AD Category Mgmt - FP07BE

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The Hartford is a strong company with a powerful brand and a bright future. The Strategic Sourcing & Real Estate (SSRE) department plays a critical role in The Hartford’s future by operating as a trusted business advisor with deep expertise that advances The Hartford’s business objectives and delivers exceptional customer experiences. SSRE is structured with three category management teams, Professional and Corporate Services, Technology & Outsourcing and Claims, complemented by sourcing delivery teams. We operate as advisors with our customers to positively impact business strategy, while optimizing the way we use third parties to meet enterprise and business unit objectives comprehensively.

OVERVIEW OF THE ROLE:

The Assistant Director, Category Management, Software Category is responsible and accountable for developing, managing and executing the category and sourcing strategy for software for the business segments; Marketing, Digital Experience, and Corporate Business Applications (Finance, HR, Legal, Tax, HIMCO, Sales), managing annual spend of approximately $25M-$75M. This role works closely with business partners / stakeholders and business leaders in assigned departments, requires knowledge and experience of software vendor relationships, and experience building and driving enterprise-wide sourcing strategies. This role is also responsible to develop category best practices, and initiatives that support aggressive improvements in supplier quality, total cost effectiveness, enhanced service levels, improved coordination, delivery, pricing, lead-times, payment, risk compliance and other areas as identified. The Assistant Director of Software Category shall lead competitive assessments and contract negotiations and draft resulting contracts. This role will report to the AVP of Software, on the Technology Management Team.

This role can have a Hybrid work arrangement.  Candidates who live near one of our office locations in Hartford, CT or Morristown, NJ will have the expectation of working in an office 3 days a week (Tuesday through Thursday).    

Responsibilities:

• Serve as a trusted advisor to senior leaders across corporate functions (Marketing, Sales, Legal, HR) during the category management and sourcing process.

• Drive cost reductions within the assigned category by leveraging demand and supply opportunities.

• Implement best practices specific to the category.

• Lead supplier negotiations, optimizing spend and minimizing risk exposure.

• Provide thought leadership, emphasizing business value alongside cost reduction.

• Manage complex negotiations with major vendors, collaborating with legal, risk management, and other stakeholders.

• Enhance sourcing maturity based on industry best practices and organizational changes.

• Utilize procurement technology for end-to-end lifecycle management.

• Foster strategic relationships with category suppliers.

• Evaluate and onboard innovative suppliers.

• Monitor category performance against internal savings goals.

Qualifications:

• Minimum 5 years of experience in category strategy, sourcing, and negotiating software agreements.

• Proven track record in procurement, including category strategy development and contract negotiation.

• Strong analytical skills for long-term problem-solving.

• Experience in market analysis and intelligence gathering.

• Proficiency in negotiation and contracting best practices.

• Excellent relationship management and communication skills.

• Outcome-oriented with a focus on driving results.

• Familiarity with data analytics in sourcing.

• Strategic mindset, adaptability, and creativity.

• Comfortable challenging conventional thinking.

Compensation

The listed annualized base pay range is primarily based on analysis of similar positions in the external market. Actual base pay could vary and may be above or below the listed range based on factors including but not limited to performance, proficiency and demonstration of competencies required for the role. The base pay is just one component of The Hartford’s total compensation package for employees. Other rewards may include short-term or annual bonuses, long-term incentives, and on-the-spot recognition. The annualized base pay range for this role is:

$95,280 - $142,920

Equal Opportunity Employer/Females/Minorities/Veterans/Disability/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity or Expression/Religion/Age

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