Global Category Manager, IT Hardware/ Software/VAR – Remote

Primary Role The candidate will be responsible to drive development and implementation of the global vision and strategy for Indirect IT Strategic Sourcing and to provide flexible, responsive, and innovative sourcing support to the business area.

The candidate will be responsible for partnering and act as a trusted advisor to the executive leadership and functional leadership to drive strategic sourcing and supply management.

Category Knowledge: Extensive knowledge in IT Hardware/VAR (Value Added Reseller) and Software.

A preferred candidate will be experienced in several of the sub-categories.

Strategic Sourcing: Proven expertise with the various sourcing tools and analytical methods commonly practiced and used within a world-class Global Procurement organization.

Skills and Knowledge: Extensive knowledge of category management practices and principles.

Demonstrated / proven skills and knowledge required to contribute to a Global Procurement organization.

Span of Control: Depending on candidates level of experience this maybe an individual contributor role or manager with 1-3 direct reports.

The position is global in scope and be expected to manage a total expenditure of $100M
– $400M.

The individual must understand and be an expert in developing global strategies including through the lens of a local market/country to ensure the implementation meets the all business requirements.

As Global Procurement influence is still growing within Conduent, the role will need to work closely with the functional business unit heads to create value added category strategies and hold strong sourcing events.

The candidate will need to have very strong interpersonal, communications and problem-solving skills as they will interact with very senior and high profiled leaders across Conduent.

They should display a passion for strategic sourcing, supply management and operational procurement.

Job Responsibilities Category Management & Delivery Personally develops, leads, and manages larger sub-categories.

Develops an end-to-end category strategy, mapping out the current landscape and defining an improvement plan for the near, mid and long-term to stimulate interest from and engagement with stakeholders.

Activities such as: market research, demand management, specification development, spend analytics, category strategy development, business case development, negotiation, E-Procurement & E-auctions, Vendor relationship management, and stakeholder engagement.

Deliver procurement activities, including enabling the Business to self-serve Post Contract Management (PCM), KPI & SLA development and tracking, Stakeholder engagement, Communications, Risk and Vendor Relationship Management (VRM).

Utilize established tools/systems & adherence to policies (Ariba).

Feed success stories into overall Global Procurement communications.

Client/Internal Stakeholder Relations Demonstrating value delivery to a target audience of VP/Sr.

Dir / Dir level stakeholders to reinforce stakeholder buy-in.

Be able to engage leaders to gain insights and perspective.

Understand business area needs, strategies and priorities and service accordingly.

Ability to explain Global Procurement practices, benefits to the organization, the value of Vendor Relationship Management participation in post contract management.

Demonstrate Conduent values in all relationships (including Vendors).

As the Procurement Leadership Team is responsible for business-wide engagement, this role is equally responsible for the credibility and reputation of Global Procurement as a value-adding team.

“Selling” Procurement is a key part of this role.

Specifically, where the business is not engaged, or late, finds ways of improving engagement and develops a plan of action.

Ability to address urgent needs of the business effectively and efficiently.

Ensure Global Procurement is a commercial asset and not just a compliance function.

Champion and enact pan-business sourcing to leverage Conduent’s buying power.

Show the business how to make their budgets go further or get more for less.

Be knowledgeable in best procurement practice for the category (sub-categories) Co-develop and execute sourcing strategies with the business, expertly advising and guiding the process to the best-fit approach, tactics and tools (e.g.

outcome-based specifications, RFP/RFI/RFQ builds, E-auctions, KPI/SLA development).

Meet regularly with stakeholders to ensure alignment & solicit feedback.

Processes, Metrics & Execution Track progress against objectives; refine and develop audience-specific updates.

Use market research to ensure that Conduent stays abreast of latest market cost/value/innovation developments per Category.

Work in collaboration with Global Internal Audit/Risk and other functions to ensure compliance to policies and audit remediation.

Responsible for the negotiation and contract management process, including facilitating extended team members involvement (e.g.

Legal, Quality, Tax, Security, and Data Privacy).

Responsible to the stakeholder for the timely procurement of contract services required for company operations.

Create, prioritize and plan a pipeline of opportunities to deliver the saving objectives Overall follow the Procurement Operating Model for disciplined execution Vendor Relations Develop and maintain an annual Vendor management plan, including forecasted spend, savings expectations and performance objectives.

Develop and manage a Vendor Relationship Management program to include Business reviews, Scorecards (Vendor Performance Ratings), and Risk Management.

Enable Conduent to get the best out of its Vendors by working in partnership with them for mutual good business.

Help the Business conduct post contract management (PCM) and facilitate Vendor relationship management (VRM) with key (top 20%) Vendors.

Ensure Procurement, the Business and Vendors conduct business ethically, and within the Company’s Anti Bribery and Corruption and FCPA guidelines.

Alert the leadership to any improper practice.

Encourage Vendor Diversity.

Education and Experience Requirements BA or BS required; MBA preferred.

Procurement qualifications are a plus (e.g.

CSPM, APP, ISM, IPMM or MCIPS).

Demonstrated ability of working with and managing cross functional teams in a global, complex, changing environment to deliver value-added results to the organization.

10 years of experience in a regulated environment Financial, Insurance or the like.

Expertise in leading, driving and managing Vendor and contract negotiations including achievement of TCO value.

Extensive knowledge of category management practices and principles.

Leadership skills to effectively communicate ideas and influence others.

Demonstrated ability to deliver value-added results to the organization by applying financial analysis principles and procurement discipline.

High level of client focus and an ability to adapt to a rapidly changing environment.

Ability to think strategically and globally.

Mastery of functional expertise and role.