Senior Category Manager IT Services, Category Management

Senior Category Manager IT Services, Category Management – (250004CR)

Description

About the Operational Services Division (OSD)

The Operational Services Division (OSD) is an oversight agency of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts within the Executive Office for Administration and Finance. OSD’s primary focus is to help our government buyers and business customers succeed in meeting their goals by providing outstanding customer service, competent advice and guidance, and high-quality products and services that exceed the expectations of those we serve.

Join our Dynamic Team

OSD’s diverse team of 150+ professionals is transforming the way government operates. Our hybrid work environment fosters creativity and collaboration, allowing us to deliver cutting-edge solutions in Category Management, Print and Mail, Surplus Property, and more. Join us and make a lasting impact.

The Category Management unit is a forward-thinking, innovative team of procurement professionals responsible for the development and oversight of statewide contracts that generate $2.2 billion in annual spend. Through effective category management, stakeholder engagement, and data-driven analysis, our unit delivers procurement solutions that meet the evolving needs of public buyers and incorporate positive climate change and supplier diversity into the procurement process.

Be part of a forward-thinking and innovative Category Management team, focused on delivering high value to our customers that exceeds their expectations. Using your strong management, communication, analytical, vendor relationship management and IT Software & Services, Hardware and Telecommunications category portfolio management talent in this role, you will drive year-over-year growth across multiple portfolios.

Working closely with the Director of Category Management and other senior staff, you will lead a team of IT Software & Services, Hardware and Telecommunications category managers to grow their portfolio and increase spend under management. Through your team, you will work with our buying and vending customers to incorporate key government initiatives such as positive climate change into the appropriate portfolios. You will be pivotal in leading the development of innovative sourcing, procurement and vendor management strategies, processes and approaches to create contracts that deliver the best value and meet our customers’ needs.

You will foster a positive, innovative, and purpose-driven culture that can effectively manage ambiguity and uncertainty to remain focused on achieving desired sourcing outcomes.

Are you ready to drive innovation, promote collaboration, and shape the future of the IT Software & Services, Hardware and Telecommunications category portfolios at OSD? We want to hear from you… Apply now and be part of our mission to deliver the best value and excellence in procurement services for our customers and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts

Key Responsibilities:

Leadership and Team Management:

• Lead, mentor, and develop a team of IT category managers.
• Set performance goals and conduct regular evaluations.
• Foster an innovative, collaborative and high-performance work environment.

Strategic Planning:

• Develop and implement long-term strategies for IT Software & Services, Hardware and Telecommunications categories.
• Analyze market trends and consumer insights to identify opportunities and risks.
• Collaborate with senior management to align category strategies with overall agency goals.
• Anticipate future customer needs and provide products and services that meet those needs before and during actual purchase.

Category Management:

• Oversee the pricing, promotion, and portfolio offerings for IT Software & Services, Hardware and Telecommunications categories.
• Ensure optimal product and service availability to meet customer needs.
• Develop exit strategies for underperforming offerings to customers.
• Ensure categories are kept current with the changing IT landscape
• Ensure alignment with industry trends and market standards.

Vendor and Stakeholder Relations. Provide leadership to category managers to:

• Build and maintain strong relationships with vendors and industry stakeholders within each portfolio.
• Negotiate contracts and terms to achieve the best value.
• Coordinate with marketing, sales, and supply chain teams to ensure category success and growth.

Performance Monitoring:

• Track and analyze category performance metrics.
• Implement corrective actions to address any performance issues.
• Prepare and present regular performance reports to senior management.
• Lead the development and implementation of category management teams that consistently exceed annual category goals and objectives.

Value Creation:

• Manage the revenue goals of the category to be in line with overall OSD revenue targets
• Increase spend under management (addressable spend) within the category to be in line with OSD’s SUM targets

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Information Technology, Business, or a related field.
• Strong understanding of information technology hardware, telecommunications and IT Services industries
• Proven experience in category management or a similar role.
• Strong leadership and team management skills.
• Excellent analytical and strategic planning abilities.
• Effective communication and negotiation skills.
• Proficiency in data analysis and market research tools.
• The ability to manage multiple projects and tasks within defined timelines.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office 365 tools, particularly Teams, Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.

Preferred Skills:

• Knowledge of supply chain and inventory management.
• Familiarity with marketing and sales principles.
• Public Procurement Experience.

The Operational Services Division values staff diversity and contributions to an inclusive working and learning environment.

DEI Value Statement

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion are integral to the Operational Services Division’s (OSD’s) mandate to oversee transparent and equitable practices through a variety of public services and programs within the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. OSD commits to cultivating and nurturing a diverse workforce, which is reflective of the communities we serve and recognized as our greatest strength. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion are our core principles, guiding us in who we aspire to be in our business operations and partnerships.

Qualifications

MINIMUM ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS:

Applicants must have at least (A) five (5) years of full-time or, equivalent part-time, professional, administrative, supervisory, or managerial experience in business administration, business management, public administration, public management, clinical administration or clinical management of which (B) at least one (1) year must have been in a project management, supervisory or managerial capacity or (C) any equivalent combination of the required experience and substitutions below.

Substitutions:

I. A certificate in a relevant or related field may be substituted for one (1) year of the required (A) experience.

II. A Bachelor’s degree in a related field may be substituted for two (2) years of the required (A) experience.

III. A Graduate degree in a related field may be substituted for three (3) years of the required (A) experience.

IV. A Doctorate degree in a related field may be substituted for four (4) years of the required (A) experience.

Comprehensive Benefits

When you embark on a career with the Commonwealth, you are offered an outstanding suite of employee benefits that add to the overall value of your compensation package. We take pride in providing a work experience that supports you, your loved ones, and your future.

Want the specifics? Explore our Employee Benefits and Rewards!

An Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer. Females, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.

The Commonwealth is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, national origin, veteran status, or any other basis covered by appropriate law. Research suggests that qualified women, Black, Indigenous, and Persons of Color (BIPOC) may self-select out of opportunities if they don’t meet 100% of the job requirements. We encourage individuals who believe they have the skills necessary to thrive to apply for this role.

Official Title: Administrator VIII

Primary Location

: United States-Massachusetts-Boston-1 Ashburton Place

Job

: Accounting and Finance

Agency

: Operational Services Division

Schedule

: Full-time

Shift

: Day

Job Posting

: May 6, 2025, 6:29:00 PM

Number of Openings

: 1

Salary

: 107,000.00 – 130,000.00 Yearly

If you have Diversity, Affirmative Action or Equal Employment Opportunity questions or need a Reasonable Accommodation, please contact Diversity Officer / ADA Coordinator: Ashley Pierce – 6177203300

Bargaining Unit: M99-Managers (EXE)

Confidential: No

Potentially Eligible for a Hybrid Work Schedule: Yes

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