Category Manager

Job Summary

This role creates strategies around assigned contract categories, functions, and commodities. It involves developing business plans for broad contract areas, negotiating all client and GPO contracts, and managing related operational activities. The incumbent provides guidance and coaching to Contract Managers, Sourcing Specialists, and other department resources, oversees high‑value and strategic bids across various commodities, and coordinates GPO business operations. Key activities include building high‑level strategic relationships with client leaders and supplier partners, and presenting business cases to senior leadership.

• Create strategic business plans for various contract categories to support overall category or function management.
• Include market environment, health system plans, time‑frames, and contracting strategy in plans.
• Oversee commodity areas and provide guidance to ensure successful execution of the strategic plan.
• Serve as principal investigator, assist in project management, and act as contractual expert on specific projects.
• Support staff on assigned projects to ensure timely and cost‑effective completion of contractual requirements.
• Participate in shaping policies, procedures, and strategies related to strategic sourcing.
• Follow the sourcing process to manage high‑value and strategic contracting functions, develop business cases, and present to senior leadership.
• Monitor contract performance to determine necessary amendments, extensions, and ensure compliance with both the business partner and clients.
• Act as primary liaison with contracting principals to resolve contract performance issues.
• Perform other duties as assigned or requested.

Required:

Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent experience and/or education; substitutions not allowed.

Preferred:
Master’s Degree.

Required:

7 years in strategic sourcing, purchasing, or contracting. Experience must include a complete understanding of GPO contracting methods, leading commodity teams, sourcing, bidding, negotiating, detailed data analysis, and awarding major commodity contracts for clinical and non‑clinical products and/or services. Must possess experience in contractual language, performance measures, detailed financial data analysis, and claims arbitration; demonstrate data management and analysis skills along with internet and e‑sourcing techniques.

Preferred:
Demonstrated experience leading and facilitating cross‑functional teams.

Required:

None.

Preferred:
None.

• Proficient presenting to all audiences.
• Ability to develop and articulate contract recommendations to all stakeholders.
• Utilizes industry and market trend knowledge to develop long‑term business strategies.
• Effectively persuades others and encourages commitment to new approaches.
• Self‑confident and responsive to challenges.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Conveys complex topics concisely to audiences at all levels and in various sizes.
• Understands business issues, metrics, organizational linkages, and customer value.
• Experience achieving results through people in complex environments.
• 5+ years of experience with Microsoft Office, Word, Excel, Outlook, Lotus Notes, and the Internet.
• Strong understanding of contracts, contract law, and negotiation.
• Strong analytical ability, financial acumen, and project management skills.
• Extensive knowledge of assessing and recommending creative and time‑sensitive solutions.
• Resolving operational issues within policies and procedural standards.

Position Type:
Office Based.

Travel Required:

0%–25%.

Lifting: up to 10pounds frequently; 10–25pounds sometimes; 25–50pounds rarely.

Highmark Health and its affiliates prohibit discrimination against qualified individuals based on veteran or disability status, and on any category protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. All individuals are afforded equal employment opportunities. The company complies with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) regulations and all other federal, state, and local laws governing quality of employment opportunities for all applicants, employees, and volunteers.

Minimum: $94,200.00 – Maximum: $. Base pay is determined by qualifications, experience, and expected contributions, as well as internal peer equity, market, and business considerations. Geographic differentials may apply depending on location.