Associate Category Manager- Professional Services

Job Summary:

Implements procurement strategies, from initial identification of procurement needs through delivery, for indirect goods and services. Assists with execution of short-term and long-term strategies that align with the Company goals for reducing costs and company financial goals. Responsible for less complex negotiating, coordinating, and assuring that assigned indirect spend categories and services are purchased at the lowest possible cost. Assesses near-term and long-term plans to establish supplier priorities balanced with business needs; consults with Management, and other subject experts to develop alternative solutions; advises on options, risks, total cost of ownership, and business impacts. #LI-NL1

This role is based in our Deerfield, IL office and is on‑site four days a week.

Job Responsibilities:

• Manages day-to-day on-going category supplier relations and seeks outgrowth or revision opportunities within supply base. Acts as the internal point of contact for supplier management and complaint resolution; conducts regular supplier meetings and implements improvement strategies with suppliers. Creates, nurtures, and enhances supplier relationships.
• Under the direction of Category Manager, develops and executes category sourcing strategies, including development and execution of RFI’s and RFP’s, documents bid events through correspondence to suppliers; develops selection criteria; conducts supplier negotiations and ongoing supplier management.
• Assists with development and implementation of business plans, performance goals and metrics for each assigned category. Collaborates with Operations, Legal, Supply Chain and others as needed on cross-functional sourcing opportunities. Actively seeks ways to streamline business processes; researches and provides information on industry category trends and best practices.
• Collaborates on inventory control, including lifecycle of product, and assists in project management of all sourcing activities. Makes suggestions for opportunities to reduce product and service costs.
• Drives tracking and reporting for assigned spend areas; assists with tracking mechanics and supplier key performance indicators with Category Manager. Performs data analysis and modeling.
• Participates in weekly category review meetings with cross-functional teams to manage category performance.
• Assists with the management of category performance by adhering to internal Savings goals and reviewing financial models for commodity type items. Supports the balancing of spend portfolio for reoccurring managed spend through coordinated sourcing activities that leverage both Expanse and Capital work streams.
• Monitor supplier performance to ensure that delivery dates and technical and contractual requirements are met. Participate in strategic meetings with suppliers and business leaders to ensure execution of defined strategies.
• Cultivates team morale, motivation, and loyalty through continuous training and mentorship, proving clear communication and constructive feedback.

About Walgreens
Founded in 1901, Walgreens ( has a storied heritage of caring for communities for generations and proudly serves nearly 9 million customers and patients each day across its approximately 8,500 stores throughout the U.S. and Puerto Rico, and leading omni channel platforms. Walgreens has approximately 220,000 team members, including nearly 90,000 healthcare service providers, and is committed to being the first choice for retail pharmacy and health services, building trusted relationships that create healthier futures for customers, patients, team members and communities.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree and at least 2 years of experience in Retail, Sales, and/or Category Management and/or analyzing related data such as sales trends, assortment selections, or financial planning OR High School GED and at least 4 years of experience in Retail, Sales, and/or Category Management and/or analyzing related data such as sales trends, assortment selections, or financial planning.
• Knowledge of the procurement lifecycle and procurement best practices.
• Experience in supplier negotiations and developing/executing sourcing strategies.
• Experience collaborating with internal and external resources to develop strategies that meet department goals within budget and established timelines.
• Intermediate level skill in Microsoft Excel (for example: using SUM function, setting borders, setting column width, inserting charts, using text wrap, sorting, setting headers and footers and/or print scaling).
• Intermediate level skill in Microsoft PowerPoint (for example: applying a theme, formatting character spacing, inserting a picture, changing slide layout and theme colors, adding transitions, customizing slide numbers, changing chart style and/or formatting font).
• Intermediate level skill in Microsoft Word (for example: inserting headers, page breaks, page numbers and tables and/or adjusting table columns).
• Willing to travel up to 10% of the time for business purposes (within state and out of state).

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in HR and contingent labor categories.

• Proven experience in negotiating commercial agreements

• Experience in financial planning and analysis.

We will consider employment of qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

The Salary below is being provided to promote pay transparency and equal employment opportunities at Walgreens. The actual hourly salary within this range that you will be offered will depend on a variety of factors including geography, skills and abilities, education, experience and other relevant factors. This role will remain open until filled. To review benefits, please click here jobs.walgreens.com/benefits. If you are applying on a job board or unable to click on the link, please copy and paste this URL into your browser jobs.walgreens.com/benefits

Salary Range: $86400 - $138200 / Salaried