Category Manager
The Opportunity
As a Category Manager, you will be responsible for managing all elements of MassMutual's category strategy for your assigned area. This will include the design, development, and oversight of a category plan (strategy). You will also serve as the lead contact between key business executives and procurement, understanding their strategy and aligning your category strategy appropriately. You will serve as the procurement expert for your category, partnering across the business and with other procurement functional areas including strategic sourcing, supplier diversity, procurement operations, and supplier relationship management. A strong mix of analytic, strategic vision, and communication skills will ensure your success. You will report to the Head of Category Management & Strategic Sourcing.
The Team
The team is comprised of seasoned category management professionals with experience in procurement and category management. In addition, the team includes category analysts who support the category managers in designing and delivering the strategy. The broader procurement team in a rapidly developing and growing group of procurement professionals who are excited about transformation and improving procurement. The team understands the challenges of transformation and is capable of building and managing at the same time. The team is also highly collaborative and supportive, with development & training support available.
The Impact
The category manager will have a profound impact on developing the category playbook and leading strategic planning and delivery for stakeholders.
Your days will include but are not limited to:
Work on developing and updating the category playbook
Meet with key functional stakeholders to understand their strategy
Research and analyze the marketplace to understand trends
Setting up and/or leading strategic sourcing events, some with the support of the strategic sourcing team
Building the category function will be challenging but incredibly rewarding, as you identify opportunities and partner with stakeholders to realize value.
The Minimum Qualifications?
A minimum of 8 years of professional working experience that required building strong relationships with stakeholders and partners
Strong financial acumen and understanding of how effective category management relates to company results
Team player at executive levels who collaborates with business units and functional partners (i.e., IT, finance, HR, legal)
Excellent communication skills and listening skills enabling the stakeholders to align with our procurement best practices
Strong influence skills to encourage leaders from across MassMutual towards positive supplier relationships and results delivery
Courage to influence across the organization for compliance with standards and escalate noncompliance when needed
Knowledgeable about general procurement value stream best practices
Demonstrated verbal and written communication, change management capabilities, business acumen, project management and leadership skills
Strong people leader with the ability to create an environment where teams are inspired, encouraged and motivated
Both think and act strategically; Demonstrate strong judgment in decisions
The Ideal Qualifications?
8 years' experience in IT sourcing, 3rd party relationship function for IT hardware, or in relevant IT hardware sales and/or
8 years' experience in BPO/contingent labor sourcing, 3rd party relationship function for business process outsourcing (BPO) and/or contingent labor and/or
8 years' experience in professional services sourcing, 3rd party relationship function for professional services, or in relevant professional services sales
Extensive experience negotiating agreements and managing complex vendor / client relationships.
Subject Matter Expert in Information Technology / Software licensing and management, including extensive knowledge of market characteristics, cost and fee structures, competitive environment and key trends
Extensive experience in managing technology categories with a diverse set of category-relevant internal business constituents
Bachelor's degree in Business, Finance, Supply Chain Management, or equivalent education and related training
Experience working with VARs
Experience integrating supplier diversity into the category management function; experience working with a supplier diversity team
What to Expect as Part of MassMutual and the?Team?
Regular meetings with the?Procurement Category Management team?
Focused one-on-one meetings with your manager?
Access to mentorship opportunities??
Networking opportunities including access to Asian, Hispanic/Latinx, African American, women, LGBTQ, veteran and disability-focused Business Resource Groups?
Access to learning content on Degreed and other informational platforms?
Your ethics and integrity will be valued by a company with a strong and stable ethical?business with industry leading pay and benefits?
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