Category Manager (IT)

Responsibilities:

Leadership

• Creates a working environment that encourages high performance and innovation.
• Becomes a trusted advisor and subject matter expert on the categories.
• Removes roadblocks to enable the delivery of procurement and client account goals.
• Promotes compliance with C&Ws code of conduct.

Category Management

• Develop and implement a strategic sourcing plan for IT related goods and services including but not limited to hardware CRE software cloud services telecommunications and other tech needs
• Conduct Global Regional and Country market research to stay updated on industry trends and identify opportunities for cost savings and quality improvements.
• Set category goals aligned with company objectives and regularly measure performance against these targets.
  • Responsible for working with procurement business partners and service line leadership to align category management vision with service line and procurement priorities.
  • Incorporates industry best practices into category delivery.
• Utilizes demand planning to target value from supplier agreements.
• Vendor Management
  • Identify evaluate and establish relationships with IT vendors suppliers and service providers.
  • Negotiate favorable terms and contracts ensuring compliance with internal policies and industry regulations.
  • Manage supplier performance and conduct periodic reviews to assess service levels cost-effectiveness and alignment with business needs.
  • Monitors preferred supplier utilization builds roster to ensure capability to deliver across the service line portfolios and monitors performance to ensure capability to meet account needs.
• Ability to develop and understand data analytics to mine data to drive in-depth analysis of C&Ws 3rd party spend.

Business Influence

• Communicates supply category preferred supplier metrics and helps the business drive greater adoption of the preferred supplier network.
• Develops and maintains strong relationships with business units and the category management team.
• Drives for results by consistently achieving goals in a timely manner.
• Develops and delivers communications with clarity and impact ensuring consistent messaging.
• Encourages creation and brings new best in class ideas and approaches to the table for developing and executing category strategies and working within the supply market to ensure Cushman & Wakefield meets or exceeds their objectives.
• Working cross-functionally with other departments including Finance Operations TDS HR Project Management etc. for delivery of category strategies.

Risk Management

• Identify and mitigate risks within the IT supply chain including cybersecurity risks service disruptions and compliance issues.
• Work with the legal team to ensure vendor contracts include necessary risk management and compliance clauses
• Working with C&W Legal Counsel to ensure consistent templates and fall back language to enable effective negotiations and risk mitigation.
• Ensure effective and up-to-date commercial arrangements.

Continuous Improvement/Change Management

• Strong problem-solving skills utilizing continuous improvement techniques.
• Utilizes change management techniques to drive the development and utilization of a preferred supplier program.

Qualifications:

• Bachelors degree
• 5-8 years of category management experience
• Professional certifications preferred e.g. CPSM CIPS C.P.M. or evidence of continued professional growth
• In-depth knowledge of IT Procurement and fundamentals IT specific category specific knowledge
• Strong interpersonal and analytical skills
• Ability to build relationships with key business stakeholders and 3rd party vendors
• Inner drive to accomplish goals and not deterred by obstacles
• Capacity to develop innovative strategies and solutions Creative problem solver
• Contract negotiation and ongoing management skills
• Analytics ability to mine data to drive in depth analysis
• Building and managing diverse supplier relationships
• Interface with all levels in the organization
• Project Management
• Continuous improvement
• Personal flexibility
• Independent worker self-starter
• Organizational savvy
• Innovativeness
• Effective Communication & Presentation skills
• Decision making & crisis management
• Business Influence interviewing and active listening
• Knowledge of effective supplier risk management techniques