Category Specialist at First Bank

Key Responsibilities
Sourcing Execution:

• Collaborate with Category Manager to determine the scope of the purchases to be put through the procurement processes
• Execute procurement purchases utilizing an end-to-end value chain approach
• Support Category Manager with contract negotiations when required
• Review recommendations from Category Manager and internal business partners to implement new procurement strategies
• Involve Category Manager as necessary (e.g., complex contracts, Vendor performance issues, etc.)
• Sponsor and approve procurement process improvements related to the Category
• Participate in Category Management activities across multiple dimensions, including category strategy, contract implementation, and Vendor relationship improvement programs
• Conduct tactical negotiations (e.g., price, delivery times) with selected Vendors to procure materials / services
• Coordinate opportunities to aggregate spend across BUs/ SRFs/Branches where possible to improve pricing and reduce procurement administrative activities
• Provide overall leadership to spot buy activities to meet established service level agreements

Contract Management:

• Work with Head of Procurement and Category Manager to develop and implement the category communication plans, including sharing new contract agreements and procedures for complying
• Communicate contract terms to impacted stakeholders within the Bank through meetings and other appropriate communication vehicles
• Assess alignment of contract objectives with business needs
• Ensure all contracting is in accordance with internal controls, policies, and procedures

Category Management Implementation:

• Support Category Manager in execution of the category strategy
• Review supply planning documentation to assess on-going category requirements
• Work with the Category Manager to define the sourcing strategy
• Identify relevant external market trends with respect to the industry and/or category (or group of categories)
• Collect, manage, and assess relevant external benchmarks to assess the Bank’s performance against those external benchmarks
• Develop the necessary analyses to support the various category management activities as directed by the Category Manager
• Collect and manage category / Vendor data including spend data segmentation
• Monitor new and existing category developments in a timely manner and determine impact on sourcing requirements to ensure a competitive edge
• Develop impact assessments and analyses based on external benchmarking studies and/or market trends including, but not limited to, future spend opportunities, category risks, and Vendor sustainability
• Develop impact assessments and analyses based on internal market forecasts and internal requirements.
• Develop forward looking predictive analyses based on industry and/or category trends.
• Support the analysis of end-to-end value chain costs for respective category.