Director - Category Group - Unum - Chattanooga

Job description
Category Group Director has overall responsibility for sourcing, category strategy development, supplier relationship management and cost savings for assigned categories, working closely with business areas. Strong capability required in the following areas: (1) category strategy development & management; (2) supplier and business partner relationship management – being a trusted business advisor; (3) project management - facilitation and collaboration skills; (4) opportunity identification expertise – deep knowledge in spend areas.


Category Group Director will lead a team of internal and external personnel to proactively drive category strategy development and manage sourcing projects, contract negotiations and supplier management plans in support of business objectives for assigned categories. Category Group Director is a key member of the extended leadership team for Supply Management, as we drive the transformation of the function and build our capability.



Principal Duties and Responsibilities



Category Strategy And Demand Management
Ensure that annual categories plans, including detailed spend analysis, supply market analysis, business and category strategy alignment, stakeholder analysis and opportunity pipeline are developed and implemented for assigned categories.
Identify opportunities and develops a project pipeline in collaboration with business partners
Develop, influence, and manage category strategy development process for assigned categories across enterprise. Interacts with business partners to understand current and future sourcing needs and related spend for all in-scope segments and new services/products.
Lead and provide oversight for sourcing approaches (including RFI/RFP and negotiations) to drive a sustainable competitive advantage and concentrate spend with key suppliers in support of business objectives and goals
Proactively conduct market-intelligence activities.
Perform industry, supply market and supply chain research/analytics.
Uncover trends and best practices in category sourcing and outsourcing.
Share knowledge, insight and advice in a way that contributes to long-term business strategies.
Ensure effective supplier selection, negotiation and contracting process for assigned categories.
Develop, manage, and report on appropriate category performance metrics to provide credible input to business planning, sourcing strategies, and budgeting process.

Sourcing Solution Management
Develop and lead cross-functional teams in the development and execution of sourcing strategies and plans, including the implementation of sourcing solutions and demand management opportunities for assigned categories.
Ensure sourcing solutions align with and support business objectives across dimensions of service, total cost, security of supply, quality, and appropriate compliance or regulatory needs
Drive overall project reporting, status, metrics and output of results for strategic projects
Provide project oversight and guidance, especially with respect to meeting key milestones and ensuring stakeholders buy-in
Provide leadership for the development of negotiation strategies, plans and overall negotiation process.
Develop and manage risk mitigation plans for at-risk suppliers within the supply base for assigned categories.

Relationship Management & Collaboration
Build relationships with key suppliers and business partners that achieve business goals & objectives
Promote a collaborative style while ensuring project timelines and objectives are met or exceeded through demonstrating a high proficiency around influencing skills and building consensus
Design and maintain relationship management and interaction cadence for designated business area(s)
Serve as a trusted business advisor and provide business partners with insights/opportunities to better manage external spend within their areas
Manage supplier contracts for assigned categories throughout the agreement’s lifecycle ensuring proactive management of agreement expirations, amendments, etc. aligned to category strategies
Partner in conjunction with business partners to implement appropriate supplier management strategies.
Responsible for managing the business review process with strategic and preferred suppliers to ensure supplier performance and our future business needs are aligned.

Leadership & Training
Lead cross-functional Unum sourcing councils to provide ongoing governance and thought leadership around continuous improvement and compliance for designated categories.
Ensure that top talent is hired and retained (as applicable).
Provide training and development opportunities, including stretch assignments, for team and provide honest and open feedback to aid in the development of talent
Promote benefits of change, catalyst for change across enterprise and adapt to changes as required
Attract, retain, and develop a competent & motivated team capable of meeting current and future needs
Perform other duties as assigned.

Job Specifications


Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Finance, Economics, Supply Chain Management, Technology or equivalent work. MBA preferred.
10+ years of category & supplier management, and strategic sourcing experience
Minimum 5 years as a people manager
Familiarity with operational excellence tools & processes (e.g. Lean/Six Sigma)
Strong influencing and relationship skills
Extensive strategy development, process management/operations experience
Extensive experience with change and category management.
Exceptional organizational skills, with the ability to shift priorities and manage changing demands with a sense of urgency
Strong commitment to career and professional maturity; able to lead others, function autonomously as well as part of a team
Leadership Behaviors
Deliver Outcomes - Demonstrate a bias for speed and execution that serves our shareholders and customers.
Operate as a Team Player - Work together to drive solutions for the good of Unum
Build Strong Partnerships – Demonstrate integrity and build trust with others.
Strive for Excellence - Motivate yourself and others to achieve high standards and continuously improve
Direct experience in leading complex negotiations, including understanding tradeoffs between strategic and financial drivers and contractual protections
Strong initiative with ability to set stretch goals and define steps to achieve results.
Advanced PC skills required (Excel, Power Point, Word, etc.)
Meets the standards for this position, as defined in the Talent Management Framework

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