Senior Category Manager - Software

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 The IT Procurement team collaborates closely with the IT organization to drive strategic alignment across categorized spend; focusing on segmenting spend to guide the overall strategy, supported by our sourcing process. The IT Procurement team works closely with the business (IT and non-IT) across the enterprise to optimize the Humana’s bottom line (hard savings, contractual entitlements and restrictions, expiring contracts, software assessments, consolidating the IT supply base, alongside run-the-business initiatives).

As the IT Procurement Lead (Senior Category Manager), you will lead the development of category strategies, design sourcing plans, oversee negotiations, implement contracts, and drive successful supplier relationships. This leader is also responsible for ensuring strong alignment with, and becoming a trusted advisor to, key functional leaders and business partners. This leader will also partner with business and sourcing leadership in Humana’s business segments to drive enterprise-wide value. The IT Procurement Lead contributes to optimizing software investments, reducing costs, and enhancing the overall efficiency of IT operations within the organization.

In this role, the IT Procurement Lead investigates available software products; evaluates and recommends products based on user requirements. Coordinates with the procurement function to interview, select and negotiate with software vendors to purchase the appropriate goods and/or services at the lowest cost. Reviews licenses and/or contracts to ensure that hardware and software equipment is covered by the contract and properly documented. Advises executives to develop functional strategies (often segment specific) on matters of significance. Exercises independent judgment and decision making on complex issues regarding job duties and related tasks and works under minimal supervision. Uses independent judgment requiring analysis of variable factors and determining the best course of action.

• Influencing and developing peers within technology procurement team.

• Lead the development of complex category strategies based on sourcing profession best practices, including supply market analyses, Porter’s Five Forces, should-cost models, process and domain expertise.

• Identifying and selecting software vendors that align with the organization's goals and needs, negotiating contracts, and ensuring favorable terms.

• Analyzing software spending, identifying cost-saving opportunities, and ensuring that the organization gets the best value for its software investments.

• Develop risk- and probability-adjusted multi-year savings forecasts and annual savings goals.

• Leverage internal and external resources, as part of the operating model, to deliver results in the most effective and efficient way.

• Oversee analysis of qualitative and quantitative supplier characteristics, including supplier capabilities, supplier goals and objectives, risk profile, and supplier's financial position for requisite categories.

• Staying informed about industry trends, emerging technologies, and competitor offerings to make informed decisions about software acquisitions.

• Working closely with various departments (such as IT, finance, and legal) to understand their software needs and ensure that procurement aligns with organizational strategies.

• Develop multi-year sourcing pipelines that drive total value, including cost savings and supplier innovation for Humana.

• Work collaboratively with the Center for Excellence for multi-business unit project implementations.

• Drive corporate compliance to the preferred-supplier program via end-user change management and communications programs.

• Work closely with Procurement Operations and Corporate Payables to ensure a seamless end-to-end experience for associates.

• Develop and implement leading sourcing practices for environmental sustainability and DEI.

• Overseeing the entire lifecycle of software products, from acquisition to retirement, including managing renewals and updates.

• Ensuring that software purchases comply with regulatory requirements and organizational policies, and assessing any potential risks associated with software usage.

Use your skills to make an impact
 

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree preferably in a business or technical discipline and/or equivalent work experience.

• 8 or more years of experience in Procurement of IT systems and/or software.

• Indirect Procurement experience identifying potential ‘best fit’ vendors for internal partner needs.

• Experience developing strategy, negotiating contracts and managing vendor relationships.

• Knowledgeable in project management methodologies, tools, understanding of IT products and services, including software, hardware, and cloud solutions.

• Business analysis skills to drive and implement sourcing programs and services aligned with business partners strategies.

• Strong financial and business acumen (understanding/ability to communicate ‘revenue recognition’, SLA’s, to external partners).

• Effectiveness in working collaboratively with cross-functional teams.

• Outstanding communication (oral and written) and interpersonal skills, including assertiveness, courage, and the ability to influence others.

• Excellent relationship management skills, demonstrating mature confidence and integrity.

