Senior IT Category Manager

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This position is supports the IT Category Manager in their projects with clients to develop annual procurement plans, develop and implement contracts, conduct needs assessment, review specifications, conduct RFIs/RFPs, perform contract administration, lead negotiations and dispute/conflict resolution. The position requires high level skills and relevant work experience in the field of category management and IT sourcing. Additional relevant skills and experience are contract management, dispute resolution, managing vendor relationships and communication with key partners and suppliers. This position for the IT category team requires in-depth knowledge of the software and hardware category including, but not limited to the types of information technology solutions, associated supplier market, methods of procurement, and understand software license negotiations.

• Conducts procurement, sourcing and category management relevant to the categories under the direction of the Category Manager.
• Manages all aspects of the procurement process, including management of vendor selection: including development and analysis of RFPs, contract negotiation, funding processes/approvals and subsequent reviews for contract compliance and the subsequent vendor management process.
• Familiar with software contract terms and conditions for the range of assigned sub-categories.
• Ability to analyze financial reports (cash flow statements, income statements, balance sheets) of major corporations considered for contract awards and conduct marketplace analysis.
• Plans and manages negotiation process, resolves purchase and contract issues.
• Maintains effective relationships with Relationship Managers, Performance Managers, and Compliance Managers for assigned vendors to provide support vital for ongoing management and oversight of a particular vendor including problem resolution.
• Establish and monitor vendor scorecards (quantitative and qualitative measures of performance against selected SLAs and metrics) to monitor and manage vendor performance based on a defined set of criteria.
• Provides ongoing vendor scorecard reporting and analysis to Relationship Managers and Performance Managers to facilitate their ability to adequately monitor, review and act on vendors'''' operational performance.
• Leads the execution of various vendor management programs, such as quarterly business reviews, semi-annual portfolio reviews, vendor scorecards, as well as other performance management activities and reporting as required.
• Facilitate regular business reviews with assigned government portfolio vendors to discuss vendor performance reporting, SLAs, work requirements, compliance requirements, other contract expectations, relationship health and improvement plans.
• Under the direction of the Category Manager, works closely with Business partners to diagnose poor vendor performance and assists to put in place "get well" plans. Jointly with the Manager, facilitates the resolution of elevated vendor-related issues.
• Participate along with client project coordinator to conduct vendor evaluation and performance and ensures timely delivery and quality of services, expedites delivery as appropriate.
• Conducts research, trend analysis and benchmarking in international markets including category management.
• Supports Category Manager in preparation of presentations to procurement review committees.
• Undertakes contract administration to ensure compliance with policies and contract terms. May provide guidance and direction to Project Managers on contract management issues.
• Frequent interaction with Blue Cross Blue Shield Minnesota staff at all levels, typically Business Unit Managers, Vice Presidents, Directors, and Managers, Legal Department Representatives, Officers, and Project Task Leaders also with external partners: Consultants and supplier representatives, sales representatives, heads of companies and VPs, account managers and commodity specialists, and technical representatives.

• Bachelor''''s degree.
• Excellent negotiating skills to shape agreements with vendors.
• Project management skills, dispute resolution skills.

• 5+ years of related professional experience including procurement, international sourcing, contracting, and category management. All relevant experience including work, education, transferable skills, and military experience will be considered.
• Demonstrable experience as a Supply Chain / Procurement professional with extensive Category management in IT.
• Experience with Information technology and software sourcing
• Experience in contract terms and conditions (e.g. regulations, technology issues, indemnification, intellectual property, cultural issues, assignment, contract termination, etc.), and negotiation of contract terms and conditions.
• Exposure to sourcing software which are cloud-based services, Software as a Service, Distributed Ledger Techs, AI, Machine learning, etc. would be beneficial.
• Superb communication skills both verbal and written with results orientation.
• Ability to gain consensus/get results in a complex, often ambiguous, environment.
• Self-directed, ability to manage multiple tasks and projects in a timely manner.
• Ability to deal sensitively in multi-cultural environments and build effective working relations with clients and colleagues.
• Analytical and problem-solving skills

Role Designation:

Hybrid Remote

Role designation definition: Teleworking is working full time remote. Hybrid is a combination of working onsite and remotely.  Onsite is full-time onsite.

Make a difference

Blue Cross is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer that values diversity. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to, and will not be discriminated against based on race, color, creed, religion, sex, national origin, genetic information, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, disability, age, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or any other legally protected characteristic.

Reasonable Accommodation for Job Seekers with a Disability: If you require reasonable accommodation in completing this application, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, or otherwise participating in the employee selection process, please direct your inquiries to #removed#

All roles require a high school diploma (or equivalency) and legal authorization to work in the U.S.

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