Strategic Sourcing Category Manager

Houston Methodist•Houston, TX

About The Position

FLSA STATUS Exempt QUALIFICATIONS EDUCATION Bachelor’s degree in supply chain, Business, or related field EXPERIENCE Seven years in strategic sourcing or supply chain management, preferably in a healthcare setting, OR five years’ experience in specific category management Familiarity with ERP and contract management systems LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS Preferred CPCM - Certified Professional Contract Manager (NCMA) KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES Demonstrates the skills and competencies necessary to safely perform the assigned job, determined through ongoing skills, competency assessments, and performance evaluations Sufficient proficiency in speaking, reading, and writing the English language necessary to perform the essential functions of this job, especially with regard to activities impacting patient or employee safety or security Ability to effectively communicate with patients, physicians, family members and co-workers in a manner consistent with a customer service focus and application of positive language principles Deep understanding of healthcare supply chain operations, GPO contracts, and vendor management. Experience writing and generating RFPs and RFQs to suppliers Familiarity with contract structures, pricing models (e.g., capitated, tiered, bundled), and reimbursement implications. Strong organizational, risk management, and negotiation skills Understanding of healthcare regulations and compliance requirements (e.g., Stark, Anti-Kickback, HIPAA as applicable) Strong negotiation and vendor relationship management skills Skilled in cross-functional collaboration and stakeholder engagement, including clinicians, legal, finance, and operations Proficient in data analysis, financial modeling, and interpreting spend reports Ability to think strategically while managing tactical execution Ability to influence without direct authority and drive consensus across diverse stakeholders Ability to present complex sourcing strategies and financial impacts clearly to executive leadership Ability to lead and mentor junior team members, including contract administrators or analysts ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS PEOPLE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS Provides guidance to Contract Administrators, ensuring quality and timely contract review, issue escalation, and policy adherence. Builds and maintains effective relationships with internal stakeholders and suppliers to ensure alignment, clear communication, and efficient execution of sourcing initiatives. SERVICE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS Communicates sourcing strategies, contract performance, and cost-saving initiatives to senior leadership and key stakeholders. Ensures sourcing plans are aligned with clinical and operational needs while driving compliance with preferred contracts and utilization thresholds. QUALITY/SAFETY ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS Designs and executes category-specific sourcing strategies focused on cost reduction, quality improvement, and patient/staff safety. Monitors supplier performance, contract compliance, KPIs, and renewal timelines to ensure uninterrupted service and alignment with expectations. Partners with legal and compliance teams to ensure contracts meet regulatory and internal standards, including HIPAA, Stark, and Anti-Kickback regulations. FINANCE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS Utilizes resources with cost-effectiveness and value creation in mind while independently managing time and prioritizing tasks. Conducts total cost of ownership (TCO) evaluations to support value-based sourcing and procurement decisions. Collaborates with Finance to track and report key performance metrics, including savings realized, rebate capture, and contract leakage. Leads and supports savings initiatives that drive cost reduction, process efficiency, and long-term financial sustainability. GROWTH/INNOVATION ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS Partners with suppliers and internal stakeholders to pilot and implement new technologies or service models that drive quality and efficiency. Continuously monitors industry trends, emerging suppliers, and market disruptors to inform sourcing strategy and innovation, while proactively sourcing solutions that support service line growth and strategic expansion aligned with organizational development goals. Seeks opportunities to identify self-development needs and takes appropriate action. Ensures own career discussions occur with appropriate management. Completes and updates the My Development Plan on an ongoing basis. SUPPLEMENTAL REQUIREMENTS WORK ATTIRE Uniform: No Scrubs: No Business professional: Yes Other (department approved): No ON-CALL Note that employees may be required to be on-call during emergencies (ie. Disaster, Severe Weather Events, etc) regardless of selection below. On Call Yes TRAVEL Travel specifications may vary by department May require travel within the Houston Metropolitan area Yes May require travel outside Houston Metropolitan area Yes

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in supply chain, Business, or related field
Seven years in strategic sourcing or supply chain management, preferably in a healthcare setting, OR five years’ experience in specific category management
Familiarity with ERP and contract management systems
Demonstrates the skills and competencies necessary to safely perform the assigned job, determined through ongoing skills, competency assessments, and performance evaluations
Sufficient proficiency in speaking, reading, and writing the English language necessary to perform the essential functions of this job, especially with regard to activities impacting patient or employee safety or security
Ability to effectively communicate with patients, physicians, family members and co-workers in a manner consistent with a customer service focus and application of positive language principles
Deep understanding of healthcare supply chain operations, GPO contracts, and vendor management. Experience writing and generating RFPs and RFQs to suppliers
Familiarity with contract structures, pricing models (e.g., capitated, tiered, bundled), and reimbursement implications.
Strong organizational, risk management, and negotiation skills
Understanding of healthcare regulations and compliance requirements (e.g., Stark, Anti-Kickback, HIPAA as applicable)
Strong negotiation and vendor relationship management skills
Skilled in cross-functional collaboration and stakeholder engagement, including clinicians, legal, finance, and operations
Proficient in data analysis, financial modeling, and interpreting spend reports
Ability to think strategically while managing tactical execution
Ability to influence without direct authority and drive consensus across diverse stakeholders
Ability to present complex sourcing strategies and financial impacts clearly to executive leadership
Ability to lead and mentor junior team members, including contract administrators or analysts

Nice To Haves

CPCM - Certified Professional Contract Manager (NCMA)

Responsibilities

Provides guidance to Contract Administrators, ensuring quality and timely contract review, issue escalation, and policy adherence.
Builds and maintains effective relationships with internal stakeholders and suppliers to ensure alignment, clear communication, and efficient execution of sourcing initiatives.
Communicates sourcing strategies, contract performance, and cost-saving initiatives to senior leadership and key stakeholders.
Ensures sourcing plans are aligned with clinical and operational needs while driving compliance with preferred contracts and utilization thresholds.
Designs and executes category-specific sourcing strategies focused on cost reduction, quality improvement, and patient/staff safety.
Monitors supplier performance, contract compliance, KPIs, and renewal timelines to ensure uninterrupted service and alignment with expectations.
Partners with legal and compliance teams to ensure contracts meet regulatory and internal standards, including HIPAA, Stark, and Anti-Kickback regulations.
Utilizes resources with cost-effectiveness and value creation in mind while independently managing time and prioritizing tasks.
Conducts total cost of ownership (TCO) evaluations to support value-based sourcing and procurement decisions.
Collaborates with Finance to track and report key performance metrics, including savings realized, rebate capture, and contract leakage.
Leads and supports savings initiatives that drive cost reduction, process efficiency, and long-term financial sustainability.
Partners with suppliers and internal stakeholders to pilot and implement new technologies or service models that drive quality and efficiency.
Continuously monitors industry trends, emerging suppliers, and market disruptors to inform sourcing strategy and innovation, while proactively sourcing solutions that support service line growth and strategic expansion aligned with organizational development goals.
Seeks opportunities to identify self-development needs and takes appropriate action.
Ensures own career discussions occur with appropriate management.
Completes and updates the My Development Plan on an ongoing basis.