Category Management Advisor - Professional Services - Remote Eligible

Category Management Advisor

The Category Management Advisor is responsible for procuring consulting and professional services for the Information Technology organization. This role partners with leading technology consulting firms to support multiple lines of business. The advisor manages competitive sourcing processes and guides stakeholders in selecting the most suitable suppliers and solutions to meet business objectives.

Success in this position requires expertise in navigating dynamic requirements aligned with strategic business and IT goals. The advisor must be adept at engaging suppliers and influencing stakeholders across various management levels to achieve optimal outcomes.

Key Responsibilities

• Draft, redline, and negotiate master service agreements (MSAs) and statements of work (SOWs) with robust information protection provisions.
• Negotiate and execute MSAs with technology service providers, ensuring compliance with Cigna's contractual standards to minimize corporate risk.
• Establish and maintain supplier performance measurement and reporting mechanisms.
• Analyze business requirements, supplier relationships, and processes to enhance performance and deliver greater value.
• Recommend sourcing strategies, process improvements, and supplier relationship models for enterprise-wide adoption.
• Evaluate supplier market rates and historical cost trends to negotiate consulting rate cards and role definitions.
• Develop timelines and coordinate cross-functional teams to implement sourcing strategies and initiatives.
• Oversee day-to-day execution of sourcing and contracting processes, leveraging subject matter experts as needed.
• Collaborate with business stakeholders to develop RFPs and supplier evaluation tools.
• Formulate negotiation strategies, including detailed financial analyses to benchmark costs against market standards.
• Lead negotiations in partnership with business teams and Supply Chain Management leadership.
• Monitor and report progress against sourcing objectives and performance metrics.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree strongly preferred, ideally in Business, Supply Chain, Information Technology, or a related field.
• Proficiency with SAP Ariba (or similar source-to-pay and contracting platforms) and Oracle financial systems; experience with Icertis or other contract lifecycle tools is a plus.
• Exceptional communication, facilitation, and leadership skills with the ability to influence and motivate cross-functional teams.
• Strong organizational and time management skills with attention to detail.
• Advanced analytical skills and financial acumen.
• Proven ability to solve complex problems and make sound decisions in dynamic, fast-paced environments.
• Skilled in articulating solutions to senior executives and driving alignment on strategic initiatives.
• Demonstrated ability to apply fact-based negotiation principles and perform total cost analyses to support ROI decisions.
• Expertise in market and industry analysis, including cost structures and strategic implications of industry trends.
• Commitment to enterprise vision, values, and goals.

If you will be working at home occasionally or permanently, the internet connection must be obtained through a cable broadband or fiber optic internet service provider with speeds of at least 10Mbps download/5Mbps upload.

About The Cigna Group: Doing something meaningful starts with a simple decision, a commitment to changing lives. At The Cigna Group, we're dedicated to improving the health and vitality of those we serve. Through our divisions Cigna Healthcare and Evernorth Health Services, we are committed to enhancing the lives of our clients, customers and patients. Join us in driving growth and improving lives.