Manager, Strategic Sourcing and Procurement
Blue Cross Blue Shield Kansas

Job Info

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Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas is looking to add to our Sourcing, Procurement and Vendor Management team and has an opportunity for a Manager Strategic Sourcing and Procurement. This position will lead the strategic sourcing and procurement function, aiming to drive efficiency and cost savings. This role involves managing a team to analyze expenditures, source strategic partners, and develop policies. The manager provides negotiation guidance to secure cost-effective agreements, collaborates with experts to explore new supplier opportunities, and ensures high standards for quality and compliance. Additionally, the manager partners with business units to manage supplier relationships and contracts, fostering continuous improvement through market research, cost analysis, and forecasting.

"This position is eligible to work hybrid (9 or more days a month onsite) in accordance with our Telecommuting Policy. Applicants must reside in Kansas or Missouri or be willing to relocate as a condition of employment."

Are you ready to make a difference? Choose to work for one of the most trusted companies in Kansas.

Why Join Us?

• Family Comes First: Total rewards package that promotes the idea of family first for all employees; including paid time off and family first leave.
• Professional Growth Opportunities: Advance your career with ongoing training and development programs both through our internal Blue University and external opportunities.
• Dynamic Work Environment: Collaborate with a team of passionate and driven individuals.
• Trust: Work for one of the most trusted companies in Kansas.
• Lead and Inspire: Guide and mentor your team to achieve their full potential and success.

Compensation

$96,800 - $115,000
Exempt Grade 17

• Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas offers excellent competitive compensation with the goal of retaining and growing talented team members. The compensation range for this role is a good faith estimate, it is estimated based on what a successful candidate might be paid. All offers presented to candidates are carefully reviewed to ensure fair, equitable pay by offering competitive wages that align with the individual's skills, education, experience, and training. The range may vary above or below the stated amounts.

What you'll do

• Drive Continuous Improvement Across Teams: Champion a culture of innovation and improvement by identifying opportunities for process optimization, encouraging the implementation of new ideas, and regularly soliciting feedback to enhance team performance and operational efficiency.
• Lead Contract Development and Negotiation Strategy: Set the strategic direction for contract negotiations, ensuring alignment with organizational goals. Oversee the development and negotiation of contracts with suppliers to ensure the best value and lowest total cost.
• Manage Strategic Sourcing Relationships: Develop and maintain strong supplier partnerships and key strategic relationships to achieve cost savings and improve operational effectiveness.
• Establish Budgeting and Forecasting Strategies: Lead the creation of procurement budgets and financial forecasts, ensuring alignment with organizational priorities and cost-saving objectives.
• Evaluate and Enhance Sourcing Procedures: Lead the review of sourcing procedures, assess performance, recommend, and implement improvements to enhance efficiency and cost-effectiveness.
• Align Strategic Sourcing Goals with Organizational Objectives: Lead the development of strategic sourcing goals and ensure the implementation of action plans to meet organizational objectives.
• Provide Leadership in the RFx Process: Oversee the strategic execution of the RFx process, ensuring efficiency and alignment with sourcing goals.
• Drive Cost Optimization Strategies Across the Organization: Lead initiatives to reduce costs and improve the enterprise's cost structure through strategic sourcing decisions and cross-departmental collaboration.
• Promote Early Sourcing Involvement: Work closely with business stakeholders to ensure early and effective involvement in the sourcing lifecycle, ensuring cost optimization and risk mitigation.
• Assess and Address Supplier Risk: Take a proactive role in evaluating and mitigating risks related to suppliers, including identifying potential risks and ensuring vendors comply with relevant regulations and standards.
• Supervise Onboarding and Bidders List Development: Oversee the development of the bidders' list and manage the onboarding process for new suppliers, ensuring compliance with organizational standards.
• Lead Strategic Training Initiatives: Lead the development and execution of training programs to elevate the capabilities of the sourcing and procurement teams, ensuring they remain aligned with best practices and organizational goals.
• Accountable for performance monitoring, policy enforcement, termination process, disciplinary action, hiring, compliance and team development. Maintaining accurate records of all hiring, firing and disciplinary actions.

What you need

• Bachelor's degree in supply chain management, operations management, business, math, statistics or other related field.
• In lieu of degree, minimum of eight (8) years relevant experience and/or education.
• Five (5) to seven (7) years' experience in procurement, vendor management, and/or supply chain management directly involved in strategic sourcing management.
• One to three years' experience in a managerial and/or leadership role.
• Skilled in handling multiple complex projects, prioritizing tasks, and allocating resources to meet deadlines while maintaining quality.
• Experienced in leading cross-functional teams and engaging stakeholders to achieve consensus and successful outcomes. Strong interpersonal skills to influence and motivate.
• Proficient in sourcing, evaluating, and synthesizing information from various sources. Capable of presenting findings clearly and strategically.
• In-depth understanding of regulatory requirements and industry standards for supplier relationship management, ensuring compliance and ethical decision-making.
• Quick to adapt to new technologies and tools, using digital solutions to enhance efficiency and innovation in procurement and sourcing.
• Extensive knowledge of Supplier, Procurement, Vendor, and Management protocols, ensuring compliance and accuracy in procurement activities.
• Strong ability to interpret and negotiate complex contract terms, understanding legal language and its impact on risk and performance.
• Expertise in sourcing and procurement platforms, and familiarity with contract lifecycle management tools for improved efficiency.
• Experience in implementing and managing lean principles in workflows.

Bonus if you have

• Relevant certifications (e.g., Certified Professional in Supplier Diversity, Certified Professional in Supply Management) preferred.
• Preferred experience in project management and process improvement.
• Highly desired experience in IT procurement.

Benefits & Perks

• Base pay is only one component of your competitive Total Rewards package:
  • Incentive pay program (EPIP)
  • Health/Vision/Dental insurance
  • 6 weeks paid parental leave for new mothers and fathers
  • Fertility/Adoption assistance
  • 2 weeks paid caregiver leave
  • 5% 401(k) plan matching
  • Tuition reimbursement
  • Health & fitness benefits, discounts and resources

Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging

At Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas, we are committed to fostering a culture of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB), where mutual respect is at the foundation of our workplace. We provide equal employment opportunities to all individuals, regardless of race, color, religion, belief, sex, pregnancy (including childbirth, lactation, and related medical conditions), national origin, age, physical or mental disability, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information (including characteristics and testing), military or veteran status, family or parental status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

We believe that embracing diversity and authentically promoting inclusion, equity, and belonging among our team members is crucial to our collective success. By intentionally recruiting, developing, and retaining a diverse pool of talent, we cultivate an environment where everyone feels valued, heard, and empowered to contribute. Accommodations are available for applicants with disabilities upon request, ensuring an inclusive and accessible hiring process for all.

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