The Category Sourcing Manager will be responsible for developing and driving category management strategies and all activities throughout the program and supplier lifecycle.
Responsibilities Responsibilities include but are not limited to:
Develop sourcing strategies for corporate indirect services spend by conducting analysis of market trends and potential suppliers, leading requests for proposals, analysis of TCO, and opportunities to leverage changes in processes, systems and product/services, and estimating timing and level of savings
Negotiates contracts for corporate indirect services and participate in vendor management activities with internal business teams
Manage business relationships with key suppliers including routine enhancements to agreements, communication of demand/volume changes, updating contracts, and sharing end-user feedback
Develop recommendations and strategies to ensure adequate compliance monitoring, and benefits tracking
Responsible for effective risk and compliance management with regards to category management
Follow the uniform implementation of category management strategies and sourcing approaches
Responsible for conducting proper financial analysis and due-diligence to support benefits estimation and documentation
Deliver category or project-specific presentations to internal and external stakeholders
Negotiate all elements of assigned supplier relationships to ensure lowest total cost of procurement, including: product cost, performance, rebates, etc.
Resolve quality/service issues and ensure best customers experience through working with suppliers and internal business partners
Define, execute, and/or monitor specific performance metrics and goals relevant to each supplier relationship
Lead and/or support cross-functional continuous improvement initiatives and other special projects to improve the overall business
Serve as the subject matter expert for the product categories by leveraging demonstrated industry knowledge/insight and through ongoing customer interaction, market research, and participation in industry trade events
Qualifications The ideal candidate possesses the following qualifications:
BA/BS required, MBA preferred
Experience with traditional indirect categories, i.e. Corporate Travel, Energy, Information Technology, Temporary Labor, etc.
Experience in category management or strategic sourcing and pricing and contract T&Cs negotiations; negotiation aptitude
Superior communication skills
Service-oriented mindset, with a desire to ensure client satisfaction
Demonstrated ability to work cross-functionally and influence without direct authority
Strong project management skills
Demonstrated analytical skills and intellectual curiosity
Financial acumen
Detail orientation
A proven problem solver
International experience a plus
QualificationsQualifications The ideal candidate possesses the following qualifications:
BA/BS required, MBA preferred
Experience with traditional indirect categories, i.e. Corporate Travel, Energy, Information Technology, Temporary Labor, etc.
Experience in category management or strategic sourcing and pricing and contract T&Cs negotiations; negotiation aptitude
Superior communication skills
Service-oriented mindset, with a desire to ensure client satisfaction
Demonstrated ability to work cross-functionally and influence without direct authority
Strong project management skills
Demonstrated analytical skills and intellectual curiosity
Financial acumen
Detail orientation
A proven problem solver
International experience a plus
Additional InformationAll your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.
Skills Required
- BA/BS degree
- MBA
- Experience with traditional indirect categories (Corporate Travel, Energy, Information Technology, Temporary Labor)
- Experience in category management or strategic sourcing, pricing and contract T&Cs negotiations
- Negotiation aptitude
- Superior communication skills
- Service-oriented mindset with desire to ensure client satisfaction
- Ability to work cross-functionally and influence without direct authority
- Strong project management skills
- Demonstrated analytical skills and intellectual curiosity
- Financial acumen
- Detail orientation
- Proven problem solver
- International experience
What We Do
Kenna® Group is a full-service product development and merchandise technology firm that builds scalable brand ecosystems for globally recognized companies. They combine creative development, enterprise-grade e-commerce, and global supply chain execution to deliver design, manufacturing, fulfillment, and digital infrastructure, allowing brands to launch and scale world-class merchandise, uniform, and retail programs with speed and consistency.
