Category Manager - Lab, Scientific & Academic Services

We are seeking a Category Manager - Lab, Scientific & Academic Services that reports to the Director of Strategic Sourcing for the assigned categories and is responsible for maximizing company profitability for an assigned category to achieve established annualized savings targets. This position optimizes value across company expenditures by leading the acquisition of business and professional services. It owns development of the overall portfolios and the individual category's strategies and is responsible for monitoring and maintaining the implemented strategy on an ongoing basis.

Specific Duties & Responsibilities

• Builds a short- and long-term category strategy that aligns to both the overall University strategy and the individual division's strategy.
• Oversees category portfolio group strategy implementation activities leveraging current and future business requirements, market intelligence, and historical spend to drive cost reduction, enterprise consistency, and business value.
• Develops and leads cross functional teams to execute on strategy.
• Develops and maintains collaborative relationships with stakeholders to ensure strategy alignment to divisional needs over time as well as work collaboratively with Johns Hopkins Health System where interests align.
• Provides category specific subject matter expertise and insights to internal clients and regular status updates of all projects to leadership.
• Establishes metrics, savings targets and monitor performance for the category portfolio, and communicate these to stakeholders.
• Creates a category specific initiative pipeline that will forecast and direct procurement projects and sourcing activities.
• Maintains expertise in the spend category through relationships with the internal customers, suppliers and market experts.
• Builds and maintains collaborative relationships with divisional leaders, clients and key stakeholders.
• Directs the processing and maintenance of purchase orders, contracts and proposals for clients and vendors, per the spend category.
• Accountable for the negotiation and establishment of preferential commercial terms with suppliers and directing, preparing and reviewing related legal contracts.
• Works with legal, internal audit and other related compliance groups to ensure category strategies and supplier contracts account for relevant laws, regulations, and risk policies.
• Assists in the recruitment, selection and training/coaching/development of personnel.
• Acts as change agent and advocate for procurement as a value-added partner.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Special Skills and Knowledge

• Innovative Thinking: Proven ability to connect ideas, events, and circumstances to find category management solutions to business problems or goals.
• Applies flexible approaches to achieving category management results in dynamic situations.
• Skilled in change adoption, change management, and resource assessment.
• Keen negotiation skills.
• Strong contract knowledge of both commercial and legal terms.
• Familiarity with applicable state and federal laws and regulations helpful.
• Experience in use of eSourcing tools to enable optimal strategic outcomes.
• Ability to work independently. Energetic and self-motivated.
• Ability to influence others to voluntarily adopt category management practices.
• Strong analytical and financial skills.
• Strong oral and written communication.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Power Point, Project, and Excel, eSourcing Rfx tools.
• Knowledge of SAP a plus.

Machines and/or equipment used on the job

• Personal Computer, telephone, fax, copier, calculator - 90%

Computer or other special needs for the position

• Strong computer skills, including MS Excel/Word/Power Point/Access; SAP R3

Degree of independent action performed on the job

• Dependent upon experience and expertise. Independence grows with time and competence.

Internal and external contacts required as part of the job

• Faculty, staff, vendors and occasionally, government officials.

Physical requirements for the job

• No vigorous physical requirements.
• Must be able to move about freely in an office environment.

Travel requirements

• Less than 10%.

• Bachelor's Degree required, preferably in Supply Chain Management.
• Minimum 5 years of progressive procurement experience, designing and implementing successful Category/Sub-Category strategies. Minimum of three years of experience with specific area of oversight.
• Additional education may substitute for required experience and additional related experience may substitute for required education, to the extent permitted by the JHU equivalency formula.

• MBA or advanced Degree in related discipline preferred. CPM or CPSM preferred.

• Experience working in a highly decentralized organization or academic research institution preferred.

Classified Title: Category Portfolio Group Manager
Job Posting Title (Working Title):Category Manager - Lab, Scientific & Academic Services
Role/Level/Range: ATP/04/PE
Starting Salary Range: $73,300 - $128,300 Annually (Commensurate with experience)
Employee group: Full Time
Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:30am - 5:00pm
Exempt Status:Exempt
Location:Hybrid/JH at Keswick
Department name: Buying
Personnel area: University Administration