Category Manager, Strategic Procurement - Corporate Services

Job Family

Procurement

Job Description Summary

Identify and engage with the best suppliers to negotiate optimal contracts that balance speed to market, access to needed capabilities, organizational risk tolerance, cost containment, supplier-driven innovation, etc. Act as a trusted advisor to business stakeholders to deliver value through a comprehensive and ethical sourcing approach that support business priorities and improves long term partnerships with stakeholders and suppliers.

Job Description

Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary procurement point of contact for assigned business stakeholders and categories, translating business goals and risk appetite into contracting strategies and decision frameworks

• Provide guidance to fellow team members on negotiation tactics, contracting best practices and category trends.

• Provide valued insight of the external marketplace dynamics, trends, spend analysis, and benchmarks to inform decision- makers and create category strategies for acquisition of performance and outcome-based contracts.

• Optimize category value through strategies such as supplier stratification, supply base rationalization, supply chain business continuity, category or strategy roadmap/supplier alignment, supplier-driven innovation/value creation, directed buys, and competitive bidding.

• Lead and coordinate procurement of assigned categories managing the entire lifecycle from strategy through execution, including RFx solicitation, bid evaluation, and supplier negotiations.

• Communicate professionally with internal stakeholders and external suppliers at all levels from operational through executive as the "face of procurement."

• Act as a trusted advisor to business stakeholders for all procurement decisions related to the category.

• Maintain current knowledge of the supplier marketplace, emerging technologies, diverse suppliers, regulatory changes, pricing trends, and other relevant market dynamics.

• Assure year-over-year supplier productivity improvements via contractual process improvement, automation, and innovation investments.

• Deploy successful engagement model with suppliers, partnering with VMO, Legal, and business stakeholders

• Negotiate contracts, and contract change orders.

• Assure continuous improvement of category process, strategies, data sources, tools, and metrics.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in business administration, supply chain management or a related field, or equivalent experience

• Minimum 3 years of experience in category management, procurement, strategic sourcing, supplier management, and contract management

• Knowledge of supplier identification, evaluation, and selection skills

• Understanding of supplier management, procurement, and category management best practices and industry trends for assigned categories.

• Excellent negotiation skills with the ability to build good rapport with suppliers, while keeping the company’s interests in mind

• Strong written and verbal communication and interpersonal skills requiring a balance of assertiveness, tact and diplomacy

• Ability to work effectively and cultivate relationships across all levels of the organization and external parties

• Ability to work effectively with teams across geographic locations and time zones

• Ability to manage ambiguous situations and drive towards clarification

• Analytical and problem-solving skills, and attention to detail

• Ability to work under pressure, set priorities, and meet deadlines in a rapid-paced environment

• Self-motivated and the ability to manage multiple projects and support activities within a single job function

Preferred Qualifications

• Procurement experience managing Corporate Services related categories (e.g. IT, Finance, HR, Legal & Compliance, Market Data, Marketing, Public Affairs, Facilities, Risk, Global Insurance, travel, etc.)

• Category Management experience with Market Data Subscription vendors (e.g. Bloomberg, Moody’s, Morningstar, S&P, Refinitiv, Murex, ICAP, etc.)

• MBA, JD, or equivalent combination of advanced education and experience

• Experience working in a Contracting Lifecycle Management System (CLM)

• Certified Sourcing Professional (CSP), Certified Outsourcing Professional (COP), or similar industry certification

• Participation in Sourcing, Procurement, and or Outsourcing Industry Associations such as Sourcing Industry Group (SIG), International Association of Outsourcing Professionals (IAOP), Procurement Foundry, institute for Supply Management (ISM), or National Contract Management Association (NCMA)

• Global perspective and experience working with diverse customer and suppliers

• Experience managing outsourcing and/or professional services suppliers with global product/service provisioning models

• Experience in the financial services or similar highly regulated industry

• Understanding of outsourcing models, supplier, products and services.

