Sourcing Category Manager

Be part of a forward-thinking, innovative team focused on delivering high value to our customers as part of the Strategic Sourcing category management team. Using your strong communication, analytical, and category portfolio management talent, you will drive growth across your portfolios. Purchases under all OSD statewide contracts currently exceed $2.2 billion. We seek a dynamic individual to manage the Information Technology Equipment and Services and the Information Technology Telecommunications and Networking categories with a focus on exceeding customer expectations. You would be expected to use your knowledge of category management to guide the advancement of your categories to ensure that we have anticipated the future needs of our customers through research, vendor relationship management, and trend analysis that will drive year-over-year growth. In this role, you will work closely with our buyers, vendors and customers to incorporate key government initiatives like positive climate change into your portfolios. You will develop innovative sourcing and procurement strategies and approaches to provide strong and flexible contracts that deliver the best value. Working with a category partner, the Strategic Sourcing Category Manager is responsible for leading cross functional teams to construct and manage the Statewide Contract sourcing process including research, proposal development, evaluation and analysis, contract negotiations, contract execution, contract and vendor management. You will lead strategic sourcing teams to ensure the goals of the Statewide Contracts meet the needs of those who use them, including executive agencies, municipalities and other eligible entities. OSD is looking for candidates with the aptitude to work independently and as part of teams to set and meet key deliverables and objectives. Successful candidates will have the following skills and competencies to fulfill the responsibilities of the Strategic Sourcing Category Manager. Key Responsibilities: · Team Management: o Build and manage a best in class Category team of internal and external experts. o Monitor strategic sourcing members performance. o Foster and maintain an innovative and collaborative team environment. · Strategic Planning: o Lead the development and implementation of category strategies. o Analyze market trends and customer insights to identify opportunities and risks. o Collaborate with cross functional teams to implement and manage category strategies. o Anticipate future customer needs and provide products and services that meet those needs before and during purchase. · Category Management: o Oversee the pricing, promotion, and portfolio offerings for various categories. o Develop and execute category strategies to drive best value procurement. o Manage category performance based on annual goals and objectives. o Ensure optimal product and service availability to meet customer needs. o Develop exit strategies for underperforming offerings to customers. o Ensure alignment with industry trends and market standards. · Vendor and Stakeholder Relations: o Build and maintain strong relationships with vendors, customers and industries within each portfolio. o Negotiate contracts and terms to achieve the best value. o Coordinate with other internal OSD teams to ensure category success and growth. · Performance Monitoring: o Establish, track and analyze category performance metrics. o Implement corrective actions to address any performance issues. o Assess risk and gather intelligence on fundamental market trends and technical information. o Prepare and present regular performance reports to senior management. o Develop and implement category management teams that consistently exceed annual category goals and objectives. In addition to these qualifications, the following competencies are considered key attributes for this role: * o Action Oriented: Proactively takes initiative and drives tasks to completion, demonstrating a sense of urgency and a focus on achieving concrete results. o Manages Ambiguity: Effectively navigates and thrives in situations with unclear or uncertain conditions, making informed decisions, and maintaining a steady course in the face of ambiguity. o Business Insight: Possesses a deep understanding of the organization's industry, market trends, and competitive landscape, using this knowledge to inform strategic decisions. o Effective Communication: Conveys ideas and information clearly and persuasively, tailoring communication style to the audience, and ensuring a shared understanding among diverse stakeholders. o Cultivates Innovation: Encourages a culture of creativity and innovation, fostering an environment where new ideas are welcomed, and continuous improvement is a shared goal. o Drives Results: Sets high standards for performance and actively works towards achieving challenging goals, focusing on delivering measurable and impactful outcomes. o Builds Effective Teams: Creates and sustains high-performing teams by fostering collaboration, leveraging individual strengths, and promoting a positive team culture. o Drives Vision and Purpose: Inspires others by communicating a compelling vision and purpose for the organization, aligning teams toward common goals, and motivating them to achieve exceptional results. o EnsuresAccountability: Demonstrates a commitment to making information, processes, and resources readily available and easily understandable for all stakeholders. o Be Customer focused: Building strong customer relationships and delivering customer-centric solutions. Gaining insight into customers' needs, identifying opportunities that benefit the customer and building and delivering solutions that meet customer expectation. o Drives Collaboration: Building formal and informal partnerships and working together with others to meet shared objectives and getting work done. Crediting others for their contributions and accomplishments thereby gaining their trust and support. Qualifications: * o Bachelor's degree in Supply Management, Information Technology, Business, Marketing, or a related field. o Proven experience in category management or a similar role. o Strong leadership and team management skills. o Excellent research, analytical and strategic planning abilities. o Effective communication and negotiation skills. o Proficiency in data analysis and market research tools. Preferred Skills: * o Knowledge of supply chain and inventory management. o Familiarity with marketing and sales principles. o Public Procurement Experience. o The ability to manage multiple projects and tasks with defined timelines. o Problem Solving and Critical Thinking. o Proficiency with Microsoft Office 365 tools, particularly Teams, Excel, Word, and PowerPoint. MINIMUM ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS: Applicants must have at least (A) five (5) years of full-time or, equivalent part-time, professional, administrative, supervisory, or managerial experience in business administration, business management, public administration, public management, clinical administration or clinical management of which (B) at least one (1) year must have been in a project management, supervisory or managerial capacity or (C) any equivalent combination of the required experience and substitutions below. Substitutions: I. A certificate in a relevant or related field may be substituted for one (1) year of the required (A) experience. II. A Bachelor's degree in a related field may be substituted for two (2) years of the required (A) experience. III. A Graduate degree in a related field may be substituted for three (3) years of the required (A) experience. IV. A Doctorate degree in a related field may be substituted for four (4) years of the required (A) experience. *Comprehensive Benefits* When you embark on a career with the Commonwealth, you are offered an outstanding suite of employee benefits that add to the overall value of your compensation package. We take pride in providing a work experience that supports you, your loved ones, and your future. Want the specifics? Explore our Employee Benefits and Rewards! An Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer. Females, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply. The Commonwealth is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, national origin, veteran status, or any other basis covered by appropriate law. Research suggests that qualified women, Black, Indigenous, and Persons of Color (BIPOC) may self-select out of opportunities if they don't meet 100% of the job requirements. We encourage individuals who believe they have the skills necessary to thrive to apply for this role. Job: Administrative Services* *Organization: Operational Services Division *Title: *Sourcing Category Manager Location: Massachusetts-Boston-1 Ashburton Place Requisition ID: 240008KG