Procurement Specialist-Category Management

Overview
Voted by Newsweek in 2024 as one of America's Greatest Workplaces for Diversity
Make Lives Better Including Your Own.
If you want to work in an environment where you can become your best possible self, join us! You'll earn more than a paycheck; you can find opportunities to grow your career through professional development, as well as ongoing programs catered to your overall health and wellness.
Full suite of health insurance, life insurance and retirement plans are available and vary by employment status. Additional benefits offered include, but are not limited to:

• Tuition Reimbursement
• Pet Insurance
• Adoption Reimbursement Benefits
• Variety of Associate Discounts

Veterans, transitioning active duty military personnel, and military spouses are encouraged to apply.
Please note, Brookdale is committed to complying with all applicable laws and regulations regarding mandatory COVID-19 vaccination.
To support our associates in their journey to become a U.S. citizen, Brookdale offers to advance fees for naturalization (Form N-400) application costs, up to $725, less applicable taxes and withholding, for qualified associates who have been with us for at least a year.
Responsibilities
The Procurement Category Specialist drives overall category strategy and its execution on a national level. Manage product assortment, monitor market pricing, vendor relationships and reviews to improve the Total Cost of Ownership (TCO). The Procurement Category Specialist executes and maintains supply chain strategies primarily for the delivery of goods and, or services by partnering with the Procurement Category Manager, Strategic Sourcing Procurement Managers and the Internal Stakeholders at Brookdale Senior Living. This person will serve as a critical liaison between Procurement and the organization through partnering closely with all levels of Internal Stakeholders.

1. Develop and manage the small to medium sized national category strategy, goals and objectives through category assessments
2. Assist in establishment of benchmarks for category performance with top industry competitors
3. Collaborate with Operations leads to tailor category management strategies to leverage opportunities, mitigate obstacles and drive performance
4. Establish, maintain and grow relationships with small to medium suppliers and lead efforts to identify market, new product and category opportunities
5. Lead liaison between small to medium Suppliers, Strategic Sourcing Procurement Managers, Accounts Payable, and Operations
6. Manage and maintain relationships of small to medium suppliers leading communications and consistently provide performance feedback and resolve complex issues, including, but not limited to quality concerns, pricing discrepancies and overall performance
7. Drive and leverage supplier's capabilities to reduce Brookdale Senior Living TCO by monitoring and analyzing category performance on a national, regional and division level
8. Define and collaborate with Order Guide Management to execute overall category product assortment, to include the execution of assortment reviews, determining core SKU's, reviewing new supplier items, driving national assortment harmonization, and reducing product duplication, and inventory reduction opportunities across Brookdale communities
9. Identify and report on trends, changes and opportunities and provide suggestions aimed at increasing category performance.
10. Maintain regular reports to track performance and identify impact of variables on category performance against established metrics.
11. Negotiate and contract one off purchases and, or renewals as needed for business continuity
12. Provide detailed analysis and track growth for assigned category, focused on the areas of; product assortment, pricing, promotions, new product introductions, pricing changes etc
13. Manage up to $125 Million spend with categories at various levels of complexity and multiple suppliers

This job description represents an overview of the responsibilities for the above referenced position. It is not intended to represent a comprehensive list of responsibilities. An associate should perform all duties as assigned by his/her supervisor.
Qualifications
Education and Experience
Bachelor's Degree (BA or BS) from four-year College or university preferred. Entry level to four years related experience and training or equivalent combination of education and experience. Proven success sourcing categories, managing categories, and, or supplier relationship management for a national, multi-location organization including: managing RFP's, supplier relationships, contract compliance, etc.
Certifications, Licenses, and Other Special Requirements
None
Management/Decision Making
Uses limited independent judgment to make decisions based on precedents and established guidelines. Solves problems using standard procedures and precedents. Knows when to refer issues to supervisor and when to handle them personally.
Knowledge and Skills
Has a working knowledge of a skill or discipline that requires basic analytic ability. Has an overall understanding of the work environment and process. Has a working knowledge of the organization. Strong customer service skills and thorough knowledge of Microsoft Excel are required. Demonstrated ability to influence and partner with key internal and external stakeholders. Strong analytical background - proficient in Microsoft Excel, Access, PowerPoint, Word. Strong communication skills. Research and data analysis - cost structure analysis skills.
Physical Demands and Working Conditions

• Standing
• Requires interaction with co-workers, residents or vendors
• Walking
• Sitting
• Use hands and fingers to handle or feel
• Reach with hands and arms
• Climb or balance
• Stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl
• Ability to lift up to 25 pounds
• Talk or hear
• Vision

Brookdale is an equal opportunity employer and a drug-free workplace.
Salary Range Information
$47,850 - $59,809 / year