Full-time Hybrid

Work Arrangement:

• Hybrid schedule from our Hartford, CT, or Morristown, NJ office locations.
• In-office days: Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays.
• Remote days: Mondays and Fridays.

Industry: Insurance
Job Category: Finance / Accounting - Purchasing

About Us: Our Award Winning Client is a renowned insurance company with a strong brand and a promising future. Recognized nationally, our client is dedicated to making a difference in the industry. The Strategic Sourcing & Real Estate (SSRE) department is integral to this mission, offering deep expertise and acting as a trusted business advisor. SSRE is organized into three category management teams: Professional and Corporate Services, Technology & Outsourcing, and Claims, supported by sourcing delivery teams. These teams collaborate with customers to enhance business strategies and optimize third-party usage to meet enterprise and business unit goals.

Overview of the Role: The Assistant Director, Category Management, Software Category, is responsible for the development, management, and execution of the category and sourcing strategy for software across various business segments, including Marketing, Digital Experience, and Corporate Business Applications (Finance, HR, Legal, Tax, HIMCO, Sales). Managing an annual spend of approximately $25M-$75M, this role requires expertise in software vendor relationships and experience in building and driving enterprise-wide sourcing strategies. The responsibilities also include developing category best practices and initiatives to improve supplier quality, cost effectiveness, service levels, coordination, delivery, pricing, lead-times, payment, risk compliance, and more. This role involves leading competitive assessments, contract negotiations, and drafting contracts. Reporting to the AVP of Software on the Technology Management Team, this position offers a hybrid work arrangement with an expectation to work in-office three days a week.

Responsibilities:

• Implement best practices specific to the category.
• Drive cost reductions within the assigned category by leveraging demand and supply opportunities.
• Lead supplier negotiations, optimizing spend and minimizing risk exposure.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to senior leaders across corporate functions (Marketing, Sales, Legal, HR) during the category management and sourcing process.
• Provide thought leadership, emphasizing business value alongside cost reduction.
• Enhance sourcing maturity based on industry best practices and organizational changes.
• Manage complex negotiations with major vendors, collaborating with legal, risk management, and other stakeholders.
• Utilize procurement technology for end-to-end lifecycle management.
• Foster strategic relationships with category suppliers.
• Evaluate and onboard innovative suppliers.
• Monitor category performance against internal savings goals.

Qualifications:

• Minimum 5 years of experience in category strategy, sourcing, and negotiating software agreements.
• Proven track record in procurement, including category strategy development and contract negotiation.
• Strong analytical skills for long-term problem-solving.
• Experience in market analysis and intelligence gathering.
• Proficiency in negotiation and contracting best practices.
• Excellent relationship management and communication skills.
• Outcome-oriented with a focus on driving results.
• Familiarity with data analytics in sourcing.
• Strategic mindset, adaptability, and creativity.
• Comfortable challenging conventional thinking.

Job Details:

• Employment Type: Full-time
• Benefits: Comprehensive benefits package including health, dental, vision, 401(k), and paid time off.
• Overtime Eligible: No

Candidate Profile: The ideal candidate will have over five years of experience in category management, specifically in the software category. A deep understanding of software vendor relationships, category strategy, and contract negotiation is essential. Experience with Coupa is highly desirable. The candidate should possess strong analytical skills, excellent communication abilities, and a strategic mindset.

Note: Resumes will be maintained in strict confidentiality until such time as we engage in a detailed discussion regarding a specific opportunity, and both parties mutually agree to proceed. We consistently receive new opportunities every day. Should your professional background closely align with the specific requirements of our client, we will promptly reach out to you to initiate further exploration of potential opportunities.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $95,000.00 - $143,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance

Experience level:

• 5 years
• 7 years

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday

Application Question(s):

• Do you have experience in market analysis and intelligence gathering?
• Do you have experience or knowledge of Coupa?
• What locations in the USA or states are you interested in?
• 3225439 Have you worked as Assistant Dir Software Cat Mang recently?
• What type of compensation is desired for a new position?

Experience:

• category strategy/sourcing/negotiating software agreements.: 5 years (Required)
• software category: 5 years (Required)

Ability to Commute:

• Hartford, CT (Preferred)

Ability to Relocate:

• Hartford, CT: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: In person