Category Manager

Leads strategic sourcing activities of indirect spend categories with the goal of achieving significant initial and ongoing cost reductions, business and legal risk mitigation related to supplier agreements, supplanted with year-over-year improvement in the total cost of ownership of services procured.
Develops and executes sourcing strategy, develops requests for solicitations from suppliers, facilitates creation of criteria for supplier selection, develops and executes negotiation strategies while often leading negotiation discussions. Drafts contracts with some support from law and stakeholder areas, creates purchase order requests and develops and executes supplier relationship management activities. Creates and retains critical records and summary information related to transactions in established repositories. This job may be responsible for a specific spend category such as Travel, Technology or Professional Services, leasing activities, etc. or may provide broad support to a business function or group business functions within Thrivent. Role has a strong service orientation in support of internal clients and a strong protection role in mitigating risks assumed by Thrivent Financial as a result of utilizing goods and services from third party suppliers.

Job Duties and Responsibilities

• Leads the strategic sourcing process including defining sourcing strategy, developing requests for solicitation from vendors, negotiating contracts, drafting contract language and facilitating post contract vendor relationship management in the selection and management of Thrivent's Suppliers
• Develop and maintain technical and business expertise in the assigned spend category(s) or functional area supported
• Responsible for driving ongoing productivity improvements in the spend category
• Responsible for developing, implementing and managing the requisition, purchase order and fulfillment processes within the assigned spend category
• Coach and provide consultation to clients, resolve vendor disputes and drive procurement best practices across all divisions/departments/business units for assigned category
• Responsible for monitoring and managing optimal internal client satisfaction while mitigating risk assumed by the organization
• Uphold internal and external policies, regulations and laws

Required Job Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a business discipline or a technical discipline related to the category or function supported or significant procurement or business job experience required
• Successful, multi-year track record in procurement activities or similar business experience required
• C.P.M. (Certified Purchasing Manager), CPSM (Certified Professional in Supply Management) or other Procurement Professional certification, education, or training required

Other Critical Factors

• Team oriented and client service oriented work style
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills
• Good planning/project management skills
• Strong problems solving and analytical skills - able to construct/execute multiple complex analyses (eg Total cost of ownership, Net Present Value, cost-price analysis)

Pay Transparency

Thrivent’s long-term growth depends on attracting, rewarding, and retaining people who are committed to helping others thrive with purpose. We accomplish this by offering a wide variety of market competitive compensation programs to attract, reward, and retain top talent. The applicable salary or hourly wage range for this full-time role is $88,132.00 - $119,236.00 per year, which factors in various geographic regions. The base pay actually offered will be determined by a variety of factors including, but not limited to, location, relevant experience, skills, and knowledge, business needs, market demand, and other factors Thrivent deems important.

Thrivent is unique in our commitment to helping people to be wise with money and live balanced and generous lives. That extends to our benefits.

The following benefits may be offered: various bonuses (including, for example, annual or long-term incentives); medical, dental, and vision insurance; health savings account; flexible spending account; 401k; pension; life and accidental death and dismemberment insurance; disability insurance; supplemental protection insurance; 20 days of Paid Time Off each year; Sick and Safe Time; 10 paid company holidays; Volunteer Time Off; paid parental leave; EAP; well-being benefits, and other employee benefits. Eligibility for receipt of these benefits is subject to the applicable plan/policy documents. Thrivent’s plans/policies are subject to change at any time at Thrivent’s discretion.

Thrivent provides Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) without regard to race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy, national origin, age, disability, marital status, citizenship status, military or veteran status, genetic information, or any other status protected by applicable local, state, or federal law. This policy applies to all employees and job applicants.

Thrivent is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation, please let us know by sending an email to [email protected] or call 800-847-4836 and request Human Resources.