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UC OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT

At the University of California (UC), your contributions make a difference. A world leader producing Nobel and Pulitzer prize recipients with over 150 years of groundbreaking research transforming the world. Choose a career where you can leverage your knowledge, skills and aspirations to inspire and support some of the greatest minds in the world, and those who will follow in their footsteps. Working at the University of California is being part of a unique institution, and a vibrant and diverse community. At the University of California, Office of the President, we propel our mission through impactful work locally, in government centers and systemwide. We are passionate people, serving the greater good.

The University of California, one of the largest and most acclaimed institutions of higher learning in the world, is dedicated to excellence in teaching, research and public service. The University of California Office of the President is the headquarters to the 10 campuses, six academic medical centers and three national laboratories and enrolls premier students from California, the nation and the world.

DEPARTMENT OVERVIEW
UC Systemwide Procurement is the procurement/supply chain hub for the University of California system, with over $10 billion in annual spend. We partner with campus procurement offices to develop and implement systemwide supply chain strategies and policies that leverage UC's vast purchasing power to optimize spend and deliver positive social and environmental impact. Systemwide Procurement is transforming how UC purchases goods and services to maximize benefit to the UC system while improving quality and service to our campuses and beyond. We apply best-in-class sourcing methods with emphasis on sustainability and supplier diversity, invest in leading tools and technology, and cultivate strategic supplier partnerships to source the highest quality products and services for the absolute best value. Nationally, UC Procurement is a public procurement role model. As a lead agency for cooperative purchasing, UC contracts are leveraged by over 3,500 public education and government agencies in all 50 states. These organizations depend on and benefit from UC's expertise, knowledge, reputation, and economies of scale to minimize spend and maximize value. UC Systemwide Procurement fosters an environment for continuous improvement and a growth mindset culture. Our team of approximately 50 dedicated professionals is comprised of specialized portfolio sourcing managers, highly skilled data analysts, efficiency-driven business analysts, knowledgeable functional area administrators, and responsive support staff. UC Systemwide Procurement is a high-performing strategic department essential to the financial and operational health of the University of California, with high impact at the state and national levels.

POSITION SUMMARY
The Sr. Category Manager leads the development and implementation of the University of California (UC) systemwide Information Technology (IT) category strategies. UC's IT Strategic Sourcing is responsible for establishing and implementing systemwide category strategies, including category management, strategic sourcing, contract management, supplier relationship management, utilization management, and demand management. Working with a high degree of autonomy as a systemwide sourcing team member under the direction of the Director, Strategic Sourcing - Information Technology, implement strategic sourcing opportunities and strategies leveraging the annual IT category spend in the range of $700M-$1B and produce best-in-class supplier contracts and supplier relationships ensuring alignment with UC's goals. Analyze spend by category using appropriate business metrics, modifying portfolio and sub-category strategies to maintain flexibility in responding to new opportunities or changing UC's business needs. Develop and maintain category-specific knowledge including leading practices and trends. Participate in the development of a forecasted sourcing/projects pipeline that prioritizes sourcing initiatives to pursue and track significant ongoing IT sourcing requirements, sustainability goals, and cost savings, and executes against a plan. Provides leadership on sourcing initiatives of broad and diverse complexity where analysis of situations or data requires an in-depth evaluation of variable factors, uses advanced professional concepts to advance organizational objectives, and resolves complex issues in creative and effective ways. Exercises judgment in selecting methods, techniques, and evaluation criteria for obtaining results. Provides effective contract management to ensure suppliers' compliance with contract terms and to maximize contract utilization UC-wide. Critical stakeholder relationships include both internal and external at all levels.

The Sr. Category Manager position will reside on one of the ten UC campuses. This position is headquartered at the UC Office of the President; however, the selected candidate may be located at any UC campus. Travel to campus sites, other than the employee's primary location, is required approximately 20% of the time. (Note: Internal applicants will not need to relocate. External applicants may be considered for a campus nearest to them.)

