Category Manager
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas

Are you ready to make a difference? Choose to work for one of the most trusted companies in Kansas.

You Belong At Blue

Why Join Us?

• Make a Positive Impact: Your work will directly contribute to the health and well-being of Kansans.
• Family Comes First: Total rewards package that promotes the idea of family first for all employees. Paid vacation and sick leave with paid maternity and paternity available immediately upon hire
• Professional Growth Opportunities: Advance your career with ongoing training and development programs.
• Dynamic Work Environment: Collaborate with a team of passionate and driven individuals in a work environment that promotes flexibility.
• Trust and Stability: Work for one of the most trusted companies in Kansas with over 80 years of commitment, compassion and community.
• Inclusive Work Environment: We pride ourselves on fostering a workplace where everyone is valued and respected.

Benefits & Perks

• Base compensation is only one component of your competitive Total Rewards package
  • Incentive pay program (EPIP)
  • Health/Vision/Dental insurance
  • 6 weeks paid parental leave for new mothers and fathers
  • Fertility/Adoption assistance
  • 2 weeks paid caregiver leave
  • 401(k) plan matching up to 5%
  • Tuition reimbursement
  • Health & fitness benefits, discounts and resources

Job Summary

The Category Manager serves as a strategic business partner, integrating with business areas and contributing specialized expertise to drive operational efficiencies, value, and long-term success. This role develops and executes category strategies, manages relationships with internal stakeholders and suppliers, and ensures business area objectives are met through effective contract negotiations and issue resolution.

The Category Manager is a resource for business area integration, providing guidance and expertise to internal teams. The role supports collaboration, implements supplier segmentation strategies, and ensures alignment with Vendor Management Office (VMO) policies, procedures, and regulatory requirements. The Category Manager reports on supplier performance, drives continuous improvement, and contributes to enterprise initiatives such as the Supplier Experience Cohort Task Force.

"This position is eligible to work remotely, hybrid or onsite in accordance with our Telecommuting Policy. Applicants must reside in Kansas or Missouri or be willing to relocate as a condition of employment."

What you'll do

• Integrate with business areas as a strategic business partner to understand needs, provide expertise, and deliver solutions that align with organizational goals.
• Develop and execute long-term engagement strategies with business areas to ensure sustained value and continuous improvement.
• Develop and implement category roadmap, strategies, and plans to drive operational efficiencies, cost savings, risk management, safety, innovation, and ongoing category development.
• Oversee activities and processes for assigned categories, ensuring alignment with organizational objectives.
• Provide solutions for continuous improvement in supplier relationships and internal business partner practices.
• Foster continuous improvement in vendor management by implementing effective reporting, tracking, and analytics.
• Act as an educational resource for internal business partners on vendor management, sourcing strategies, and policy adherence.
• Build and maintain strong, collaborative partnerships with key suppliers, ensuring performance meets organizational goals.
• Address vendor issues to ensure high service delivery.
• Negotiate and amend complex contracts and agreements with suppliers to achieve optimal value and quality.

What you need

Education and Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Operations Management, Business, Mathematics, Statistics, or a related field is required.
• In lieu of degree, minimum of 8 years' progressive, relevant experience within direct or related field is required.
• Three (3) to five (5) years of experience in procurement, vendor management, and/or category management, with direct involvement in strategic sourcing and category management is required.
• Relevant certifications (e.g., Certified Purchasing Manager, Certified Professional in Supply Management, Certified Professional in Supplier Diversity, Certified Purchasing Professional) preferred.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

• Strong project management skills, with the ability to prioritize tasks and meet deadlines across multiple projects.
• Proven ability to collaborate with and influence stakeholders at all levels to drive successful outcomes.
• Skilled in building and maintaining effective relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Financial acumen with experience using data analytics and scorecards to support strategic business decision making.
• Proficient in research, critical thinking, and presenting actionable insights.
• Digital dexterity to quickly adapt to new technologies, tools, and platforms to improve efficiency.
• In-depth knowledge of Supplier, Procurement, and Vendor Management protocols, policies, and procedures, with experience creating policies and procedures being a plus.
• Expertise in contract negotiation, redlining, and managing contract lifecycle from negotiation to renewal.
• Strong negotiation and conflict resolution skills to manage relationships and ensure mutually beneficial agreements.
• Ability to lead cross-functional projects independently and communicate effectively across teams.
• Knowledge of regulatory compliance and the ability to monitor vendor performance and drive continuous improvement.
• Demonstrate strong business judgment, integrity, financial acumen, and project management skills to drive successful outcomes.
• Project management and process improvement experience preferred.
• Experience in identifying and implementing lean principles into workflows is a plus.

Compensation

$85,600 - $107,000
Exempt Grade 16

• Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas offers excellent competitive compensation with the goal of retaining and growing talented team members. The compensation range for this role is a good faith estimate, it is estimated based on what a successful candidate might be paid. All offers presented to candidates are carefully reviewed to ensure fair, equitable pay by offering competitive wages that align with the individual's skills, education, experience, and training. The range may vary above or below the stated amounts.

Our Commitment to Connection and Belonging

At Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas, we are committed to fostering a culture of connection and belonging, where mutual respect is at the foundation of our workplace. We provide equal employment opportunities to all individuals, regardless of race, color, religion, belief, sex, pregnancy (including childbirth, lactation, and related medical conditions), national origin, age, physical or mental disability, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information (including characteristics and testing), military or veteran status, family or parental status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas conducts pre-employment drug screening, criminal conviction check, employment verifications and education as part of a conditional offer of employment.

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