Category Manager, Groceries, Clothing, and Energy

MASS • Full-time • Boston, Massachusetts, United States • $80k - $120k / year • 2d ago

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 Team

OSD'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 focused on delivering high value to our customers as part of the Strategic Sourcing category management team. Using your strong communication, analytical, and category portfolio management talent, you will drive growth across your portfolios. Purchases under all OSD statewide contracts currently exceed $2.2 billion.

We seek a dynamic individual to manage the Groceries, Clothing, and Energy categories with a focus on exceeding customer expectations. You would be expected to use your knowledge of category management to guide the advancement of your categories to ensure that we have anticipated the future needs of our customers through research, vendor relationship management, and trend analysis that will drive year-over-year growth.

In this role, you will work closely with our buyers, vendors and customers to incorporate key government initiatives like positive climate change into your portfolios. You will develop innovative sourcing and procurement strategies and approaches to provide strong and flexible contracts that deliver the best value.

Working with a category partner, the Strategic Sourcing Category Manager is responsible for leading cross functional teams to construct and manage the Statewide Contract sourcing process including research, proposal development, evaluation and analysis, contract negotiations, contract execution, contract and vendor management. You will lead strategic sourcing teams to ensure the goals of the Statewide Contracts meet the needs of those who use them, including executive agencies, municipalities and other eligible entities. 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.

OSD is looking for candidates with the aptitude to work independently and as part of teams to set and meet key deliverables and objectives. Successful candidates will have the following skills and competencies to fulfill the responsibilities of the Strategic Sourcing Category Manager.

Key Responsibilities:

Team Management:
- Build and manage a best in class Strategic Sourcing team of internal and external experts.
- 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.
- Anticipate future customer needs and provide products and services that meet those needs before and during purchase.
Category Management:
- Oversee the pricing, promotion, and portfolio offerings for various categories.
- Develop and execute category strategies to drive best value procurement.
- Manage category performance based on annual goals and objectives.
- Ensure optimal product and service availability to meet customer needs.
- Develop exit strategies for underperforming offerings to customers.
- 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 other internal OSD teams to ensure category success and growth.
Performance Monitoring:
- Establish, track and analyze category performance metrics.
- Implement corrective actions to address any performance issues.
- Assess risk and gather intelligence on fundamental market trends and technical information.
- Prepare and present regular performance reports to senior management.

Qualifications:

Bachelor's degree in Supply Management, Business, Marketing, or a related field.
Proven experience in category management or a similar role.
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.
Problem Solving and Critical Thinking.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office 365 tools, particularly Teams, Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.
The ability to manage multiple projects and tasks within defined timelines.

Preferred Skills:

Knowledge of supply chain and inventory management.
Familiarity with marketing and sales principles.
Public Procurement Experience.

The Operational Services Division values staff diversity and contributions to an inclusive working and learning environment.

DEI Value Statement

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion are integral to the Operational Services Division's (OSD's) mandate to oversee transparent and equitable practices through a variety of public services and programs within the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. OSD commits to cultivating and nurturing a diverse workforce, which is reflective of the communities we serve and recognized as our greatest strength. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion are our core principles, guiding us in who we aspire to be in our business operations and partnerships.

Qualifications:
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:

I. A certificate in a relevant or related field may be substituted for one (1) year of the required (A) experience.

II. A Bachelor's degree in a related field may be substituted for two (2) years of the required (A) experience.

III. A Graduate degree in a related field may be substituted for three (3) years of the required (A) experience.

IV. A Doctorate degree in a related field may be substituted for four (4) years of the required (A) experience.

Comprehensive Benefits

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.

Want the specifics? Explore our Employee Benefits and Rewards!

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.

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