CATEGORY MANAGER - TECHNOLOGY

Job Description:

The Category Manager for Technology plays a significant role in defining and implementing sourcing and supplier management strategies for Technology products and services which support execution of CSAA's IT Strategy. This position will have a direct impact on creating a competitive advantage for CSAA. This individual will provide leadership to deliver superior enterprise results by reducing costs and improving overall value for CSAA.

RESPONSIBILITIES:
Strategic Sourcing Management: Manages a team of professionals conducting full life cycle sourcing activities in the Technology category. This includes, but is not limited to, IT outsourcing and all technology products including telecom, network, hardware, and software.


Spend Assessment: Conducts assessments of spend by category to develop or revise sourcing strategies, perform opportunity assessment and measure compliance with supplier programs.


Supplier Market Assessment: Maintains current market knowledge appropriate to the category being managed. Understands both supplier and technology trends impacting each sub-category. Performs analysis of benchmarks for pricing and performance standards and uses information effectively to improve results.


Supplier Negotiations: Provides thought leadership in selecting quality suppliers to compete in sourcing events, leads or provides oversight in negotiations and contract development activities. In collaboration with key business leaders, builds win-win relationships with suppliers that provide the best value for CSAA.


Supplier Management: Provides leadership and direction to the Technology Team and the IT organization in the ongoing management of CSAA's suppliers within the related category. Seeks and develops opportunities for increasing the value proposition of supplier relationships. Ensures that suppliers, their performance, and CSAA's management of them support CSAA's vision and values. Manages escalation matters with integrity and provides unbiased, effective solutions to solve problems and promote harmony. Ability to define and administer performance improvement plans to correct deficiencies and improve quality of service delivery.


Client Management: Customer focused service delivery. Must possess extraordinary ability to build strong relationships with IT Clients that result in buy in and positive support of Sourcing processes. Collaborates with business unit leaders in developing Strategic Sourcing strategies for specific sub-categories. Conducts customer satisfaction surveys and responds to client feedback, creating effective action plans to drive continuous improvement.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
10 - 15 years previous experience. IT Sourcing or related professional experience. Personnel management. Customer service. Working with executive leadership. Sound working knowledge of IT. Project management and Supplier management. Undergraduate degree or equivalent.

Significant sourcing experience and market knowledge related to Technology. Expertise in complex contracts including but not limited to software license agreements, equipment purchase agreements, maintenance contracts, and long term, multi-million dollar IT outsourcing contracts. In depth experience with implementing and administering Service Level Agreements. Strong understanding of end-to-end Strategic Sourcing process methodology and metrics. Knowledge of sourcing best practices and contract law. Experience in change management.

Outstanding skills in leadership, personnel management, team building, executive-level communications, negotiations, contract development, planning, analysis, and problem resolution. Interpersonal competencies include customer and client focus, excellent collaborative, communication and negotiation skills. Ability to create win-win solutions, and internally motivated to create business value. A proven ability to successfully interface and build relationships with all levels including executive, technical and sales/support staff.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
Masters and/or C.P.M. designation.