IT Category Manager

The Job

The IT Category Manager has the opportunity to develop, execute and manage corporate sourcing initiatives for indirect and capital categories, leading strategic activities and perform complex data analysis to identify new sourcing and other cost optimization opportunities to generate cost savings for categories managed. The IT Category Manager will work cross functionally with departments for negotiating complex / competitive programs. You will work collaboratively with internal user departments to facilitate, optimize, and execute the purchase and corporate governance of assigned spend categories within the organization.

What you'll do

• Develop and execute best practice sourcing methodologies in order to negotiate and manage Indirect Procurement programs that will impact the entire company.
• Build relationships that will help bring together diverse groups of requirements and interests as reflected within the customer base in order to achieve successful and productive RFI/RFP events and communications.
• Demonstrate category leadership through IT market expertise and exerting positive influence that will bring to action both cross company activities and independent actions in order to drive change and build accountabilities associated with the categories and projects.
• Maintain adequate history, knowledge and expertise in order to define, measure, analyze and deploy company-wide category strategies and improvement campaigns.
• Responsible for overall supply chain management activities as well as the corporate governance actions associated with their mix of categories. This would include, but not be limited to:
• Establishing SLA's and KPI's for the IT category
• Developing Corporate Compliance standards
• Instituting reporting capabilities associated with category specific activities
• Initiating and developing QBR's (quarterly business reviews) with suppliers to review performance, trend program direction and develop any remediationactivities needed
• Develop contract management matrixes to monitor and oversee there "book of business" related to contracts and MSA's.
• Develop "fit for purpose" performance score cards for both supplier and internal customer group - reporting critical elements of: delivery, performance, savings, value trending and corporate compliance.
• Communicating at both department and officer levels program performance, trends, benefits and future direction.

What you need to succeed

• Comprehensive experience sourcing IT (Hardware, Software and Professional Services), would be interested in candidates that have experience on the Sales side of IT business but experience must reflect strong interaction with and understanding of Corporate customer internal business needs.
• Lead and/or work with Indirect Procurement Associates, other Associate Category Managers, and Category Managers to conduct sourcing events in area of oversight
• Must possess 7-10 years of relevant IT experience (e.g., procurement, sourcing, consulting, sales). Management consulting experience a plus
• An undergraduate degree in relevant areas such as Procurement, Supply Chain, Business management, operations, or finance
• Ability to influence and motivate decision making with peer and key stakeholder groups
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills as well as strong interpersonal skills
• Must have strong negotiations, analytical, problem solving, organization, and project management skills
• Ability to collect, analyze, and integrate information by leveraging appropriate productivity tools Excellent skills in PowerPoint, Word and Excel
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision and strong prioritization skills to manage multiple projects simultaneously
• Experience in contract development, execution and management
• Experience with Ariba E-Sourcing & Contracts Management tool or a similar system preferred
• Ability to conduct thorough spend analysis for corporate non-saleable goods and services and develop methodology/metrics and tools to track progress
• Identify and implement system solutions and best practices that optimizes indirect sourcing and procurement work practice
• Ensure the tactical execution of purchasing activities to meet routine business needs
• Ability to travel twice a year to the Ace Convention and other times as the need may arise

We want to hear from you!
When most people think of career opportunities with Ace Hardware, they often think of the helpful cashiers and sales associates at their local store. However, have you also considered the people behind the scenes who select, promote, ship and process the invoices for more than 75,000 products? Maybe you haven't, but we'd like you to. Because together we help our customers take care of their homes. Come find out why a career with the Ace Hardware Corporation is one of America's best kept secrets.

Equal Opportunity Employer
Ace Hardware Corporation and its subsidiaries are committed to a policy of promoting equal employment opportunities. The company recognizes the importance of diversity and leveraging the skills and talents of all people to the mutual advantage of each individual and the organization. The company is committed to the prevention of employment discrimination related to race, religion, color, sex (including sexual harassment), gender identity, national origin, age, marital status, disability and military discharge, or any other action covered by federal or state laws.