Procurement Category Manager

We Impact Lives Through Purpose-Driven Work in A People First Culture

Ascend Learning is the connection between a powerful portfolio of brands serving students, educators, and employers with outcomes-based, data driven solutions across the lifecycle of learning.

Our values-driven culture unifies our teams and inspires a mindset of action, innovation, and collaboration, with a relentless focus on customers.

We're always looking for talented, passionate professionals to join us in our mission to help change lives. If this sounds like an environment where you'd thrive, read on to learn more.

Ascend Learning leads the way in innovation and solution creation to improve outcomes and deliver results for students, educators, and healthcare workers in the ever-changing field of healthcare. We offer advanced resources that drive nursing success, empower front-line certified allied health workers, help physicians pass boards and stay current, and provide education management tools for medical education programs.

WHAT YOU'LL DO

The Procurement Category Manager will oversee the management of 1/3 of Ascends primary categories of vendor spend. Category management includes establishing effective relationships with business / functional leaders built on transparency, communications, and expertise. This Procurement Category Manager will lead respective leaders in the development of strategic sourcing strategies as well as ongoing vendor management activities. Strategic sourcing activities include leading commercial negotiations, controlling contractual / operational risk, and implementing continuous improvement plans with our vendor partners. The category manager will also coordinate procurement and vendor management activities with Blackstone's procurement function, as needed.

WHERE YOU'LL WORK

This position offers the flexibility of remote work within the United States.

HOW YOU'LL SPEND YOUR TIME

• Trusted Procurement Advisor

• Relationship building, effective communications / influence, and developing category sourcing strategies with business and functional leaders.

• Strategic Sourcing

• Reviewing existing contracts / spend, evaluating vendor RFX submissions, conducting commercial negotiations, and driving costs lower / value higher through contracting opportunities.

• Ongoing Vendor Management

• Reviewing existing vendor performance and ongoing costs, driving continuous improvement vendor activities, and managing internal Ascend employee behaviors to maximize value creation.

• Market/Industry Awareness & Monitoring

• Keeping an eye the market for innovation / AI, industry trends, disruptive vendors, and attending select conferences and industry events, integrating these ongoing learnings into strategic sourcing and vendor management strategies.

• Blackstone Best Practices

• Leveraging Blackstone's advanced procurement capabilities to add incremental value, whenever possible.

WHAT YOU'LL NEED

• Minimum 8+ years of experience in Operations, Procurement, Vendor Management, and/or Technology organizations

• Bachelor's degree required; MBA preferred

• Experience influencing C-suite

• Procurement (strategic sourcing) and vendor management experience

• Financial acumen (understanding cost structure, evaluating vendor proposals, building savings forecasts / models), vendor contracting and key contract provision knowledge

• Ability to develop relationships and influence senior business and functional leaders

• Drive strategic sourcing strategies end-to-end from defining business requirements, developing RFX documents, tendering the market, negotiating with vendors, and effective contracting. Drive cost out / value in through pricing improvements, demand / behavior management, and right sizing our business requirements

• Ability to travel occasionally to meet the needs of our clients and stay connected with industry developments

BENEFITS

• Flexible and generous paid time off

• Competitive medical, dental, vision and life insurance

• 401(k) employer matching program

• Parental leave

• Wellness resources

• Charitable matching program

• Hybrid work

• On-site workout facilities (Leawood, Gilbert, Burlington)

• Community outreach groups

• Tuition reimbursement

Fostering A Sense of Belonging

We seek out and celebrate all people and perspectives and cultivate an inclusive culture where everyone can thrive, feel valued and be their authentic selves. Our culture is firmly rooted in the belief that by embracing our differences and drawing on diverse perspectives, we are a stronger, more innovative, and more successful organization where employees experience a sense of belonging.

About Ascend Learning

As a tech-enabled services company, Ascend Learning is a national leader in developing and delivering data-driven online educational content, software, assessments, analytics, and simulations serving institutions, students and employers across healthcare, fitness and wellness, public and workplace safety, skilled trades, insurance, financial services, cybersecurity, and higher education. We're committed to accelerating the learning pathways that can move people into careers where they have the knowledge and skills to have an impact and help change lives in the communities they serve. Headquartered in Burlington, MA with additional office locations and hybrid and remote workers in cities across the U.S., Ascend Learning was recognized by Newsweek and Plant-A Insights Group as one of America's 2023 Greatest Workplaces for Diversity.

Ascend Learning, LLC is proud to be an equal opportunity employer (M/F/Vets/Disabled). No agency or search firm submissions will be accepted. Applications for U.S. based positions with Ascend Learning, LLC must be legally authorized to work in the United States and verification of employment eligibility will be required at the time of hire.

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