Sr. Category Manager - Clinical Preference

When you're the best, we're the best. We instill an environment where employees feel engaged, satisfied and able to contribute their unique skills and talents while living and working as their authentic selves. We provide extensive opportunities for personal and professional development, building both employee competence and organizational capability to fuel exceptional performance through an inclusive environment both now and in the future.

Summary:

In this role, you will serve as a category expert for an assigned clinical preference portfolio, leading the development and execution of contracting strategies that help clients elevate supply cost performance and achieve operational efficiency. You will manage a moderate to high complexity portfolio by developing market-informed negotiation strategies, partnering with internal teams and suppliers, and translating industry trends into actionable insights. You will collaborate closely with clients, suppliers, and cross-functional stakeholders to deliver high-quality, competitive agreements that drive value, engagement, and long-term portfolio performance.

Responsibilities:

• Serve as a category expert for assigned clinical preference products and services.

• Manage a competitive contract portfolio by developing and executing category and negotiation strategies.

• Develop and manage moderate to high complexity portfolios with consideration for visibility, utilization, and legal factors.

• Provide category expertise to clients, suppliers, Vizient field teams, advisory solutions, legal, finance, and other stakeholders.

• Develop RFP strategies and negotiate in partnership with Contract Managers to deliver value across spend categories.

• Formulate category strategies using financial analysis, market research, and healthcare industry trend monitoring.

• Partner with cross-functional teams to ensure alignment with client needs and market competitiveness across Vizient offerings.

• Lead periodic business reviews and strategic planning meetings with suppliers and manage ongoing supplier relationships.

• Communicate industry trends, portfolio insights, and contract enhancements to internal and external stakeholders.

• Prepare budgets, forecasts, and revenue plans to measure contract performance against category objectives.

Qualifications:

• Relevant degree preferred.

• 5 or more years of relevant experience required.

• Demonstrated experience managing moderate to high complexity contracting or category portfolios.

• Strong negotiation, financial analysis, and strategic planning skills.

• Ability to synthesize market intelligence and healthcare industry trends into actionable insights.

• Proven ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams and external partners.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

• Experience developing and managing supplier relationships in a matrixed environment.

• Willingness to travel.

Estimated Hiring Range:

This position is also incentive eligible.

Vizient has a comprehensive benefits plan! Please view our benefits here:

http://www.vizientinc.com/about-us/careers

Equal Opportunity Employer: Females/Minorities/Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

The Company is committed to equal employment opportunity to all employees and applicants without regard to race, religion, color, gender identity, ethnicity, age, national origin, sexual orientation, disability status, veteran status or any other category protected by applicable law.