Category Manager

Salary Range: $105,000 - $125,000

Job Posting End Date: 6/30/2026

This hybrid role requires you to report to an Aflac office in Columbus, GA for at least 60% of the work week. You will work from home for the remaining portion of the week.

• Acting with Integrity
• Communicating Effectively
• Pursuing Self-Development
• Serving Customers
• Supporting Change
• Supporting Organizational Goals
• Working with Diverse Populations

Education & Experience Required

• Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration or related field
• 6+ years of related work experience
• 4+ years in procurement operations, strategic sourcing, or similar role

Or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Education & Experience Preferred

• Information Technology/Digital Services category management or IT management experience
• IT negotiating/managing large software publishers experience

Additional Skills

• Knowledge of sourcing principals and indirect procurement
• Knowledge of primary and secondary research methods
• Demonstrated experience performing financial/cost analysis, business case development, quantitative and qualitative analysis, and decision modeling

• Act as a trusted procurement advisor and deliver value to the business
• Identify opportunities for business through category strategy development
• Communicate on emerging trends
• Collaborate to resolve key challenges in supply continuity or efficiency
• Support business unit planning, demand planning, budgeting and forecasting
• Develop and implement cost‑based reduction or efficiency opportunities capable of delivering against annual targets through the analysis of strategic value levers
• Establish leading practices and drive continuous improvement within the category
• Develop and enable the set up of a preferred supplier list; develop strategic suppliers and grow alliances to meet cost and performance goals
• Facilitate competitive intelligence/MI to identify emerging/potential sources of competitive advantage (e.g., market pricing)
• Manage the category's supply portfolio – ensure supply security and cost transparency
• Lead analysis of current spend to identify opportunities aligned to goals, KPI’s and objectives of each category
• Coordinate the sourcing strategy review with business stakeholders; provide active support to fact‑based negotiations with suppliers
• Oversee proposal evaluation and award decisions with business stakeholders
• Work with the Sourcing and Contracting team to create, revise, and execute strong contracts with suppliers, business stakeholders, and legal
• Develop transition plan for implementing new contracts
• Coordinate with business to understand procurement policy and processes
• Accountable for providing category reports and communicating with business/SRM teams
• Perform other related duties as required

The salary range for this role is $105,000 to $125,000. Compensation decisions consider education, experience, licensure, certifications, geographic location, and peer compensation. The range does not include potential incentive pay or benefits, which will be provided separately when appropriate.

In addition to the base salary, benefits include medical, dental, and vision coverage, prescription drug coverage, health care flexible spending, dependent care flexible spending, Aflac supplemental policies (Accident, Cancer, Critical Illness, and Hospital Indemnity offered at no cost to employee), 401(k) plans, annual bonuses, and an opportunity to purchase company stock. Employees receive 11 paid holidays, up to 20 days PTO, state‑mandated sick leave (Washington employees accrue 1‑hour sick leave for every 40 hours worked), and other leaves of absence as applicable.

Aflac complies with all applicable leave laws, including sick and safe leave, adoption, and parental leave, in all states and localities.