Category Manager

Symetra has an exciting new opportunity to join us as a Category Manager!

About The Role

The Services Category Manager will manage indirect subscription categories, professional services categories and the implementation of sourcing strategies. This Services Category Manager will perform end-to-end strategic sourcing and category management through analyzing spend, developing strategies and implementing the sourcing process. This Services Category Manager will develop vendor relationships, handle contracts, negotiations and provide direction to management on category direction. Responsibilities include providing strategic direction in the management, development and execution within the services category, which includes operations, vendor management, online systems, services, and technology resources as needed. Develop relationships and implement services programs to reduce expenditures, maintain company culture, compliance with appropriate company policies and provide high level support/assistance.

What You Will Do

• Develop, monitor, and pursue tactical and critical initiatives/projects in services and indirect categories.
• Lead the sourcing process for subscriptions and professional services, including: RFx, RFI, RFP, negotiations, evaluations processes, and provides procurement support to assigned business units.
• Use the appropriate support tools to get results and deliver savings.
• Support collaborator spend/vendor related initiatives.
• Own the contract negotiation process, negotiating, pricing, key terms, service level requirements, Key Performance Indicators, and other performance metrics.
• Handle the contract review process, acquiring the appropriate approvals prior to execution.
• Maintain contracts for the assigned categories within the contract management tool on a continuous basis.
• Identify critical issue of priority incidents based on input of organizational, business and technological requirements.
• Develop and consistently implement category strategies in support of achieving overall savings targets Analyze category markets, assess risk; capture intelligence on fundamental conditions and technical information that impacts the category.
• Develop sourcing strategies and category strategies based on market intelligence captured.
• Perform total cost of ownership evaluations, perform supply-market research and conduct pricing and impact analysis
• Work collaboratively with suppliers and internal collaborators to identify and implement continuous cost and performance improvement strategies.
  
  

What We Offer You

We don’t take a “one-size-fits-all” approach when it comes to our employees. Our programs are crafted to make your life better both at work and at home.

• Flexible full-time or hybrid telecommuting arrangements
• Plan for your future with our 401(k) plan and take advantage of immediate vesting and company matching up to 6%
• Paid time away including vacation and sick time, flex days and ten paid holidays
• Give back to your community and double your impact through our company matching
• Want more details? Check out our Symetra Benefits Overview
  
  

Compensation

Salary Range: $85,400 - $142,300 plus eligibility for annual bonus program.

Who You Are

• BA Degree, CPM Certification or equivalent work experience preferred.
• Minimum 5 years-experience required. Seven years of experience preferred.
• Sourcing, negotiating, procurement, writing RFP's, vendor management, project management, business law.
• Detailed knowledge of reporting tools and practices, and able to generate key program metrics and analytics from consolidated data.
• Excellent influencing and negotiating skills.
• Detailed knowledge of services category procurement.
• Excellent presentation skills with the ability to communicate specific reasoning behind established policies, procedures and compliance.
• Strong customer service skills which applies to all elements of a Procurement program.
• Advanced understanding of the various products and technology that can increase the efficiency of the services operations and/or reduce business and transactional expenses.
• High ability to work effectively across organizational boundaries.
  
  

We empower inclusion

At Symetra, we aspire to be the most inclusive insurance company in the country. We’re building a place where every employee feels valued, respected, and has opportunities to contribute. Inclusion is about recognizing our assumptions, considering multiple perspectives, and removing barriers.

We accept and celebrate diverse experiences, identities, and perspectives, because lifting each other up fuels thought and builds a stronger, more innovative company. We invite you to learn more about our efforts here.

Creating a world where more people have access to financial freedom

Symetra is a national financial services company dedicated to helping people achieve their financial goals and feel confident about the future. In our daily work, we’re guided by the principles of Value, Transparency and Sustainability. This means we provide products and services people need at a competitive price, we communicate clearly and openly so people understand what they’re buying, and we design products—and operate our company—to stand the test of time. We’re committed to showing up for our communities, lifting up our employees, and standing up for diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI). Join our team and help us create a world where more people have access to financial freedom.

Work Authorization

Employer work visa sponsorship and support are not provided for this role. Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States at hire and must maintain authorization to work in the United States throughout their employment with our company.

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