Are you looking for more than just a job? Do you want to have a voice and feel a sense of belonging? At ICW Group, we hire innovative people who consistently adapt, grow and deliver. We believe in hard work, a fun work environment, and embracing creativity that only comes about when talented people collaborate to develop solutions. Our mission is to create the best insurance experience possible.
 

Headquartered in San Diego with regional offices located throughout the United States, ICW Group has been named for seven consecutive years as a Top 50 performing P&C company offering the stability of a large, profitable and growing company combined with a small-company entrepreneurial spirit. Our purpose-driven ethos provides team members with opportunities to contribute, develop, and belong. 

PURPOSE OF THE JOB

The purpose of the Procurement Category Manager is to manage the IT & Cyber Security spend categories (i.e., emerging technology, cloud, IT equipment, security, hardware, software, telecom etc.), including the development of plans, execution of sourcing strategies, and management of supplier relationships. This role requires a deep understanding of IT & Cyber Security, infrastructure, software, hardware, and emerging technologies, along with excellent analytical negotiation, and communication skills. This position also exists to manage a team of category professionals, provide guidance to and support for implementation of strategic sourcing for the Company to ensure the best value is achieved for all organization purchasing and contributes to the Company’s financial success.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Drives organizational goals and strategic plans for the PVMS Department.

• Acts as a thought leader for the sourcing organization, drives strategic goals with a focus on efficiency, innovation and cost savings.
• Supports the execution of initiatives for the PVMS department that support the strategic sourcing goals of the organization.
• Stays informed on emerging technologies, market trends, and regulatory changes that may impact IT procurement strategies and recommends adjustments as needed.
• Plans and executes procurement, strategic sourcing and vendor management activities and operations in compliance with corporate policies, applicable law, and effective cost management principles.
• Fosters collaborative relationships both internally with stakeholders and externally with prospective and current vendors and other constituencies involved in procurement programs.

Fosters effective procurement infrastructure and leads continuous improvement to ensure alignment with company initiatives.

• Builds relationships with key stakeholders to develop an understanding of their needs and delivers effective and timely procurement results.
• Acts as a consultant to key stakeholders communicating approach to souring process, category management, negotiations and vendor management.
• Aligns business priorities and category management objectives by developing plans based on analysis of spend data, supply market dynamics, category intelligence, and business requirements.
• Assesses current practices and recommends continuous improvement processes/tools based on data analysis and best practices to achieve targeted metrics for strategic sourcing and vendor management success.
• Serves as key advisor providing recommendations to leaders on vendors, best practices, negotiations, and other aspects of procurement based on assigned categories.

Leverages data to engage and educate vendors and internal customers in the policies, tools, processes, and benefits of effective procurement partnerships.

• Collaborates with business stakeholders to develop and build influence, evaluate, and change the status quo. Identifies and obtains buy-in for category strategy and value opportunities.
• Develops and presents negotiation strategies and toolkits (complex and otherwise), using all four phases of the sourcing lifecycle (strategy, assessment, selection, contract, and performance management) to assigned business units.
• Prepares market or data analysis related to procurement and vendor management, as necessary (i.e., supplier scorecards, savings tracking, decision models).
• Designs and manages complex data sets. Develops and implements cost savings initiatives for assigned categories via development of category strategies reflecting market conditions.
• Leads negotiations of contract terms to secure optimal pricing, terms, and service levels, leveraging your extensive experience to maximize value for the organization.
• Serves as trusted advisor on related procurement matters; generates positions on critical sourcing/procurement elements.
• Contributes to reporting metrics tracking and management, creates presentations of information and statistics on procurement operations.
• Manages relationships with designated suppliers and designs and offers guidance to stakeholders regarding tools, such as vendor performance scorecards, key performance indicators (KPIs), and process improvement initiatives with assigned suppliers.
• Effectively trains and conveys the value of RFx sourcing procedures and processes to both PVMS team members and business stakeholders.

Develops and supervises a team within the Procurement Department.

• Inspires and motivates the category team.  Communicates Mission, Values, and other organization operating principles to direct reports.
• Establishes and maintains the overall work cadence and, in partnership with Procurement Department leadership, ensures performance and outcomes strive for excellence in delivery and customer experience.
• Ensures that the entire team is engaged and that leadership practices encourage development, recognition and retention.
• Acts as a resource for team members to answer questions and provide guidance related to complex problems.
• Manages budget, technology and other resources, workload, and customer requests for Procurement Department services.  Ensures adherence to all Company policies and procedures and Compliance responsibilities.
• Ensures data quality, adherence to IT and compliance policies, profitability and other risk-related metrics for self and members of the team.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

Directly supervises employees within the PVMS Department and carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with company policies and applicable laws. These responsibilities include interviewing, hiring, and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; conducting performance and salary reviews; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems; coaching, mentoring, and developing team members to further their skills and knowledge; creating and monitoring development plans; setting performance expectations/goals; forecasting staffing needs and planning for peak times and absences; enforcing department policies and procedures.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Bachelor’s degree from four-year college or university required with a major or emphasis in Finance, Supply Chain Management, Business, or related field. Master’s Degree preferred. Minimum 7 years of experience in procurement, contracting and strategic sourcing processes for several commodity areas required. Minimum 5 years of experience with complex vendor contract negotiations required. Minimum 3 years of experience in a leadership role required. Experience managing the full life cycle of category procurement with sophisticated negotiating techniques. Insurance industry experience and services, and MRO category experience preferred.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS

Six Sigma certification or training preferred. Certifications in procurement and supply management preferred, i.e. Senior Professional in Supply Management (SPSM), Certified Professional in Supply Management (CPSM), Certified Procurement Professional (CPP), Certified Supply Chain Professional (CSCP), Certified Professional Purchasing Manager (CPPM).

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

Expertise in drafting, negotiating and managing contracts for IT and information Security categories.  Understanding of software licensing and the various software procurement models. Working knowledge of service level agreements and other key metrics of software agreements. Extensive experience effectively consulting with others, facilitating, and presenting technical information and demonstrated ability to influence others. Demonstrated experience with sophisticated negotiating techniques and developing solutions to issues in a timely manner. Excellent verbal communication skills, experience working with cross-functional teams, and presenting to leadership. Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Office applications including MS Power BI, Word, Visio, Excel, Project, and PowerPoint. Ability to read, analyze, and interpret common procurement related technical journals, financial reports, and/or legal documents.  Ability to respond to common inquiries or complaints from customers or vendors.  Must be able to read, write and speak English effectively. 

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS 

Office environment – no specific or unusual physical or environmental demands and employees are regularly required to sit, walk, stand, talk, and hear. 

WORK ENVIRONMENT 

This position operates in an office environment and requires the frequent use of a computer, telephone, copier, and other standard office equipment.

The current range for this position is

This range is exclusive of fringe benefits and potential bonuses.  If hired at ICW Group, your final base salary compensation will be determined by factors unique to each candidate, including experience, education and the location of the role and considers employees performing substantially similar work.

WHY JOIN ICW GROUP?
•    Challenging work and the ability to make a difference
•    You will have a voice and feel a sense of belonging
•    We offer a competitive benefits package, with generous medical, dental, and vision plans as well as 401K retirement plans and company match
•    Bonus potential for all positions
•    Paid Time Off with an accrual rate of 5.23 hours per pay period (equal to 17 days per year)
•    10 paid holidays throughout the calendar year
•    Want to continue learning? We’ll support you 100%

ICW Group is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. ICW Group will not discriminate against an applicant or employee on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, sex/gender, age, physical or mental disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state or local law.