Procurement Category Manager

Position Overview

AllSTEM Connections is seeking a Procurement Category Manager for a prestigious client. This is a fully remote, long-term contract role (1 year) offering an hourly rate between $60 and $65. The role involves leading procurement activities for assigned categories with stakeholders and suppliers primarily in the US and potentially internationally.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage assigned procurement categories by conducting assessments to inform recommendations, including onboarding new suppliers.
• Collaborate with business partners to develop contract negotiation strategies, lead vendor negotiations, oversee contract redlining, and consult subject matter experts on special contract terms.
• Implement cost-saving initiatives, measure their impact, and monitor performance to confirm realization of savings.
• Oversee comprehensive procurement processes including strategy development, bidder selection, proposal evaluation, supplier selection, total cost analysis, and savings calculations.
• Perform spend analytics, benchmarking, market research, and engage with stakeholders to shape procurement strategies.
• Develop strategies to manage spending, mitigate risks, and enhance organizational value using data analytics and industry best practices.
• Continuously monitor projects to ensure timely reporting of savings.
• Lead or participate in business reviews, address underperforming suppliers, and identify opportunities for continuous improvement.

Interaction and Work Environment

Collaborate with internal customers, including executives, and engage suppliers during contract reviews, negotiations, and contract execution. The work environment is a standard office setup requiring moderate to heavy phone use, extended sitting, with flexibility for additional work hours as needed. The position includes occasional travel (approx. 10%) and requires flexible working hours to meet project deadlines.

Education and Experience Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent relevant work experience in a similar role.
• Minimum of 8 years’ procurement experience, with at least 4 years managing assigned categories.
• Professional certifications such as ISM CPSM are preferred.

Skills and Knowledge

• Demonstrated expertise in supplier management, contract negotiations, procurement strategy, and spend analytics.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills tailored to executive-level interactions.
• Excellent customer service capabilities, capable of collaborating effectively within a global cross-functional team including Legal, Finance, and Compliance.
• Experience in healthcare or other regulated sectors, familiar with quality management system procedures.
• Ability to work across global teams, managing multiple time zones and cultures.
• Proven success in high-performance organizations, contributing innovative procurement ideas.
• Familiarity with diverse procurement strategies such as competitive bidding, direct negotiation, gainsharing, reverse auctions, and buying consortia.
• Strong organizational and project management skills to handle multiple high-priority projects simultaneously.
• Strategic problem-solving ability, quick decision-making in dynamic environments, and adherence to corporate policies with urgency.
• Advanced analytical skills for evaluating savings opportunities, vendor consolidation, spending trends, and contract performance, with attention to detail.
• Adaptability to anticipate and respond to risks or organizational changes pragmatically.