Category Manager, IT Equipment & Telecommunications

Company: Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Location: Boston
Posted on: November 6, 2024

Job Description:

ALERTEffective January 25, 2024, Executive Order #627 cements the Commonwealth's well-established practice of skills-based hiring, paving the way to a more equitable hiring process. The Commonwealth is committed to ensuring a diverse and inclusive workplace where all employees feel respected, valued, and empowered to serve our citizens. Join us today!Job Description - Category Manager, IT Equipment & Telecommunications (2400099J)About the Operational Services Division (OSD)The Operational Services Division (OSD) is an oversight agency of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts within the Executive Office for Administration and Finance. OSD's primary focus is to help our government buyers and business customers succeed in meeting their goals by providing outstanding customer service, competent advice and guidance, and high-quality products and services that exceed the expectations of those we serve.Join our Dynamic TeamOSD's diverse team of 150+ professionals is transforming the way government operates. Our hybrid work environment fosters creativity and collaboration, allowing us to deliver cutting-edge solutions in strategic sourcing, print and mail, surplus property, and more. Join us and make a lasting impact. The Strategic Sourcing unit is a forward-thinking, innovative team of procurement professionals responsible for the development and oversight of statewide contracts that generate $2.2 billion in annual spend. Through effective category management, stakeholder engagement, and data-driven analysis, our unit delivers procurement solutions that meet the evolving needs of public buyers and incorporate positive climate change and supplier diversity into the procurement process.Together with a Category Partner, and employing your experience in information technology, strategic sourcing, and category management, you will drive year-over-year growth and continuous improvement in the Information Technology Equipment and Telecommunications categories. You will use your strong communication and analytical skills to build and lead cross-functional, results-driven teams to construct and manage the statewide contract sourcing process end-to-end, including market research, trend analysis, solicitation development, evaluation, negotiations, and vendor relationship management. You will foster a positive, innovative, and purpose-driven culture that can effectively manage ambiguity and uncertainty to remain focused on achieving desired sourcing outcomes.Your success in this role will be measured by your ability to cultivate strategic relationships with stakeholders that create flexible, innovative, customer-focused contracts that deliver best procurement value and incorporate key initiatives like positive climate change and supplier diversity into your portfolios.Key Responsibilities:Team Management:

• Build and manage best in class strategic sourcing teams of internal and external experts.
• Monitor strategic sourcing members performance.
• Foster and maintain an innovative and collaborative team environment.Strategic Planning:
  • Lead the development and implementation of category strategies.
  • Analyze market trends and customer insights to identify opportunities and risks.
  • Collaborate with cross functional teams to implement and manage category strategies.
  • Deliver products and services that anticipate customer needs.Category Management:
    • Oversee the pricing, promotion, and portfolio offerings for assigned categories.
    • Develop and execute category strategies to drive best value procurement.
    • Manage category performance based on annual goals and objectives.
    • Ensure product and service availability to meet customer needs.
    • Develop exit strategies for underperforming offerings.
    • Ensure alignment with industry trends and market standards.Vendor and Stakeholder Relations:
      • Build and maintain strong relationships with vendors, customers and industries within each portfolio.
      • Negotiate contracts and terms to achieve the best value.
      • Coordinate with internal teams to ensure category success and growth.Performance Monitoring:
        • Establish, track and analyze category performance metrics.
        • Implement corrective actions.
        • Assess risk and gather intelligence on market trends and technical specifications.
        • Present regular reports to senior management and other audiences, ensuring information is accurate, understandable and readily available.Preferred Qualifications:
          • Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Information Technology, Business, Marketing, or a related field.
          • Strong understanding of information technology hardware and/or telecommunications industries.
          • Proven experience in category management or strategic sourcing.
          • Strong leadership and team management skills.
          • Excellent research, analytical and strategic planning abilities.
          • Effective communication and negotiation skills.
          • Proficiency in data analysis and market research tools.
          • Familiarity with marketing and sales principles.
          • The ability to manage multiple projects and tasks with defined timelines.
          • Problem Solving and Critical Thinking.
          • Proficiency with Microsoft Office 365 tools, particularly Teams, Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.Minimum Entrance Requirements:Applicants must have at least (A) five (5) years of full-time or, equivalent part-time, professional, administrative, supervisory, or managerial experience in business administration, business management, public administration, public management, clinical administration or clinical management of which (B) at least one (1) year must have been in a project management, supervisory or managerial capacity or (C) any equivalent combination of the required experience and substitutions below.Substitutions:
            • A certificate in a relevant or related field may be substituted for one (1) year of the required (A) experience.
            • A Bachelor's degree in a related field may be substituted for two (2) years of the required (A) experience.
            • A Graduate degree in a related field may be substituted for three (3) years of the required (A) experience.
            • A Doctorate degree in a related field may be substituted for four (4) years of the required (A) experience.When you embark on a career with the Commonwealth, you are offered an outstanding suite of employee benefits that add to the overall value of your compensation package. We take pride in providing a work experience that supports you, your loved ones, and your future.An Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer. Females, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.The Commonwealth is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, national origin, veteran status, or any other basis covered by appropriate law. Research suggests that qualified women, Black, Indigenous, and Persons of Color (BIPOC) may self-select out of opportunities if they don't meet 100% of the job requirements. We encourage individuals who believe they have the skills necessary to thrive to apply for this role.Primary LocationJobJob: Administrative ServicesAgencyAgency: Operational Services DivisionScheduleSchedule: Full-timeShiftShift: DayJob PostingJob Posting: Oct 25, 2024, 8:45:52 PMNumber of OpeningsNumber of Openings: 1SalarySalary: 82,000.00 - 115,000.00 YearlyIf you have Diversity, Affirmative Action or Equal Employment Opportunity questions or need a Reasonable Accommodation, please contact Diversity Officer / ADA Coordinator: Ashley Pierce - 6177203300Bargaining Unit: M99-Managers (EXE)Confidential: NoPotentially Eligible for a Hybrid Work Schedule: Yes
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Keywords: Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Woonsocket , Category Manager, IT Equipment & Telecommunications, IT / Software / Systems , Boston, Rhode Island