Sr Category Manager, Professional & Outsourced Services

Senior Category Manager, Professional & Outsourced Services

Join Pacific Life as a Senior Category Manager in either Charlotte, NC or Newport Beach, CA. Relocation assistance may be provided.

How You’ll Help Move Us Forward

• Develop and execute sourcing category strategies for professional services including BPO, TPA, management consulting, actuarial consulting, general consulting, and other specialty services.
• Lead multiple medium‑to‑high risk and complex projects simultaneously.
• Conduct market research, benchmarking, and analysis to inform category strategies.
• Lead RFx initiatives and contract negotiations to maximize value, reduce costs, and mitigate risk.
• Redline contracts to ensure compliance with corporate policies and favorable terms.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with internal stakeholders and senior leadership.
• Partner with Vendor Management to define and monitor SLAs and KPIs.
• Drive alignment, adoption, and compliance with category strategies across the organization.
• Lead cross‑functional teams and projects as needed.
• Perform advanced quantitative analysis to assess financial impacts and category performance.
• Interpret complex data, identify trends, and make data‑driven decisions to optimize procurement processes.
• Develop models to improve cost efficiency and business outcomes.
li>Champion the adoption of new technologies and best practices to enhance procurement effectiveness.
• Identify and implement opportunities for continuous process improvement and innovation.
• Ensure compliance with regulatory requirements, risk management standards, and corporate policies.
• Manage international vendors and lead global sourcing initiatives.

The Experience You Bring

• Bachelor’s Degree required; MBA or advanced degree preferred.
• 10+ years of hands‑on Strategic Sourcing experience.
• Proven expertise in Category Management for Professional Services including BPO, TPA, management consulting, actuarial consulting, general consulting, and other specialty services.
• Experience with ERP, GRC, and Procurement systems (e.g., Coupa, Archer, People Soft).
• Advanced proficiency in Excel; strong skills in PowerPoint and Word.
• Strong mathematical and analytical skills with attention to detail.
• Excellent interpersonal, leadership, and communications skills.
• Demonstrated success in stakeholder management and vendor negotiations.
• Experience in risk management, compliance, and global strategic sourcing.

What Makes You Stand Out

• Procurement certifications (e.g., CPSM, CIPS).
• Experience in emerging technologies such as RPA, AI, and blockchain.
• Familiarity with business intelligence tools (e.g., Tableau, Alteryx, Power
  
  BI).
• Track record of managing large strategic professional services vendors.
• Deep knowledge of RFx processes and contract lifecycle management.

People come first here. We’re committed to an inclusive workforce.

EEO Statement

Pacific Life Insurance Company is an Equal Opportunity /Affirmative Action Employer. If you are a qualified individual with a disability or a disabled veteran, you have the right to request an accommodation if you are unable or limited in your ability to use or access our career center as a result of your disability. To request an accommodation, contact a Human Resources Representative at Pacific Life Insurance Company.