Sr. Category Manager at Northwestern Mutual

About the Role:

This position is responsible for the development and implementation of category strategies through strategic planning, market and data analysis, and tracking of category and supplier performance. The role is also responsible for managing complex categories to drive company growth and maximize value for NM. This position is responsible for participating in and supporting the procurement, contracting, and supplier management activities related to business critical initiatives, targeting the best value for Northwestern Mutual. These cross divisional initiatives may include specialized insurance products/services, Business Process Outsourcing (BPO), Information Technology categories such as services/software/equipment/telecom, and other commodity categories. Also responsible for making recommendations to Sourcing and Procurement management team to enhance business process initiatives

What You'll Do:

• Support category management strategy planning for vendor rationalization, demand management, and other proactive opportunity activities
• Participate in the analysis of internal and external market data to develop risk assessments, competitive intelligence, best practices, etc. related to categories
• Identify and recommend sourcing (including outsourcing) opportunities to NM leaders
• Develop relationships with key suppliers to improve category offerings and negotiate favorable terms
• Evaluate customer feedback and implement changes to enhance overall business experience
• Independently lead and accurately complete Pricing/Financial Analysis, Market Assessments, RFQ, RFI, RFP's, TCO/Make vs. Buy in accordance with established sourcing processes for the acquisition of goods and services and recommend specific sourcing strategies to Procurement management.
• Utilized prepared analyses to develop sourcing, negotiation, contracting and vendor management strategies and processes
• Conduct analyses of disparate internal and external data
• related to sourcing events and draw conclusions to make recommendations to management to develop risk assessments, competitive intelligence, best practices, etc.
• Developed, with management input, financial/analytical models to support the sourcing function
• Gather 3rd party secondary research to formulate fact based inquires senior business leaders for requirements, historical spend and anticipated future spend Participate in the documentation of workflows associated with total cost ownership analysis in support of sourcing projects (?)
• Prepare and use reports, perform spend analysis and benchmark category spend to develop proposed action plans.
• Interview and document
• Serve as a team member and safeguard all contracts as a part of the contract administration function.
• Develop, negotiate terms, process, incorporate mandated terms and track business requirement changes to contracts as recommended by Law, Audit, Vendor Risk Management, customers, and other key stakeholders to ensure changes are incorporated into final execution copies per established contracting processes/policies.
• Understand triggers and secure Agreements based on business and contracting requirements.
• Ensure compliance with NM policies and procedures
• Independently lead and accurately complete NDA, PDSA, BAA, SOW, SOW, and all master agreements

What Experience You'll Bring:

• Bachelors Degree in Supply Chain, Business, Finance and/or Engineering AND 3 years business experience in financial/supply chain operations/contract management OR 7 years of financial/supply chain operations/contract management experience
• Required experience: 1) Contract management and administration, 2) Procurement, 3) Financial Analysis
• Skills required: 1) Research and analytical skills, including conducting stakeholder interviews, 2) Conflict resolution, 3) Listening and clear and concise interpersonal, verbal and written communication, 4) Presentation development and delivery, 5) Technology proficiency (e.g. Zip, Peoplesoft, eProcurement, etc)
• PC Proficiency to include MS Office
• Drive business results, within established parameters, with minimal management direction and assistance
• Function in ambiguous and/or time sensitive situations
• Preferred Experience: 1) Category Management, 2) Procurement, 3) Project Management, 4) Negotiation
• Knowledge of Northwestern Mutual organization
• Skills Preferred: 1) Presentation development and delivery, 2) Technology proficiency (e.g. Zip, SpendHQ, etc)

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Compensation Range:

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We believe in fairness and transparency. It's why we share the salary range for most of our roles. However, final salaries are based on a number of factors, including the skills and experience of the candidate; the current market; location of the candidate; and other factors uncovered in the hiring process. The standard pay structure is listed but if you're living in California, New York City or other eligible location, geographic specific pay structures, compensation and benefits could be applicable, click here to learn more.

Grow your career with a best-in-class company that puts our clients' interests at the center of all we do. Get started now!

Northwestern Mutual is an equal opportunity employer who welcomes and encourages diversity in the workforce. We are committed to creating and maintaining an environment in which each employee can contribute creative ideas, seek challenges, assume leadership and continue to focus on meeting and exceeding business and personal objectives.

Cross Functional Partnering & Planning (NM) - Advanced, Financial Acumen (NM) - Advanced, Reporting Systems (NM) - Advanced, Project Management (NM) - Advanced, Business Automation (NM) - Advanced, Technical & Digital Acumen (NM) - Advanced, Storytelling through Data (NM) - Beginner, Attention to Detail (NM) - Advanced, Compliance Metrics, Monitoring & Reporting (NM) - Advanced, Business Acumen (NM) - Advanced, Problem Management (NM) - Advanced, Negotiation & Managing Objection (NM) - Advanced, Decision Making (NM) - Advanced, Process Improvement (NM) - Advanced, Learning Agility & Critical Thinking (NM) - Advanced, Interpersonal Savvy (NM) - Advanced, Purchase Requisitioning (NM) - Advanced, Data Analytics (NM) - Advanced, Customer Service Mindset (NM) - Advanced

We're excited about the potential people bring to Northwestern Mutual. You can grow your career here while enjoying first-class perks, benefits, and our commitment to a culture of belonging.

• Flexible work schedules
• Concierge service
• Comprehensive benefits
• Employee resource groups