The Category Management Advisor is a strategic sourcing professional responsible for end-to-end sourcing and contracting for technology solutions across Cigna, including software and software-as-a-service (SaaS). This role drives sourcing strategies globally, manages competitive processes, negotiates agreements, and recommends suppliers that best align with business objectives.
You will collaborate with internal stakeholders-including Business, IT, Legal, Information Protection, and Privacy-to negotiate complex technology agreements. The ideal candidate has experience managing multiple negotiations simultaneously, adapting to dynamic requirements tied to strategic business and IT objectives, and influencing stakeholders at various management levels.
**Responsibilities:**
+ Lead and manage the sourcing process from initiation to execution, ensuring stakeholder engagement and alignment.
+ Develop category strategies considering market trends, spend analysis, strategic importance, and geographic factors.
+ Drive sourcing initiatives across the organization, managing multiple stakeholders and competing priorities.
+ Create timelines and organize cross-functional teams to support negotiations and contracting.
+ Identify and execute sourcing opportunities that deliver cost savings, risk reduction, improved business outcomes, and enhanced service.
+ Draft, review, and revise contracts, SLAs, Statements of Work, and Change Orders to optimize benefits and minimize risk.
+ Mentor teams to understand enterprise-wide category needs and evaluate best-in-class suppliers.
+ Monitor market conditions and cost drivers to forecast trends and inform sourcing strategies.
+ Promote continuous improvement in sourcing and procurement processes.
+ Build and maintain strong relationships with suppliers, stakeholders, and internal business partners.
+ Act as a change agent and mentor, demonstrating adaptability and resilience.
+ Provide analysis and insights to support decision-making and category initiatives.
+ Drive total cost of ownership reductions and business improvements through supplier partnerships.
+ Establish yourself as a trusted advisor to business units.
**Qualifications:**
+ Bachelor's degree in Business, Supply Chain, or related field preferred.
+ 5+ years of relevant experience in sourcing or procurement.
+ Proven experience negotiating software and SaaS contracts.
+ Strong project management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities.
+ Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
+ Demonstrated leadership ability to influence and motivate cross-functional teams.
+ Highly organized with strong time management and attention to detail.
+ Skilled in structured problem-solving and fact-based negotiation tactics.
+ Strong analytical, interpersonal, and collaboration skills.
+ Knowledge of procurement and outsourcing principles, theories, and processes.
+ Ability to thrive in a dynamic, fast-paced environment with periods of ambiguity.
+ Experience drafting and reviewing complex contracts, including MSAs and SOWs.
+ Familiarity with eSourcing tools such as Ariba and Icertis.
If you will be working at home occasionally or permanently, the internet connection must be obtained through a cable broadband or fiber optic internet service provider with speeds of at least 10Mbps download/5Mbps upload.
**About The Cigna Group**
Doing something meaningful starts with a simple decision, a commitment to changing lives. At The Cigna Group, we're dedicated to improving the health and vitality of those we serve. Through our divisions Cigna Healthcare and Evernorth Health Services, we are committed to enhancing the lives of our clients, customers and patients. Join us in driving growth and improving lives.
_Qualified applicants will be considered without regard to race, color, age, disability, sex, childbirth (including pregnancy) or related medical conditions including but not limited to lactation, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran or military status, religion, national origin, ancestry, marital or familial status, genetic information, status with regard to public assistance, citizenship status or any other characteristic protected by applicable equal employment opportunity laws._
_If you require reasonable accommodation in completing the online application process, please email:_
[email protected]_ _for support. Do not email_
[email protected]_ _for an update on your application or to provide your resume as you will not receive a response._
_The Cigna Group has a tobacco-free policy and reserves the right not to hire tobacco/nicotine users in states where that is legally permissible. Candidates in such states who use tobacco/nicotine will not be considered for employment unless they enter a qualifying smoking cessation program prior to the start of their employment. These states include: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Nebraska, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas, Utah, Vermont, and Washington State._
_Qualified applicants with criminal histories will be considered for employment in a manner_ _consistent with all federal, state and local ordinances._