Director Category Management, Finance Services

Software Guidance & Assistance, Inc., (SGA), is searching for a Director Category Management, Finance Services for a CONTRACT assignment with one of our premier Insurance Services clients in Hartford, CT or Morristown, NJ .

Seeking an innovative leader for the Financial Services category. As Director, Financial Services Category Manager, you will oversee sourcing for all vendors and projects within this category and advance the firm's strategy.

You will enhance the Sourcing function to maximize vendor value, optimize costs in alignment with the firm's strategy, and mitigate third-party risks. Influencing business stakeholders and strengthening the firm's sourcing strategy with its Financial Services vendors is essential to the role.

Responsibilities :

• Develop and implement comprehensive category and sourcing strategies for the Financial Services category, including Asset and Investment Management Services, by collaborating with partners and understanding business and technical requirements.
• Negotiate and leverage contracts with key Financial Services vendors to drive value across business, product, and technology roadmaps.
  • Contracts include MSAs, SaaS and Platform Agreements, Market data and portfolio valuation services, EULAs, and SOWs.
• Collaborate with business stakeholders, Third Party Risk, FP&A, and Legal to conduct contract analysis, optimize contract value, establish success metrics, and reduce third-party risk.
• Conduct market analysis to understand trends, key suppliers, and potential risks within contracts and the category.
• Benchmark current contracts and identify gaps and opportunities for optimization.
• Act as a trusted advisor to business leaders, aligning third-party contracts, vendor consolidation, and contract renegotiations with the firm's evolving strategy.
• Use data to manage category performance and identify cost-saving opportunities without compromising quality or performance.
• Lead the RFx process through completion, including requirements gathering, respondent identification, scorecards, weighting, successful negotiation, and contracting.
• Establish deep partnerships with strategic partners, aligning Vendors to the firm's strategic vision.
• Influence and maintain strong internal relationships from the Executive level to day-to-day operations.
• Align the firm with growth projections necessary for future success.

Required Skills:

• Bachelor's degree required; advanced degree (JD, Master's degree in procurement/supply chain, business, engineering, or related field) or equivalent experience is a plus.
• Minimum 8 years of experience in strategic sourcing, specifically in the IT and BPO Outsourcing category.
• Proven track record in Procurement with significant experience developing and executing category strategies, reviewing, analyzing, and negotiating contracts.
• Strong strategic and analytical skills with the ability to solve long-term and complex problems.
• Experience in leading market analysis and intelligence gathering across relevant categories to support successful strategy development.
• Extensive negotiation skills and best practices in contracting, including drafting and negotiating contract terms.
• Excellent relationship management skills, including the ability to work collaboratively with senior leadership in Procurement and across multiple Businesses and Corporate Functions.
• Exceptional ability to influence stakeholders and drive groups with divergent opinions toward effective, collaborative decisions.
• Exceptional supplier relationship and contract/conflict management skills.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Outcome-oriented with experience driving results in an environment of change.
• Strong packaging and presentation skills with the ability to analyze and explain pricing models and contract terms.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint is a must; Coupa skills are a plus.
• Experience in IT Delivery and project management is a plus.

SGA is a technology and resource solutions provider driven to stand out. We are a women-owned business. Our mission: to solve big IT problems with a more personal, boutique approach. Each year, we match consultants like you to more than 1,000 engagements. When we say let's work better together, we mean it. You'll join a diverse team built on these core values: customer service, employee development, and quality and integrity in everything we do. Be yourself, love what you do and find your passion at work. Please find us at .

SGA is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of Race, Color, Sex, Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, Religion, National Origin, Disability, Veteran Status, Age, Marital Status, Pregnancy, Genetic Information, or Other Legally Protected Status. We are committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, and our services, programs, and activities. Please visit our company to request an accommodation or assistance regarding our policy.