Professional Services Procurement Category Manager

Wilmington, DE

 Monday to Friday 8:00 am to 5:00 pm

Hybrid (1-2 days in office per week)

 

 The Professional Services Procurement Category Manager is responsible for developing and executing procurement strategies for Human Resources related services, marketing services, and professional services categories. This role involves developing category strategies, analyzing spend data to identify opportunities, managing supplier relationships, negotiating contracts, and ensuring that procurement activities align with organizational goals and compliance requirements. This person will be a people manager and will collaborate globally with a wide range of cross functional stakeholders.  The ideal candidate will have a strong background in procurement, excellent negotiation skills, and a deep understanding of HR, marketing and/or professional services markets.

 

Some of the things you will be doing:

Category Strategy Development: Develop and implement procurement strategies for HR services (e.g., recruitment, training, employee benefits), marketing (e.g. digital, print, advertising) and professional services (e.g., consulting, temp labor, or software services). Analyze market trends, supplier capabilities, and internal requirements to formulate effective sourcing strategies. Identify and prioritize key areas for cost savings, consolidation opportunities and process improvements. Supplier Management: Identify and evaluate potential suppliers (using RFP/quotation management, bid analysis and recommendation) and manage the selection and onboarding process. Build and maintain strong relationships with key preferred partners, third party suppliers and service providers. Rationalizes supply base and develops strategic supply partner framework that aligns with service level agreements (SLAs) and contractual obligations. Contract Negotiation and Management: Lead complex multi-year contract negotiations to secure favorable terms and conditions that align to stakeholder requirements. Draft, review, and manage contracts to ensure they meet legal and organizational standards resolving any issues or disputes. People Leadership:  Establish goals and objectives for team supporting all HR, Marketing, professional service categories.  Manage the full spectrum of employee management, development, coaching, and training. Stakeholder Engagement: Collaborate with internal stakeholders (e.g., HR, marketing, finance, IT) to understand their needs and requirements. Provide expertise and guidance on procurement-related matters to ensure alignment with organizational goals. Facilitate communication between stakeholders and suppliers to ensure smooth procurement processes. Process Improvement: Continuously evaluate and improve procurement processes to enhance efficiency and effectiveness. Implement best practices and innovative solutions to optimize procurement activities.

 

What technical skills, experience, and qualifications do you need:

Bachelor’s degree in business administration, Supply Chain Management, Procurement, or a related field. Advanced degree or professional certification (e.g., CPM, CIPS) preferred. 10+ years of strategic sourcing experience, with a focus on HR, marketing and/or professional services categories. Strong knowledge of procurement best practices, contract management, and supplier relationship management. Excellent communication, negotiation, analytical, and problem-solving skills. Ability to work collaboratively with diverse teams and stakeholders. Proficiency in procurement software and tools (Oracle, SAP S/4 Hana, etc.) 

 

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