Key Responsibilities

• 50% Strategic Sourcing and Category Management: * Working within a virtual team environment, collaborate with the campuses, medical centers, and national laboratories to develop and implement IT category strategies to meet procurement goals. Set priorities in coordination with the Information Technology Sourcing Committee (ITSC), CIO Council, Information Security Council, Procurement Leadership Council (PLC), IT Business Leaders, and Campus Procurement team members across the UC system. Specific duties include: * Lead the development and implementation of the systemwide IT category strategies and execute strategic sourcing opportunities and strategies that meet the needs of UC's information technology products and services. * Review and analyze internal factors and external market conditions in the IT category and sub-category strategy to ensure systemwide agreements have favorable pricing, terms, conditions, rebates, etc. in alignment with the overall Strategic Sourcing goals and objectives. * Collaborate with internal stakeholders throughout all phases of the 7-step sourcing process encompassing market research; RFP/RFI development; proposal evaluation; negotiations; contract drafting and execution, and contract implementation and supplier management within the IT category. Makes selection recommendations regarding suppliers of complex categories in accordance with UC policy and legal compliance. Coordinate the review of proposed contracts with respect to financial terms, usage restrictions and procedures, intellectual property rights, service terms, UC liability, and conformance with UC policies and applicable legal guidelines. Seek expert opinions and internal concessions as necessary. * Identify internal and external risks that may impact the work of the IT portfolio. Develop and execute appropriate mitigation strategies to minimize risks before becoming issues. Ensure that any variations from UC contract standards are granted on a risk-assessment basis, involving Legal Counsel and SMEs as necessary. * Manage the administration of systemwide IT contracts from award through termination to ensure compliance. Track supplier performance and customer satisfaction with established agreements. Monitor contract implementation and track vendor performance and customer satisfaction with agreements. * Participate in efforts to develop and maintain policies and procedures for the operation of procurement and sustainability activities. Identify and investigate continuous improvement opportunities. * Deliver information about completed agreements to the UC community; promote understanding of UC agreements to optimize utilization, reduce cost, and obtain stated objectives. Work with the UC user community and coordinate efforts to monitor and encourage compliance with agreements. * Leads development of strategies for cost reduction, supplier consolidation, quality improvements, and process efficiencies.
• 20% Internal Stakeholder Relationships: * Develop and maintain collaborative working relationships with ITSC, CIO Council, Information Security Council, PLC, EAC, Sustainability, campus procurement teams, and other critical internal client stakeholders across the UC system. * Collaborate with internal stakeholders to determine areas of UC-wide interest, establish priorities for Procurement, and understand and resolve problems with current agreements or supplier performance. * Serves as strategic sourcing leader and advisor to IT sourcing and IT stakeholders.
• 15% Supplier Relationships: * Develop and maintain positive and effective relationships with IT suppliers to ensure alignment with the university's needs and objectives. Represent the University of California in a professional manner. Work with suppliers to establish volume agreements that take advantage of economies of scale and leverage the purchasing power of the University. * Monitor supplier performance and compliance with contractual obligations, addressing any issues or discrepancies as needed. * Retain up to date knowledge of the industry and supplier * specific trends, including changes in category strategy that impact procurement. Seek to influence development of supplier products and support services, as appropriate, in areas of interest and benefit to the University. * Participate in the continuous improvement process to ensure cost effectiveness of the procurement programs and services.
• 10% Data Analysis and Reporting: * Manage information to support effective reporting. Design and execute reports to analyze spend, volume, pricing, terms of existing agreements, expiration dates, supplier performance to support IT strategic sourcing and planning efforts. * Prepare reports for senior management that include analysis of the effectiveness of various agreements, cost savings to the UC, and the value of the UC-wide Strategic Sourcing function. * Develop summaries of negotiations in order to maintain a record of the steps, decisions, and time involved. * Maintain up-to date data on supplier contacts, campus contacts, and current customers. * Research (understand, track, anticipate) and provide benchmark (industry, cost, best practice) information for key sub-categories. * Utilize advanced analytical tools and techniques to analyze IT procurement data and identify key trends, opportunities, and risks within the IT category. Communicate to stakeholders as needed.
• 5% E-Procurement: * Participate on a UC-wide E-procurement initiative to develop and implement with campuses a cost-effective and efficient E-procurement system in order to maximize utilization of the university-wide strategic sourcing contracts. * Retain up to date knowledge of the E-procurement systems and their infrastructure on each campus. Retain up to date knowledge of the industry and changes in the technology that impact E-procurement systems. * Provide on-going management of the information technology contracts on the university-wide E-procurement system, when developed.

