Category Management Analyst jobs in Newark, NJ

**Software Sourcing Experience is a MUST

The Assistant Director, Category Management, Software Category is responsible and accountable for developing, managing and executing the category and sourcing strategy for software for the business segments; Marketing, Digital Experience, and Corporate Business Applications (Finance, HR, Legal, Tax, HIMCO, Sales), managing annual spend of approximately $25M-$75M. This role works closely with business partners / stakeholders and business leaders in assigned departments, requires knowledge and experience of software vendor relationships, and experience building and driving enterprise-wide sourcing strategies. This role is also responsible to develop category best practices, and initiatives that support aggressive improvements in supplier quality, total cost effectiveness, enhanced service levels, improved coordination, delivery, pricing, lead-times, payment, risk compliance and other areas as identified. The Assistant Director of Software Category shall lead competitive assessments and contract negotiations and draft resulting contracts. This role will report to the AVP of Software, on the Technology Management Team. This individual contributor role is based in our Hartford, CT Home Office on a hybrid basis.

Responsibilities:

• This role functions as a trusted advisor for senior leaders in corporate functions, such as Marketing, Sales, Legal, Human Resources, Legal through the category management and sourcing journey
• Drive significant reductions in cost within this category, focusing on all levers that drive value including demand and supply opportunities
• Develop and implement best practices within this category
• Responsible for delivery of all sourcing events, develop supplier negotiation strategies that optimize spend, reflect and maximize The Hartford's buying power, focus on service quality/performance and minimize risk exposure.
• Brings thought leadership and experience of working with software companies, consultants, and advisory services to not only drive cost reductions but also focus on bringing business value to our customers.
• Lead complex, highly visible negotiations with major vendors, negotiating key terms, and working with various stakeholders from legal, information protection, risk management, etc, to draft and execute contracts.
• Drives sourcing model maturity based on industry best practices and The Hartford's operating model changes
• Utilizes Procurement technology to facilitate the end-to-end Procurement Lifecycle
• Manages strategic category supplier relationships
• Manages new & existing legacy contracts and will drive standards/best practices for assigned spend
• Evaluates and introduces new suppliers with innovative, cost cutting or disruptive technologies
• Aggressively manages category performance by adhering to internal savings goals and reviewing financial models for commodity type items.
• Functions as a trusted advisor to business & finance leaders to define best practices, introduce demand & supply-side opportunities and establish targets
• Engages with customers to ensure a high standard of service

Qualifications:

• Minimum of 5 years of experience in category strategy, sourcing and negotiating agreements within the software category including significant experience and expertise leading strategic sourcing process
• Successful track record in Procurement with significant experience developing and executing category strategies and reviewing, analyzing and negotiating contracts
• Demonstrated strong strategic and analytical skills with ability to solve long-term and analytical problems
• Experience in leading market analysis and intelligence gathering across relevant categories to support successful strategy development
• Extensive negotiation skills and best practices in contracting
• Excellent relationship management skills including the ability to work collaboratively with senior leadership in Procurement and across multiple Businesses and Corporate Functions
• Exceptional ability to influence stakeholders and drive groups with divergent opinions toward effective, collaborative decisions
• Exceptional supplier relationship and contract/conflict management skills
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Outcome-oriented with experience driving results in an environment of change
• Strong packaging and presentation skills with the ability to analyze and explain pricing models and contract terms
• Significant experience with integrating data & analytics with strategy development & sourcing execution (market analysis, cost modeling, benchmarking, should cost analysis, etc.)
• Strong strategic mindset
• Self-motivated and entrepreneurial
• Ability to work within an agile & collaborative environment
• Knowledge of change management principals and methodologies
• Strong focus on customer engagement and service
• Experience dealing with ambiguity through effective influence and collaboration at multiple levels of the organization
• Needs to be comfortable challenging current-state thinking, with evidence and recommend alternative approaches to solving a problem
• High level of creativity with the ability to analyze and challenge conventional thinking and norms
• Knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, and Power Point is a must.
• Coupa skills are a plus.
• Experience in project management a plus
• Bachelor's degree required along with relevant experience. Advanced degree (JD, Master's degree in procurement/supply chain, business, engineering or related field) or equivalent experience a plus