Job Summary The Director, Strategic Sourcing is responsible for the enterprise Strategic Sourcing function across all categories of vendor spend, including direct spend (supplemental benefits, care management, utilization management, etc.), indirect spend (operations, marketing, facilities, etc.) and IT (hardware, software, telecom, etc.). Essential Functions

• Oversee function operations through proactive monitoring of contract volumes, contract turnaround times, process adherence, and value delivered, and actively identify and deploy initiatives to improve operations of the function.
• Oversee the vendor contract portfolio, ensuring timely action against expiring contracts, strategic planning and engagement with business owners, and identification of targets for vendor savings and/or consolidation.
• Deliver value to the enterprise by leveraging benchmarking, negotiations, and category management to deliver savings, increased vendor accountability, vendor consolidation, or other outcomes.
• Drive Strategic Sourcing strategy via a comprehensive category management model to ensure alignment with organizational goals and objectives.
• Conduct and lead category councils with key business owners to strategize on obtaining competitive pricing, securing favorable contract terms, and fostering robust vendor partnerships within similar vendor/contract categories.
• Standardize and enhance the function’s processes including due diligence and vendor selection processes to ensure selection of high-potential vendors that align with business needs.
• Enhance and increase utilization of RFx processes, including Requests for Proposal (RFP), to evaluate vendors based on strategic criteria and capabilities.
• Manage and streamline the contracting process across a diverse and extensive vendor base, engaging in agreements such as delegated services agreements, master services agreements, business associate agreements, and more, to ensure best practices, risk mitigation, and strategic alignment.
• Proactively engage with other departments, including third party risk, vendor risk, legal, compliance, and finance, to ensure comprehensive involvement and alignment in the contracting process.
• Facilitate the state approval process for contracts, ensuring timely approval of addendum's, cover sheets, vendor briefs to support both new and existing markets, along with adapting to regulatory requirements.
• Perform any other job related duties as requested. Education and Experience
• Bachelor's degree required
• Master's degree preferred
• Equivalent years of relevant work experience may be accepted in lieu of required education
• Seven (7) years of experience within Sourcing or Procurement in a highly regulated industry required
• Five (5) years management/leadership experience required
• Experience in a HMO or managed care environment preferred
• Experience deploying AI solutions to enhance processes preferred
• Experience delivering tangible results, e.g. savings, through the Sourcing process preferred
• Experience optimizing Sourcing process flows through process redesign, automation, artificial intelligence preferred Competencies, Knowledge and Skills
• Advanced proficiency level with Microsoft Office including Outlook, Word, Excel and PowerPoint Business related software systems expertise
• Knowledge in Medicaid/Medicare Programs and CMS, NCQA regulations
• Solid understanding of managed care, vendor agreements and the delegation process
• Strong organizational skills, detail oriented, and sound decision-making skills required; exceptional follow-through abilities to track all outstanding tasks and coordinate with assigned owners to ensure tasks are completed timely
• Working knowledge of health plan functions including operations, marketing/sales, compliance, information systems, data analysis and clinical
• Excellent writing and communication skills; able to translate technical concepts into layperson’s terms and interface with upper-level management including Legal Counsel and Corporate Compliance
• Ability to interact with all levels of leadership, influence change in corporate understanding and adoption of vendor management concepts, and lead cross-functional teams and initiatives
• Analytical with the ability to handle responsibilities that are complex and distill and manage data to achieve desired outcomes
• Experience preparing presentations and speaking before individuals and groups, vendors, regulatory agencies, community leaders and upper management who may pose challenging or difficult questions Licensure and Certification
• Certified Professional in Supply Chain Management (CPSM); Certified Supply Chain Professional (CSCP); or o