Job Title: Category Specialist
Location: Remote
Position Overview
The Category Specialist plays a critical role supporting Vendor category strategy, vendor management and governance, as well as procurement operations. In this role you will collaborate across the Horace Mann enterprise organization to ideate on sourcing strategies, process improvement initiatives and look for ways to reduce expense and reinvest in the business. The ideal candidate will have a process improvement mindset, experience negotiating vendor contracts and administering RFPs, strong analytical skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities at once.
Key Responsibilities:
Strategic Sourcing:
- Assist in the development and execution of vendor spend category strategies aligned with organizational goals.
- Conduct spend analysis, market research, and supplier performance evaluations.
- Support sourcing initiatives, including RFP/RFQ preparation, bid analysis, and contract negotiations.
- Monitor category performance metrics and identify opportunities for cost reduction and value creation.
- Partner with internal stakeholders to understand business needs and ensure supplier alignment.
- Maintain accurate data, reports, and documentation within Workday procurement systems.
- Track industry trends, pricing changes, and supplier and AI innovations relevant to assigned categories.
- Assist in managing supplier relationships, ensuring quality, compliance, and service-level performance.
Qualifications & Experience:
- Education: Bachelor's degree in Business, Supply Chain, Finance, Accounting, Economics, or a related field.
- Experience: 5+ years of experience in Indirect Sourcing and/or Procurement, or Consulting.
- Technical Skills:
- Experience leading sourcing initiatives or negotiating vendor contracts.
- Knowledge of procurement best practices and category management frameworks.
- Exposure to budget management or cost-optimization projects.
- Strong data analysis and Excel/Sheets skills; familiarity with procurement tools (e.g., Coupa, Ariba, Zycus, Workday) preferred.
- Soft Skills:
- Highly collaborative with the ability to drive results.
- Strong problem-solving and decision-making skills.
- Capable of managing multiple priorities and deadlines.
- Strong presentation, communication, and relationship-building skills.
- Attention to detail.
- Highly organized.
- Team player with a can-do attitude.
Salary Range: $71,500.00 - $105,400.00
Horace Mann was founded in 1945 by two Springfield, Illinois, teachers who saw a need for quality, affordable auto insurance for teachers. Since then, we’ve broadened our mission to helping all educators protect what they have today and prepare for a successful tomorrow. And with our broadened mission has come corporate growth: We serve more than 4,100 school districts nationwide, we’re publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange (symbol: HMN) and we have more than $12 billion in assets.
We’re motivated by the fact that educators take care of our children’s future, and we believe they deserve someone to look after theirs. We help educators identify their financial goals and develop plans to achieve them. This includes insurance to protect what they have today and financial products to help them prepare for their future. Our tailored offerings include special rates and benefits for educators.
EOE/Minorities/Females/Veterans/Disabled. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status
For applicants that are California residents, please review our California Consumer Privacy Notice
All applicants should review our Horace Mann Privacy Policy
Top Skills
What We Do
Horace Mann was founded in 1945 by two educators in Springfield, Ill., who believed teachers deserved affordable auto insurance. Originally called the Illinois Education Association Mutual Insurance Company, our name was changed to honor the father of the American public education system, Horace Mann. We are proud to share his name.
At Horace Mann, the hard work, commitment and dedication of our employees are the foundation of our success. And today we are the largest, national multiline insurance company dedicated to serving America’s educators and their families.
Our purpose is to provide lifelong financial well-being for educators and their families through personalized service, advice, and a full range of tailored insurance and financial products. Through our professional agents and their staff, we offer insurance and financial products to the educational community across the United States.