Experience
Required Qualifications

• Min 8 years Experience in IT strategic sourcing, leading negotiations, and contracting.
• Demonstrated high level of product/service expertise for the Information Technology category.

Skills and Abilities
Required Qualifications

• In-depth knowledge of strategic sourcing policies, practices, and systems. In-depth knowledge of information technology industries and suppliers.
• Advanced ability to independently gather, organize, and perform financial analysis assignments. Demonstrated experience with total cost of ownership modeling and related financial analytical techniques.
• Demonstrated effective written communication skills including RFP and contract development, concise business memos presented to executives to make recommendations, and written announcements that will be read by a wide audience. Demonstrated ability to develop visual presentation materials and deliver effective and persuasive presentations of strategies and progress to leadership. Demonstrated verbal communication skills, including the ability to manage one on one conversations, small team meetings and groups of campus stakeholders, leading with influence.
• Demonstrated experience working as a team leader in a collaborative environment, building consensus, promoting an exchange of information among technical and business collaborators and leading stakeholder teams and multi-party negotiations.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively with a variety of audiences, including technical, administrative, and academic staff, supplier representatives, and University and supplier senior management.
• Demonstrated ability and experience to critically evaluate legal contracts and work effectively with the Office of General Counsel to achieve acceptable terms and conditions.
• Very strong customer service, interpersonal skills and the ability to coordinate work with others, both internally and externally, to accomplish tasks.
• Demonstrated experience in use of Microsoft suite of productivity applications with a minimum of 5 years' experience with preparing spreadsheets for analytical purposes and developing PowerPoint presentations.
• Demonstrated knowledge of and experience using various proven negotiation methods, and the ability to critically analyze a negotiation. Proven track record of success in leading and managing strategic sourcing initiatives and small business inclusion in sourcing strategies.
• Knowledge of the IT category in higher education or other highly decentralized organizations, including suppliers, distribution models, products, and equipment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Demonstrated understanding of and ability to apply a complex array of university policies (such as Bus-43) and state and federal laws that govern acquisitions. Knowledge of the IT category in higher education including suppliers, distribution models, products, equipment, and commodities.

Education
Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in business administration, supply chain management, or a related field

Licenses and Certifications
Preferred Qualifications

• CPM, CPSM

Travel Requirements
20% Travel to campus sites, other than the employee's primary location.

SPECIAL CONDITIONS

This position is headquartered at the UC Office of the President, but the selected candidate may be located at any UC campus. (Note: Internal applicants will not need to relocate. External applicants will be considered for a campus nearest to them.)

The employee must reside within the state of California. Remote candidates willing to relocate to California may be considered.

SALARY AND BENEFITS

Job Title
Strategic Sourcing Professional 4

Job Code
005917

Salary Grade
Grade 25

Payscale:
$133,000 - $153,100, commensurate with experience

Full Salary Range:
$105,500 - $200,700

The University of California, Office of the President, is required to provide a reasonable estimate of the compensation range for this role. This range takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions including but not limited to experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, and other business and organizational needs. It is not typical for an individual to be offered a salary at or near the top of the range for a position. Salary offers are determined based on final candidate qualifications and experience. The full salary range shows the growth potential for this position and the pay scale is the budgeted salary or hourly range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position.

Benefits: For information on the comprehensive benefits package offered by the University visit:

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

HOW TO APPLY

Please be prepared to attach a cover letter and resume with your application.

APPLICATION REVIEW DATE

The first review date for this job is May 9, 2024. The position will be open until filled.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

Background Check Process: Successful completion of a background check is required for this critical position.

Smoke Free Work Environment: The University of California, Office of the President, is smoke & tobacco-free as of January 1, 2014.

As a condition of employment, you will be required to comply with the University of California , as may be amended or revised from time to time. Federal, state, or local public health directives may impose additional requirements.

EEO STATEMENT

The University of California, Office of the President, is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age or protected veteran status. For the University of California's Affirmative Action Policy please visit: . For the University of California's Anti-Discrimination Policy, please visit: .

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