Role Summary
The Senior Category Manager, Enabling, will own Category Management activities across Vertex for Enabling categories. Enabling Categories are comprised of Temp Workforce, Consulting & Legal Services, HR Services & Benefits, and Travel categories. This position is expected to create effective sourcing strategies for multi-year, multi-geography in cooperation with stakeholders and the sourcing community. The Senior Manager will interface closely with Business Partners to understand their business priorities and needs, and in turn, to define specific initiatives to support the business (RFx, competitive bid analysis, contract creation, negotiation planning, strategic supplier management). This role is also expected to support the optimization of End-to-End sourcing processes, while enhancing overall User Experience.
Responsibilities
- Leads Category Management for Enabling categories including the development of sourcing strategies, management of strategic supplier relationships and performance management, in addition to tactical RFx activities, when needed.
- Drives the development and implementation of sourcing strategies.
- Performs market research to support Category strategies and/or sourcing activities with the ability to filter data into a relevant, actionable format.
- Manages the Supplier Performance/Relationship Management process that may include Executive Business Reviews.
- Supports the Business Owner with identification of all applicable risks as part of the Sourcing process, including coordination with Risk Subject Matter Experts to properly assess and develop mitigation plans, where necessary.
- Manages complex contract negotiations, leading a cross-functional Company effort (internal stakeholders such as Business Partners, Finance and Legal).
Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree required
- Sourcing experience in Professional Services desired
- Good understanding of the nuances associated with a regulated environment
- AI-ready mindset, passionate individual about AI opportunities and overall impact in Services area
- Embody a Can-Do- Mindset, thriving in ambiguity, while building bridges thanks to innovative solutions, Dreamer
- Solid knowledge of ERP systems, can expertly leverage e-Sourcing tools, including business intelligence and reporting platforms
- Strong analytical capabilities | Project management skills | Good communication and presentation skills, able to clearly articulate opinions in concise and persuasive manner
- Able to work in a collaborative, team environment; ability to cultivate and maintain effective business partner relationships through earned respect and trust
Skills
- Category management
- Strategic sourcing
- RFx and contract negotiations
- Supplier relationship management
- Market research and data analysis
- Risk assessment and mitigation
- Cross-functional collaboration
- ERP systems and e-Sourcing tools
- Business intelligence and reporting