Working Conditions

• Hybrid (Tuesday - Thursday)

• Occasional Travel <10% (Travel for business meetings)

The Salary for this position generally ranges between $71,000 - $94,000 annually. Please note that the salary range is a good faith estimate for this position and actual starting pay is determined by several factors including qualifications, experience, geography, work location designation (in-office, hybrid, remote) and operational needs. Salary may vary above and below the stated amounts, as permitted by applicable law.

Additionally, this position is typically eligible for an Annual Bonus based on the Company Bonus Plan/Individual Performance and is at the Company’s discretion.

Disclaimer:
Beware of fake job offers!

We’ve been alerted to scammers impersonating Transamerica recruiters, particularly for remote positions. Please note:

• We will never request personal information such as ID or payment for equipment upfront.

• Official offers are sent via DocuSign following a verbal offer—not through text or email.

This job description is not a contract of employment nor for any specific job responsibilities. The Company may change, add to, remove, or revoke the terms of this job description at its discretion. Managers may assign other duties and responsibilities as needed. In the event an employee or applicant requests or requires an accommodation to perform job functions, the applicable HR Business Partner should be contacted to evaluate the accommodation request.

What We Offer  

 

For eligible employees, we offer a comprehensive benefits package designed to support both the personal and financial well-being of our employees. 

 

Compensation Benefits 

• Competitive Pay 

• Bonus for Eligible Employees 

 

Benefits Package 

• Pension Plan 

• 401k Match

• Employee Stock Purchase Plan

• Tuition Reimbursement

• Disability Insurance

• Medical Insurance

• Dental Insurance

• Vision Insurance

• Employee Discounts

• Career Training & Development Opportunities

 

Health and Work/Life Balance Benefits 

• Paid Time Off starting at 160 hours annually for employees in their first year of service.

• Ten (10) paid holidays per year (typically mirroring the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) holidays).

• Be Well Company holistic wellness program, which includes Wellness Coaching and Reward Dollars 

• Parental Leave – fifteen (15) days of paid parental leave per calendar year to eligible employees with at least one year of service at the time of birth, placement of an adopted child, or placement of a foster care child.

• Adoption Assistance

• Employee Assistance Program

• Back-Up Care Program

• PTO for Volunteer Hours

• Employee Matching Gifts Program

• Employee Resource Groups

• Inclusion and Diversity Programs

• Employee Recognition Program

• Referral Bonus Programs

 

Inclusion & Diversity  

  

We believe our commitment to diversity and inclusion creates a work environment filled with exceptional individuals. We’re thrilled to have been recognized for our efforts through the Human Rights Campaign Corporate Equality Index, Dave Thomas Adoption Friendly Advocate, and several Seramount lists, including the Inclusion Index, 100 Best Companies for Working Parents, Best Companies for Dads, and Top 75 Companies for Executive Women. 

  

To foster a culture of inclusivity throughout our workforce, workplace, and marketplace, Transamerica offers a wide range of diversity and inclusion programs. This includes our company-sponsored, employee-driven Employee Resource Groups (ERGs), which are formed around a shared interest or a common characteristic of diversity. ERGs are open to all employees. They provide a supportive environment to help us better appreciate our similarities and differences and understand how they benefit us all. 

   

Giving Back  

  

We believe our responsibilities extend beyond our corporate walls. That's why we created the Aegon Transamerica Foundation in 1994. Through a mix of financial grants and the volunteer efforts of our employees, the foundation supports nonprofit organizations focused on the things that matter most to our people in the communities where we live and work.     

  

Transamerica’s Parent Company  

 

Aegon acquired the Transamerica business in 1999. Since its start in 1844, Aegon has  grown into an international company serving more than 23.9 million people across the globe.* It offers investment, protection, and retirement solutions, always with a clear purpose: Helping people live their best lives. As a leading global investor and employer, the company seeks to have a positive impact by addressing critical environmental and societal issues, with a focus on climate change and inclusion and diversity.   

* As of December 31, 2023