Category Manager - Software

Boston, MA, United States

Category Manager – Software

Procurement

Full-Time

Boston, MA or Springfield, MA

The Opportunity

On the MassMutual Procurement team, we have a goal to enable MassMutual’s mission and vision by providing the right supplier solution at the right time. Our mission is to streamline the procurement process, align supplier partners to meet business needs and continuously increase the value provided to our policyholders.

As a Software Category Manager, you will be responsible for leading and/or providing guidance on the development, execution and ongoing management of category and sourcing strategies for software purchases across the enterprise. This will include the design, development, and oversight of a category plan (strategy). You will also serve as the lead contact between key business executives and procurement, understanding their strategy and aligning your category strategy appropriately. You will serve as the software procurement expert, partnering across the business and with other procurement functional areas including strategic sourcing, supplier diversity, and procurement operations. A strong mix of analytic, strategic vision, and communication skills will ensure your success. You will partner closely with teams in the MassMutual Procurement Organization and cross-functional stakeholders to ensure that our supplier relationships are being optimized across multiple facets including innovation, value realization, continuous improvement, and risk mitigation.

In this role, as well as all roles within MassMutual, you will demonstrate accountability, agility, a dedication to be inclusive, a strong business acumen, and will show courage, even in the most difficult situations. We also highly value strong communication skills, a passion for learning, leadership traits, resilience and self-awareness.

The Team

The team is comprised of seasoned, collaborative professionals with experience in procurement, category management, supplier management, and sourcing. The broader procurement team in a rapidly developing and growing group of procurement professionals who are excited about maturing procurement at MassMutual.

The Impact

Your impact would include but is not limited to:

Lead the procurement software category strategy for all enterprise software (e.g., on premise, cloud, SaaS, etc.)

Drive multi-year, multi-million-dollar SaaS licensing negotiations while adhering to our technology roadmap

Responsible for managing key supplier relationships

Ensures that services and products meet the strategic needs of stakeholders. Participates in the negotiation process of service level agreements and ensures that contractual obligations are met

Champion third party risk management process compliance and Supplier Diversity

Create and monitor category budgets, as appropriate

Explore supplier and market opportunities to improve upon current spending

Actively engage internal stakeholders across the enterprise to ensure frequent communication and alignment on overall MassMutual supplier management strategies and strategic supplier specific strategies.

Guide Procurement in preparation for and facilitating of contract negotiations and oversee the overall contracting process from a supplier experience and quality standpoint

Lead supplier onboarding and offboarding activities, as well as managing appropriate supplier specific ongoing monitoring plans. Investigate on all supplier issues by working with relevant internal stakeholders and help the supplier to resolve issues efficiently

Minimum Qualifications

7+ years of procurement and/or sourcing experience with an emphasis in software/SaaS

5+ years of experience in research of software contracting trends, licensing models and SaaS fee structures

Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Supply Chain Management, Information Technology, or related field

Ideal Qualifications

Experience with research and analysis around software specific industry trends resulting in recommendations and insights to stakeholder strategies

7+ years of demonstrating an ability to influence and encourage leaders from across the organization towards positive supplier relationships and results delivery

5+ years of experience of influencing across the organization for compliance with standards and escalating noncompliance when needed

Experience creating and leading category strategy

5+ years of applying general procurement value stream best practices

5+ years of driving continuous improvements with suppliers and their key performance indicators (KPIs)

5+ years in applying effective category management and financial acumen skills to influence positive company results

Experience in large-scale sourcing activities (RFPs) to realign suppliers in the category

Demonstrated verbal and written communication skills, change management capabilities, business acumen, project management and leadership ability

Extensive experience negotiating agreements and managing complex vendor / client relationships

What to Expect as Part of MassMutual and the Procurement Team:

The desire to drive change and improvement in the procurement function supporting our mission to be a leading procurement organization

Focused one-on-one meetings with your manager

Access to mentorship opportunities

Networking opportunities including access to Asian, Hispanic/Latinx, African American, women, LGBTQ, veteran and disability-focused Business Resource Groups

Access to learning content on Degreed and other informational platforms

Your ethics and integrity will be valued by a company with a strong and stable ethical business with industry leading pay and benefits

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Salary Range:

$113,100.00-$148,400.00

At MassMutual, we focus on ensuring fair equitable pay, by providing competitive salaries, along with incentive and bonus opportunities for all employees.Your total compensation package includes either a bonus target or in a sales-focused role a Variable Incentive Compensation component.

Why Join Us.

We’ve been around since 1851. During our history, we’ve learned a few things about making sure our customers are our top priority. In order to meet and exceed their expectations, we must have the best people providing the best thinking, products and services. To accomplish this, we celebrate an inclusive, vibrant and diverse culture that encourages growth, openness and opportunities for everyone. A career with MassMutual means you will be part of a strong, stable and ethical business with industry leading pay and benefits. And your voice will always be heard.

We help people secure their future and protect the ones they love. As a company owned by our policyowners, we are defined by mutuality and our vision to put customers first. It’s more than our company structure – it’s our way of life. We are a company of people protecting people. Our company exists because people are willing to share risk and resources, and rely on each other when it counts. At MassMutual, we Live Mutual.

MassMutual is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer Minority/Female/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity/Individual with Disability/Protected Veteran. We welcome all persons to apply. Note: Veterans are welcome to apply, regardless of their discharge status.

If you need an accommodation to complete the application process, please contact us and share the specifics of the assistance you need.

At MassMutual, we focus on ensuring fair, equitable pay by providing competitive salaries, along with incentive and bonus opportunities for all employees. Your total compensation package includes either a bonus target or in a sales-focused role a Variable Incentive Compensation component.For more information about our extensive benefits offerings please check out our Total Rewards at a Glance.

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