Mgr Category Management

Horace Mann
Worldwide Remote
RemoteCareer-pivot friendly

Who this role is best for

Geared toward experienced procurement professionals comfortable with strategic vendor negotiations and cross-functional collaboration.

Best fit for

  • Candidates with 8+ years in indirect sourcing and a track record in leading teams
    — “8+ years of experience in indirect sourcing, procurement, or consulting.”
  • Individuals who excel in aligning spend strategies with business goals and TCO
    — “Own category strategies and sourcing roadmaps aligned to business and TCO objectives.”
  • Professionals with strong supplier relationship management and contract negotiation experience
    — “Oversee sourcing initiatives, supplier selection, and complex contract negotiations.”

Things to consider

  • Remote work is expected, but collaboration with internal stakeholders is central to the role
    — “Build strong relationships with internal stakeholders to align on sourcing strategies and business needs.”

How to stand out

  • Highlight your ability to drive cost savings and manage TCO in your sourcing strategies
    — “Establish and monitor performance metrics to deliver cost savings and service improvements.”
  • Demonstrate experience in leading and developing procurement teams through specific examples
    — “Lead and develop Category Specialists and Buyers, including coaching and performance management.”
  • Showcase your expertise in supplier segmentation and risk mitigation in category planning
    — “Drive category planning, including demand management, supplier segmentation, and risk mitigation.”
  • Emphasize your track record in complex contract negotiations and supplier governance
    — “Manage strategic supplier relationships, including performance, governance, and issue resolution.”
  • Demonstrate your ability to monitor market trends and apply them to procurement strategy
    — “Monitor market trends and supplier innovations to inform strategy.”
Pace · SteadyCollaboration · HighAutonomy · HighDecision Impact · Company

Derived from job-description analysis by Serendipath's career intelligence engine.

What success looks like

  • drive cost savings
  • manage strategic supplier relationships
  • execute sourcing strategies
Typical background
indirect sourcingprocurement

Skills & requirements

Required

ProcurementCategory ManagementSourcing StrategiesSupplier PerformanceContract NegotiationsDemand ManagementStakeholder Management

Preferred

Market Trend AnalysisProcurement Data Management

Stack & domain

Procurement And Category Management StrategiesCost SavingsSupplier PerformanceTotal Cost Of Ownership (tco)Sourcing StrategiesComplex Contract NegotiationsCategory PlanningDemand ManagementSupplier SegmentationRisk MitigationPerformance MetricsProcurement Data And ReportingMarket TrendsSupplier InnovationsLeadershipNegotiationStakeholder ManagementProcurementCategory Management

About the role

Original posting from Horace Mann via Greenhouse

Job Title: Manager, Category Management

Location: Remote

Position Summary

Leads procurement and category management strategies for assigned spend areas, driving cost savings, supplier performance, and Total Cost of Ownership (TCO). Partners with internal stakeholders and leads a team to execute sourcing strategies and manage strategic vendor relationships.

Key Responsibilities

Lead and develop Category Specialists and Buyers, including coaching and performance management.

Own category strategies and sourcing roadmaps aligned to business and TCO objectives.

Oversee sourcing initiatives, supplier selection, and complex contract negotiations.

Drive category planning, including demand management, supplier segmentation, and risk mitigation.

Establish and monitor performance metrics to deliver cost savings and service improvements.

Build strong relationships with internal stakeholders to align on sourcing strategies and business needs.

Manage strategic supplier relationships, including performance, governance, and issue resolution.

Ensure accuracy of procurement data and reporting within systems (e.g., Workday).

Monitor market trends and supplier innovations to inform strategy.

Requirements

8+ years of experience in indirect sourcing, procurement, or consulting.

Strong leadership, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills.

Salary Range: $105,200.00 - $147,950.00

Salary is commensurate to experience, location, etc.

Horace Mann was founded in 1945 by two Springfield, Illinois, teachers who saw a need for quality, affordable auto insurance for teachers. Since then, we’ve broadened our mission to helping all educators protect what they have today and prepare for a successful tomorrow.  And with our broadened mission has come corporate growth:  We serve more than 4,100 school districts nationwide, we’re publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange (symbol: HMN) and we have more than $12 billion in assets.

We’re motivated by the fact that educators take care of our children’s future, and we believe they deserve someone to look after theirs.  We help educators identify their financial goals and develop plans to achieve them.  This includes insurance to protect what they have today and financial products to help them prepare for their future. Our tailored offerings include special rates and benefits for educators.

EOE/Minorities/Females/Veterans/Disabled. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status

For applicants that are California residents, please review our California Consumer Privacy Notice

All applicants should review our Horace Mann Privacy Policy

Source: Horace Mann careers (Greenhouse)

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