[Hiring] Manager, Category Strategy & Sourcing @Advocate Health

Role Description

• Develops and executes category strategies using spend analysis, market intelligence, and risk assessments to optimize cost, quality, and service.
• Serves as subject matter expert for assigned categories, driving standardization, supplier performance, innovation, and value creation.
• Leads and coaches a team of sourcing professionals, building technical expertise, leadership capability, and business acumen.
• Manages end to end sourcing processes, including supplier identification, negotiations, contracting, and policy compliant execution.
• Drives cost optimization initiatives through utilization analysis, pricing strategies, standardization, and value-based purchasing.
• Builds and maintains strong stakeholder relationships with clinical, operational, financial leaders, and key suppliers to align sourcing decisions.
• Supports supplier relationship and performance management, including evaluations, issue resolution, and continuous improvement efforts.
• Uses data and analytics to track performance, prepare reports, and communicate sourcing outcomes, risks, and recommendations to leadership.
• Identifies and mitigates sourcing risks, supporting resiliency planning, regulatory compliance, and contingency strategies.
• Executes multi-year category plans and budgets, ensuring sourcing activities align with enterprise goals, quality standards, and ethical requirements.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree required; 5 years of direct relevant work experience in healthcare supply chain will be considered in lieu of a degree.
• Requires a minimum of 5 years of experience in sourcing, contracting, procurement, materials management, logistics, and finance in a healthcare setting. Non-healthcare industry experience will be considered in lieu of direct healthcare experience.

Requirements

• Mastery of sourcing tactics with knowledge in system-wide sourcing and purchasing strategies, processes, and programs which support a service focused, cost effective, and centralized model.
• Demonstrated successful contract negotiation skills and ability to establish and administer complex contracts for products and services.
• Sound knowledge of inventory management and related accounting processes.
• Interchange and internet-based procurement transaction processes knowledge with exposure to broader issues such as Continuous Replenishment Processes or Vendor Managed Inventories.
• Skills developing strategic and tactical plans to meet business objectives in a large healthcare system.
• Knowledge of contract law and related legal and financial policies.
• Excellent communication skills necessary to communicate effectively with senior administrators, department leaders, physicians, vendors, and clinical staff to support Advocate Health’s acquisition goals.
• Knowledge of healthcare accreditation standards (i.e. DNV, JCAHO), Occupational Safety and Health Administration, and National Fire Protection Organization requirements.
• Excellent analytical, quantitative and qualitative skills. Ability to identify and solve problems creatively, to work within deadlines with a high attention to detail and to work independently in a fast paced, dynamic environment.
• Experience in working with and implementing large-scale automated systems.

Benefits

• Base compensation listed within the listed pay range based on factors such as qualifications, skills, relevant experience, and/or training.
• Premium pay such as shift, on call, and more based on a teammate's job.
• Incentive pay for select positions.
• Opportunity for annual increases based on performance.
• Paid Time Off programs.
• Health and welfare benefits such as medical, dental, vision, life, and Short- and Long-Term Disability.
• Flexible Spending Accounts for eligible health care and dependent care expenses.
• Family benefits such as adoption assistance and paid parental leave.
• Defined contribution retirement plans with employer match and other financial wellness programs.
• Educational Assistance Program.