Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota, we are committed to paving the way for everyone to achieve their healthiest life. We are looking for dedicated and motivated individuals who share our vision of transforming healthcare. As a Blue Cross associate, you are joining a culture that is built on values of succeeding together, finding a better way, and doing the right thing. If you are ready to make a difference, join us. The Impact You Will Have Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota is looking for a Principal Sourcing & Contract Manager to join or organization. In this role, The Principal Sourcing and Contract Manager leads strategic sourcing and contract negotiations for a broad portfolio of vendors across the organization, with a focus on cost optimization, risk mitigation, and effective cross‑enterprise partnerships. This role supports high‑impact vendor categories including medical management and member health programs, government markets (Medicare and Medicaid‑related vendors), and corporate services spanning marketing, finance, HR, legal, and strategy. Operating as a senior individual contributor, this role owns the full sourcing lifecycle-identifying vendors, leading competitive sourcing events, negotiating pricing and terms, and drafting and executing contracts. While vendor management is provided primarily at a strategic level, the core emphasis is on sourcing rigor, strong negotiation, and contract structures that protect the organization and enable long‑term value. The role works across a wide and complex stakeholder landscape, partnering with multiple VPs and cross‑functional teams, including Finance, Compliance, and business leaders with differing priorities. Success requires the ability to navigate competing goals, drive alignment, and apply critical thinking to balance financial discipline with operational and regulatory needs. Your Responsibilities Sourcing: * Lead supplier identification and evaluation for high‑impact or enterprise‑critical efforts, developing evaluation frameworks, assessing strategic fit, and guiding stakeholders toward suppliers that optimize quality, cost, reliability, and long‑term value. Strong knowledge about the suppliers within the category or division being supported. * Implements industry trends into best practices. * Collaborate with internal stakeholders to understand their requirements, recommend additional requirements based on your expertise, and provide sourcing support. * Strongly recommend vendor RFx events for underperforming vendors, and those vendors who have been with the organization for multiple years. * Lead vendor selection and negotiation processes to secure favorable terms and a strong long-term partnership, using negotiation techniques to better the strategic position of Blue Cross. Contracting: * Own the drafting, reviewing, and negotiation of contracts, and service level agreements with suppliers, needing minimal legal or contracting center of excellence (COE) assistance. * Ensure that contract terms and conditions align with organizational goals and are more favorable then current contracting standards when applicable. * Mitigate contractual risks and ensure compliance with legal and regulatory requirements. * Collaborate with shared service teams, including but not limited to Legal, Risk, Technology, and Compliance, both facilitating and ideating resolution of contractual issues and ensuring alignment with corporate governance. * Manage contract repository and maintain accurate documentation for audits and reporting. * Manage contract pipeline, ensuring renewal dates are known, managed appropriately, and allow time for changes in contract terms. Vendor Management: * Develop and maintain strong relationships with vendors, fostering effective communication and collaboration. * Identify and implement solutions to drive performance improvement and cost reduction through vendor optimization and other means. * Provide complex problem resolution through support, influence, and expertise to Relationship Managers, Performance Managers and Compliance Managers. * Lead the facilitate the resolution of escalated vendor-related issues, brining in Vendor Governance Team as applicable and Leadership following unsuccessful attempt(s). Negotiation: * Support enterprise-level or high-value negotiations with vendors to secure favorable pricing, terms, and conditions. * Support cost savings initiatives through effective negotiation strategies, involving more complex strategies such as longer term consolidation or alignment of term dates. * Collaborate with business stakeholders to understand their needs, making strong recommendations to ensure and align negotiation outcomes with organizational objectives and cost savings. Collaboration: * Work closely with cross-functional teams such as operations, finance, compliance, security and legal to ensure seamless sourcing processes. * Bring sourcing strategy ideas to internal stakeholders that may align with business objectives or enterprise objectives. * Drives cross-functional alignment through effective communication and collaboration between internal teams and external vendors. * Serves as a SME, trains others, and represents the Blue Cross Procurement Services team with senior leaders. Required Skills and Experience * 7+ years of related professional experience. All relevant experience including work, education, transferable skills, and military experience will be considered. * Prior experience related to health plans, vendor management, sourcing, and contract drafting and negotiation activities. * Ability to develop and maintain relationships with leadership across the organization. * Ability to work independently, in a team, or lead a large-scale project. * Excellent complex problem-solving skills, conflict resolution, facilitation and consensus building skills. * Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, including communication and presentations to executives. * Demonstrated experience communicating with diverse internal and external audiences. * Relationship management skills with internal and external stakeholders. * Able to influence internal and external stakeholders to achieve desired outcomes. * Ability to proactively identify and resolve problems, mitigating costs and risk for the enterprise. * Expert organizational skills with an ability to lead complex, cross‑functional work while establishing customer service standards, ensuring timely execution across teams, and driving continuous improvements in service delivery. * High school diploma (or equivalency) and legal authorization to work in the U.S. Preferred Skills and Experience * Bachelor's degree in business or related field Compensation and Benefits: Pay Range: $102,400.00 - $138,300.00 - $174,200.00 Annual Pay is based on several factors which vary based on position, including skills, ability, and knowledge the selected individual is bringing to the specific job. We offer a comprehensive benefits package which may include: * Medical, dental, and vision insurance * Life insurance * 401k * Paid Time Off (PTO) * Volunteer Paid Time Off (VPTO) * And more To discover more about what we have to offer, please review our benefits page. Role Designation Hybrid Anchored in Connection Our hybrid approach is designed to balance flexibility with meaningful in-person connection and collaboration. We come together in the office two days each week - most teams designate at least one anchor day to ensure team interaction. These in-person moments foster relationships, creativity, and alignment. The rest of the week you are empowered to work remote. Equal Employment Opportunity Statement At Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota, we are committed to paving the way for everyone to achieve their healthiest life. Blue Cross of Minnesota is an Equal Opportunity Employer and maintains an Affirmative Action plan, as required by Minnesota law applicable to state contractors. All qualified applications will receive consideration for employment without regard to, and will not be discriminated against based on any legally protected characteristic. Individuals with a disability who need a reasonable accommodation in order to apply, please contact us at: View email address on click.appcast.io. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota and Blue Plus are nonprofit independent licensees of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.