Consultant, Procurement Category Management | Professional Services

Consultant, Procurement Category Management

If you're passionate about innovation and love working in an environment where you can constantly improve and adopt new technologies to drive business results, then Nationwide's Information Technology team could be the place for you! At Nationwide, "on your side" goes beyond just words. Our customers are at the center of everything we do and we're looking for associates who are passionate about delivering extraordinary care.

We are looking for a Consultant, Procurement Category Management to join our Professional Services Category Management team within Procurement. This role plays a key part in shaping and executing category strategies across areas such as IT Consulting, Business Consulting, Outsourcing, and Contingent Staffing.

As a trusted advisor to business leaders, you will influence at the executive level, guide sourcing decisions, and help drive enterprise-wide alignment. This position offers the opportunity to build and strengthen relationships across the organization, serve as a change agent, and apply market insights to deliver meaningful outcomes.

Ideal candidates will bring procurement experience within insurance or financial services, with a strong grasp of how professional services support business objectives. This is a hybrid role based in Columbus, OH, requiring two days per week in the office.

Job Description

Procuring goods and services necessary to successfully run and grow our business is critical. Whether working to enable the processes that support buying decisions or finding the best supplier, price or contract terms, we bring expertise, skill and talent to the task. If you are collaborative, a top-level communicator, highly ethical and have the ability to manage key relationships by providing outstanding service, we want to know more about you! As a Consultant, you'll be responsible for the procurement and acquisition of goods and services for Nationwide that deliver near and long term sourcing value.

You'll have opportunities to advise business units on the acquisition of complex, specialized and highly technical products and services, including SAAS software licenses, offshore outsourcing, Marketing, Employee Benefits and more.

Key Responsibilities :

• Partners and collaborates with Business Partners, Finance, Technology and other Procurement team members to manage new sourcing requests, current contract pipelines for multimillion dollar categories and vendor agreements. Works with reporting teams to develop data analytics and suggests revisions to Procurement policy and procedures to ensure a predictable, easy-to-follow and efficient procurement process.
• Conducts advanced, continuous industry research and benchmark analysis within a defined spend category. Establishes a category strategy for a highly technical domain, monitors purchasing trends and identifies top suppliers and innovations within the category.
• Works with Business Partners to manage Business Unit and Procurement relationship by building forecasts of demand, service levels requirements, Total Cost of Ownership models, contractual and other risk requirements (by category domain, actual and forecasted spend), identifying cost reduction opportunities, and developing recommendations. Acts as a Project Manager with business partners, Finance, Technology as needed.
• Facilitates moderately complex to complex competitive bid activity, including requests for proposal (RFP), quote (RFQ) or information (RFI), where applicable. Negotiates the terms of the contract, including conditions, clauses, and service level agreements. Documents achieved savings for Finance approval.
• Assesses supplier risk prior to contract and collaborates with applicable risk partners, including Information Risk Management, Technology Review Boards, Privacy etc., for additional specialized assessments or necessary contract provisions.
• Analyzes and aligns Category goals and objectives to maximize usage of Diverse Suppliers and best practices in Sustainability.
• Mentors and trains new associates on Procurement policy, processes and helps them develop Sourcing Skills.

May perform other responsibilities as assigned.

Reporting Relationships : Reports to Procurement Manager. Individual contributor; may serve in a lead capacity with business partners.

Typical Skills and Experiences :

Education : Undergraduate degree in supply chain, procurement, business, finance, accounting, management information systems, economics or related fields preferred.

License / Certification / Designation : Procurement, purchasing, or project management designations, as applicable.

Experience : Typically, eight or more years of experience in all aspects of supply chain management including relationship management; or equivalent professional experience in other closely related industries.

Knowledge, Abilities and Skills : Specialized knowledge of principles, practices and procedures of supply chain management or other related industry. In-depth knowledge of the legal environment to analyze impact of major / complex initiatives on the company. In-depth understanding of the enterprise structure and business objectives. Knowledgeable in financial controls, insurance business concepts, systems and data processing concepts, and financial planning / analysis. Excellent verbal, and written communication skills and math skills required to negotiate with suppliers. Ability to develop and maintain strong supplier relationships. Ability to conceptually think of new projects and lead project teams towards a common objective. Ability to influence with limited authority. Ability to train others on most complex and technical procurement policies, practices, and processes. Proficiency in common office software like Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

Other criteria, including leadership skills, competencies and experiences may take precedence.

Staffing exceptions to the above must be approved by the hiring manager's leader and HR Business Partner.

Values : Regularly and consistently demonstrates Nationwide Values.

Job Conditions :

Overtime Eligibility : Not Eligible (Exempt)

Working Conditions : Normal office environment. Occasional extended and non-standard hours based on business and information needs.

ADA : The above statements cover what are generally believed to be principal and essential functions of this job. Specific circumstances may allow or require some people assigned to the job to perform a somewhat different combination of duties.

Benefits :

We have an array of benefits to fit your needs, including medical / dental / vision, life insurance, short and long term disability coverage, paid time off with newly hired associates receiving a minimum of 18 days paid time off each full calendar year pro-rated quarterly based on hire date, nine paid holidays, 8 hours of Lifetime paid time off, 8 hours of Unity Day paid time off, 401(k) with company match, company-paid pension plan, business casual attire, and more.

Nationwide is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive culture where everyone feels challenged, appreciated, respected and engaged. Nationwide prohibits discrimination and harassment and affords equal employment opportunities to employees and applicants without regard to any characteristic (or classification) protected by applicable law.