• Demonstrated ability to work autonomously, both as a lead and as a part of a team.

• Ability to work in a team environment to collate and act upon feedback from all levels within the business and sourcing environments.

• Be able to assimilate, analyze, draw conclusions, and make recommendations from multi-faceted and often ambiguous data.

• Flexible and willing to learn new skill sets quickly as the need arises.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s Degree or equivalent.

• PMP certification.

• Professional certifications such as Certified Purchasing Professional (CPP), Certified Supply Chain Professional (CSCP), or Certified Procurement Professional (CPP).

• Experience with e-procurement and contract lifecycle management systems such as Coupa Sourcing, Icertis, SFDC Lightning CRM.

• Experience working in healthcare and /or another highly regulated industry.

Additional Information

Work-At-Home Requirements:

To ensure Home or Hybrid Home/Office associates’ ability to work effectively, the self-provided internet service of Home or Hybrid Home/Office associates must meet the following criteria:

• At minimum, a download speed of 25 Mbps and an upload speed of 10 Mbps is recommended; wireless, wired cable or DSL connection is suggested.

• Satellite, cellular and microwave connection can be used only if approved by leadership.

• Associates who live and work from Home in the state of California, Illinois, Montana, or South Dakota will be provided a bi-weekly payment for their internet expense.

• Humana will provide Home or Hybrid Home/Office associates with telephone equipment appropriate to meet the business requirements for their position/job.

• Work from a dedicated space lacking ongoing interruptions to protect member PHI / HIPAA information.

Interview Format:

As part of our hiring process for this opportunity, we will be using an exciting interviewing technology called HireVue to enhance our hiring and decision-making ability. HireVue allows us to quickly connect and gain valuable information for you pertaining to your relevant skills and experience at a time that is best for your schedule.

If you are selected for a first-round interview, you will receive an email correspondence inviting you to participate in a HireVue interview.  In this interview, you will receive a set of interview questions over your phone, and you will provide recorded or text message responses to each question. You should anticipate this interview to take about 15 minutes. Your recorded interview will be reviewed, and you will subsequently be informed if you will be moving forward to next round of interviews.

Travel: While this is a remote position, occasional travel to Humana's offices for training or meetings may be required.

Scheduled Weekly Hours

40

Pay Range

The compensation range below reflects a good faith estimate of starting base pay for full time (40 hours per week) employment at the time of posting. The pay range may be higher or lower based on geographic location and individual pay will vary based on demonstrated job related skills, knowledge, experience, education, certifications, etc.

$104,000 - $143,000 per year

This job is eligible for a bonus incentive plan. This incentive opportunity is based upon company and/or individual performance.

Description of Benefits

Humana, Inc. and its affiliated subsidiaries (collectively, “Humana”) offers competitive benefits that support whole-person well-being. Associate benefits are designed to encourage personal wellness and smart healthcare decisions for you and your family while also knowing your life extends outside of work. Among our benefits, Humana provides medical, dental and vision benefits, 401(k) retirement savings plan, time off (including paid time off, company and personal holidays, volunteer time off, paid parental and caregiver leave), short-term and long-term disability, life insurance and many other opportunities.

Application Deadline: 04-21-2025
About us
 Humana Inc. (NYSE: HUM) is committed to putting health first – for our teammates, our customers and our company. Through our Humana insurance services and CenterWell healthcare services, we make it easier for the millions of people we serve to achieve their best health – delivering the care and service they need, when they need it. These efforts are leading to a better quality of life for people with Medicare, Medicaid, families, individuals, military service personnel, and communities at large.

Equal Opportunity Employer

It is the policy of Humana not to discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, marital status, genetic information, disability or veteran status. It is also the policy of Humana to take affirmative action to employ and to advance in employment, all persons regardless of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, marital status, genetic information, disability or protected veteran status, and to base all employment decisions only on valid job requirements. This policy shall apply to all employment actions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, upgrading, promotion, transfer, demotion, layoff, recall, termination, rates of pay or other forms of compensation and selection for training, including apprenticeship, at all levels of employment.