Head of Category Management – Professional Services

Are you the type of person who loves to learn and understand how and why new processes work? Do you enjoy solving your customer’s business problems through a solid sourcing process and strong contract negotiations? Does the idea of each day bringing a new challenge to solve excite you? The ideal candidate will be responsible for managing the Professional Services and Consulting category which consists of: IT Outsourcing/Managed Services, Professional Services, Advisory and Human Resources Services. The ideal candidate is responsible for the enterprise sourcing, contracting, and vendor management within the category. The position will also be responsible for managing a group of four sourcing professionals and will report to the Head of Sourcing and Category Management. The candidate must possess strong leadership skills to influence the business on category management opportunities and savings. The focus of this role is to collaborate with business leaders to develop and integrate strategic category management strategies across the organization. The ideal candidate will be responsible for creating and implementing strategies that drive value, foster innovation, propose saving opportunities, and mitigate risk for the business. The role also involves managing supplier relationships within the category. In addition to the above, the candidate must possess strong understanding of gathering business requirements, analyzing spend distribution, identify savings opportunities, developing RFP/RFI specifications, sourcing strategies and supplier negotiation strategies for fulfilling business stakeholder needs. The candidate would engage suppliers and lead the sourcing process to select an appropriate supplier for fulfilment. The candidate will lead pricing and contract negotiations, stemming from the sourcing process, to ensure Guardian receives superior commercial and contractual terms. He/she will also own a set of supplier relationships, drive issue resolutions and monitor supplier performance. You will Be responsible for managing Strategic Sourcing processes for categories including IT and Non-IT Professional Services, IT Outsourcing, Managed Services, Advisory and Human Resources Services.

Provide thought leadership and drives key stakeholder alignment and successful execution of sourcing and procurement strategies.

Review appropriate type of sourcing strategies (e.g., demand management, supply management, process improvement, etc.) and tactics (e.g., RFP, direct negotiation, etc.) and develops execution plans accordingly.

Manage development, distribution, and facilitation of supplier qualification and RFx events.

Research and negotiate vendor agreements and contracts.

Lead supplier negotiations, including negotiable issues across commercial and business terms; analyzes proposals across multiple considerations (e.g., service levels, quality, pricing, supplier innovations, risks, etc.).

Evaluate potential award scenarios, develops recommendations, and socializes recommendations with business stakeholders. Finalizes implementation plans based on results of award decisions.

Define and implements process improvements in the category to increase Business stakeholder satisfaction, reduce cycle time of engagement and deliver efficiency gains while ensuring compliance with policies and mitigating supplier risk.

Establishes category documentation such as addressable spend, category value levers, and evaluates preliminary category value hypotheses.

Exhibit solid leadership skills and demonstrate an ability to mentor, develop, and retain outstanding strategic sourcing members.

Develop team member capabilities, particularly in category management and strategic sourcing processes.

Create an operational culture focused on professionalism while providing quality, and value-added service.

You have BS/BA in Supply Chain, Economics, Finance or Business Administration; CSCP or MBA preferred.

Minimum 15 years of combined sourcing/procurement/supply chain experience and/or functional experience in the assigned category.

Influencer with ability to drive alignment between varied stakeholders including suppliers and business partners and manage executive-level relationships and interactions.

Demonstrates expertise in strategic sourcing for Professional Services categories at a global scale and within a fast paced, and dynamic organization.

Deep category experience in the above categories mentioned.

Professional Services Industry expertise, either in a Sourcing/Procurement role or within the business or service delivery.

Successful track record in developing collaborative, highly effective, strategic, and tactical relationships with diverse business groups across all levels.

Experience utilizing relevant procurement technologies (e.g., Spend Analytics, GreenCabbage, Gartner, etc.).

Excellent interpersonal, communication and relationship building skills.

Identify key issues from a broad range of alternatives and recommend optimal solutions for various situations.

Proven track record to influence business partners when needed to institute vital changes.

Leadership experience in establishing core department strategies and goals that tie to broader enterprise priorities.

Reporting Relationship This position reports to the Head of Category & Supplier Management. Location Hybrid role: 2 days in office; 3 days WFH. Located at the Holmdel, NJ or Hudson Yards, NYC offices. Travel to other offices as needed.

Salary Range $126,970.00 - $208,600.00. The salary range reflected above is a good faith estimate of base pay for the primary location of the position. The salary for this position ultimately will be determined based on the education, experience, knowledge, and abilities of the successful candidate. In addition to salary, this role may also be eligible for annual, sales, or other incentive compensation. Our Promise At Guardian, you’ll have the support and flexibility to achieve your professional and personal goals. Through skill-building, leadership development and philanthropic opportunities, we provide opportunities to build communities and grow your career, surrounded by diverse colleagues with high ethical standards. Inspire Well-Being As part of Guardian’s Purpose – to inspire well-being – we are committed to offering contemporary, supportive, flexible, and inclusive benefits and resources to our colleagues. Health Care Choice of [high deductible/copay] medical plans* with prescription drugs, including coverage for fertility and transgender inclusive benefits.

Dental plan.

Vision plan.

Health care accounts – flexible spending, health reimbursement, and health savings accounts.

Critical illness insurance.

Life and Disability Insurance Company-paid Life and Disability insurance plus voluntary supplemental coverage.

Accident insurance.

Retirement and Financial 401(k) retirement plan with a company match, plus an annual age/service-based Company contribution and an annual profit-sharing contribution, if applicable.

Complimentary 1:1 financial guidance with a licensed Fidelity representative.

Time Off and Remote Work Flexible work arrangements (part in-person/part remote).

Unlimited paid time off for most roles plus time off for volunteering, jury duty, voting, and bereavement.

Personal holidays for colleagues to use in recognition of religious, cultural, or civic days.

Paid parental leave and paid family and medical leave policies.

Emotional Well-Being and Work-Life Emotional well-being, mental health, and work/life resources powered by Spring Health.

Wellness programs, including fitness program and equipment reimbursement.

Child, adult, and elder back-up care support through Bright Horizons.

Adoption assistance.

College planning.

Tuition reimbursement.

Student loan assistance.

Commuter benefits in select metropolitan areas.

Equity & Inclusion Opportunities to build inclusive and meaningful connections through involvement in colleague-led affinity groups: Employee Resource Groups.

Colleague Connection Committees.

Community Involvement Committees.

A culture that encourages colleagues to bring their authentic selves to work. Voluntary self-ID.

Pronunciation and phonetic spelling of names.

Benefits apply to full-time eligible employees. Interns are not eligible for most Company benefits. Equal Employment Opportunity Guardian is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to age, race, color, creed, religion, sex, affectional or sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, marital status, disability, military or veteran status, or any other classification protected by applicable law. Accommodations Guardian is committed to providing access, equal opportunity and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, its services, programs, and activities. Guardian also provides reasonable accommodations to qualified job applicants (and employees) to accommodate the individual's known limitations related to pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions, unless doing so would create an undue hardship. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact

applicant_accommodation@glic.com . Current Guardian Colleagues: Please apply through the internal Jobs Hub in Workday.

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