Category Manager

Title: Category Manager
Job code: 8224PR
Employee Group: Civil Service
Full/Part Time (FTE): Full Time 1.0 FTE
Regular/Temporary: Regular

Please note, this position is not eligible for H-1B or Green Card sponsorship. This position does not offer a STEM OPT training program.

Are you seeking to be part of a sourcing team that supports a world-class public institution committed to its mission, provides a collaborative work environment, and Driven to Discover in what it sets out to accomplish?
The Purchasing Services department at the University of Minnesota seeks a Category Manager motivated to learn and share their talents and experiences with fellow team members. This position will handle the various indirect buying activities of technology and professional services for University departments, following public procurement rules.

This position will offer experiences that tap into the following:
* Your ability to generate ideas and be part of the solution.
* Your advancement of learning and sharing of knowledge in a collaborative way.
* Your desire to be a leader!

Working at that University, we offer:
* An environment where you are empowered to continually learn. The University encourages professional development in this capacity for every level of employment.
* Great benefits to our employees! The University is dedicated to keeping you and your family healthy-physically, emotionally, financially, socially, and professionally. Experience a complete package of rewards that includes not just wages but a full scope of benefits to make sure our faculty and staff remain happy, healthy, and engaged in their work.
* Hybrid work, in the office three days a week.

Location and Work environment: This hybrid position is based on the Twin Cities campus. For those located in the metro area, a minimum of three days per week in the office is expected. Internal and external applicants located near other UMN system campuses and across the State of Minnesota may also be considered, and we encourage all interested candidates to apply. Occasional travel to the Twin Cities campus may be required for events and all-staff meetings. Out of state candidates must be willing to relocate to Minnesota at their own expense.

Primary Responsibilities:
This position oversees the University's purchases in assigned categories by developing strategies and processes for acquisition by both business units and on an overall University-wide basis.

Strategic Sourcing & Analysis - 20%
* Research, initiate, negotiate, and administer University-Wide agreements in assigned categories.
* Use spend analysis to understand category, supplier, and business unit spending in areas of responsibility.
* Manage specific Purchasing Services programs or projects.

Sourcing Execution - 50%
* Oversee competitive bidding (RFx) process for purchases in the assigned categories (technology and professional services).
* Write Requests for Bid (RFB) or Requests for Proposals (RFP).
* Research/locate suppliers.
* Negotiate contracts, and communicate with suppliers.

Contract Management & Compliance - 15%
* Enter University-Wide and department contracts (based on predetermined criteria) into a contract management tool.
* Manage contract deliverables such as contract extensions and key performance indicators (KPIs).
* Manage supplier performance by conducting regular reviews and soliciting internal customer feedback.
* Handle supplier performance issues.

Internal Consulting and Relationship Management - 15%
* Educate and coach internal customers on requirements,, drafting the RFP, and facilitating the evaluation process and supplier selection.
* Provide services to University departments; Interpret and apply policy.
* Provide guidance related to negotiations and contracts not reaching Purchasing thresholds.

Required Qualifications:
* A bachelor's degree in a related field and five years of professional-level purchasing experience that includes three years of managing complex Request for Proposal projects; reviewing and editing contracts and negotiating contracts with suppliers, or a combination of related education and work experience to total nine (9) years.
* Organized and able to handle many duties simultaneously.
* Proficient in the use of Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access), Google Suite, and Adobe Acrobat.

Preferred Qualifications:
* Ability to work with a high volume of information or data.
* Excellent customer service skills in a diverse, decentralized environment.

Purchasing Services is responsible for the entire procure-to-pay lifecycle for the entire University of Minnesota system (Crookston, Duluth, Morris, Rochester, and Twin Cities). This includes establishing institutional purchasing and payables policies and procedures; negotiating University-Wide agreements with suppliers for a variety of goods and services; managing the University's eProcurement tool (U Market) in conjunction with U Market Services; developing or assisting in the tools for purchasing goods and services; ensures compliance with federal and state procurement laws and regulations and with Regents policies; 1099 reporting; accounts payable functions; and assists departments with complex procurement processes (e.g., RFPs, contracts for professional services, etc.). In addition, Purchasing Services administers the University's purchasing card and U Travel programs, competitive bidding, and supplier maintenance.

Purchasing Services uses the following systems:
* eSourcing (Ion Wave Technologies)
* eProcurement (Jaggaer)
* Spend Analytics (Rosslyn)
* University Financial System (PeopleSoft)
* University Travel & Expense System (Chrome River)

Pay Range: $85,000 - $97,000; depending on education/qualifications/experience

Time Appointment: 100% Appointment

Position Type: Civil-Service

Please visit the Office of Human Resources website for more information regarding benefit eligibility.

The University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
• Continuous learning opportunities through professional training and degree-seeking programs supported by the Regents Tuition Benefit Program
• Low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• University HSA contributions
• Disability and employer-paid life insurance
• Employee wellbeing program
• Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) opportunity
• Financial counseling services
• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost
• Employee Transit Pass with free or reduced rates in the Twin Cities metro area

Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions.

You will be given the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a cover letter and resume.

Additional documents may be attached after application by accessing your "My Job Applications" page and uploading documents in the "My Cover Letters and Attachments" section.

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail employ@umn.edu or call (612) 624-8647.

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC)

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC), is among the largest public research universities in the country, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude of opportunities for study and research. Located at the heart of one of the nation's most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities, students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit from extensive partnerships with world-renowned health centers, international corporations, government agencies, and arts, nonprofit, and public service organizations.

At the University of Minnesota, we are proud to be recognized by the Star Tribune as a Top Workplace for 2021, as well as by Forbes as Best Employers for Women and one of America's Best Employers (2015, 2018, 2019, 2023), Best Employer for Diversity (2019, 2020), Best Employer for New Grads (2018, 2019), and Best Employer by State (2019, 2022).