Strategic Sourcing and Category Manager

Position Focus :

Reporting to the Senior Manager of Research and Medical Services, the Strategic Sourcing & Category Manager is responsible for long term planning, strategy development, and leading continuous improvement of assigned spend categories.

The position will be responsible for the development and implementation of innovative sourcing strategies and standards across the assigned spend categories to meet Yale University’s needs by achieving high quality, reduced cost, and simplified global effective procurement strategies to drive value, improve service / quality, improve costs and minimize risk to the University community.

This role will dedicate 20% of their time to special procurement initiatives under direction, and assigned by the Director of Strategic Sourcing.

The successful candidate must have executive presence in business situations, influencing outcomes, demonstrating domain expertise, and the ability to process information with the goal of being highly responsive in all situations.

They will also analyze commodity areas, provide recommendations on sourcing strategy and deliver savings to the University.

This person should promote a positive work environment, spirit of cooperation and support for coworkers.

Essential Duties

1. Delivers and reports cost savings to the University and aggressively pursue contract compliance.2. Leads cross functional or multi-departmental sourcing activities throughout the University for assigned category.

3. Leads the Category Management and sourcing execution process for assigned category(ies)4. Thinks strategically about the spend and key suppliers in their category(ies).

5. Proactively engages category stakeholders to develop / align requirements and set objectives.6. Establishes definition of value and / or total cost of ownership Model for the category, in alignment with stakeholders.

7. Identifies value-generating opportunities within the category8. Develops / documents category strategy that addresses stakeholder objectives and value-generating opportunities including creation of category strategy playbooks.

9. Defines pipeline of category execution activities (e.g., sourcing, supplier management, demand management, etc.) to implement the category strategy.

10. Performs independent evaluation and review of all contract terms and conditions and identifies other potential risks to the University.

11. Independently identifies new internal University customers and creates and builds strong working relationships where none existed.

12. Develops and implements sourcing, negotiating and contracting strategies to achieve the desired outcomes including savings goals aligned with the Category Strategy for strategic categories.

13. Works with stakeholders to identify preferred suppliers in the category, increase the number of preferred supplier agreements, decrease the quantity of suppliers per category, and promote use of preferred suppliers.

14. Conducts / leads supplier management activities for key preferred suppliers.15. Collaborates with category stakeholders to manage alignment to category strategy and stakeholder goals.

16. Leads regular category review meetings with stakeholders17. Maintains knowledge of market trends and external insights including rigorous analysis of market drivers, cost structures and technical improvements.

18. Collaborates with Procurement COE to track and report category spend, savings, and performance.19. Provides guidance as needed to buyers on category insights and strategies.

Required Education and Experience

Bachelor’s Degree & 7 years purchasing experience or an equivalent combination of experience & education. Must have solid experience in drafting, negotiating & administering complex business contracts.

Broad and varied experience in strategic sourcing of commodities & services.

Required Skill / Ability 1 :

This role will be a trusted resource for the Yale Community, who will be relied upon for guidance through strategic planning and best-in-class approach to sourcing.

The individual in this role will need to possess the ability to drive discussions with stakeholders, as well as driving both value and efficiency for Yale University.

Required Skill / Ability 2 :

Highly collaborative nature to match the Yale culture. Excellent oral and written communication skills. Ability to clearly state thoughts and positions and bring people together.

Able to persuade stakeholders regarding the value of Procurement. Can drive resolution to open issues and ensure a strategic direction is in place for the categories that you oversee.

Required Skill / Ability 3 :

High level of integrity in order to build trust within University. Compliance as it relates to this role and the actions of the Yale community needs to be a main focus.

Ability to quickly build rapport and positive relationships with those we serve at all organizational levels to earn the privilege of being a trusted advisor to the Yale community.

Required Skill / Ability 4 :

Ability to support the University across multiple Research & Medical Services spend categories. Ability to drive discussions with leaders, drive resolution to open issues, bring forth innovative sourcing solutions, and drive collaboration on initiatives across multiple groups.

Required Skill / Ability 5 :

Ability to conduct exceptional supplier resolution on behalf of University during instances of poor supplier performance, failed delivery, price increases, etc.

Ability to Initiate and implement process improvements and best practices in areas of responsibility to enhance and improve the customer purchasing experience in areas of category responsibility.

Preferred Education, Experience and Skills :

Experience negotiating and putting in place agreements across many categories within large organizations, with multiple stakeholders.

Understands the approach to a proper and robust SOW.

Drug Screen

Health Screening

Background Check Requirements

All candidates for employment will be subject to pre-employment background screening for this position, which may include motor vehicle, DOT certification, drug testing and credit checks based on the position description and job requirements.

All offers are contingent upon the successful completion of the background check. For additional information on the background check requirements and process visit "Learn about background checks" under the Applicant Support Resources section of Careers on the It's Your Yale website.

COVID-19 Vaccine Requirement

The University maintains policies pertaining to COVID-19. All faculty, staff, students, and trainees are required to comply with these policies, which may be found here :

Posting Disclaimer

The intent of this job description is to provide a representative summary of the essential functions that will be required of the position and should not be construed as a declaration of specific duties and responsibilities of the particular position.

Employees will be assigned specific job-related duties through their hiring departments.

EEO Statement :

University policy is committed to affirmative action under law in employment of women, minority group members, individuals with disabilities, and protected veterans.

Additionally, in accordance with Yale’s Policy Against Discrimination and Harassment, and as delineated by federal and Connecticut law, Yale does not discriminate in admissions, educational programs, or employment against any individual on account of that individual’s sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, race, color, national or ethnic origin, religion, age, disability, status as a special disabled veteran, veteran of the Vietnam era or other covered veteran.