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About Lumen

Lumen connects the world. We are igniting business growth by connecting people, data and applications – quickly, securely, and effortlessly. Together, we are building a culture and company from the people up – committed to teamwork, trust and transparency. People power progress.

Lumen’s commitment to workplace inclusion and employee support shines bright. We’ve made the Newsweek 2024 Greatest Workplaces for Diversity list and achieved a perfect score of 100 on the Human Rights Campaign Corporate Equality Index (CEI) for the fifth consecutive year. Plus, we’re the top employer in the communications and telecom industry, ranking 12th overall across all industries in The American Opportunity Index.

We’re looking for top-tier talent and offer the flexibility you need to thrive and deliver lasting impact. Join us as we digitally connect the world and shape the future.

The Role

The Category Manager oversees the strategy, sourcing, negotiation, and contracting of highly complex services and products at Lumen. The Category Manager is responsible for developing and implementing procurement strategies that align with the business objectives and optimize the value and performance of the suppliers. This position monitors market trends, analyzes spend data, identifies risks and opportunities, and manages critical supplier relationships and performance.

Work Location

This is a fully remote position open to candidates based anywhere in the U.S.

The Main Responsibilities

Category analysis & monitoring

• Conduct internal & external analysis of category (e.g., spend at sub-category, supplier & BU level; market conditions with supply/demand, should-cost modeling) – coordinate with internal Reporting & Analytics to leverage off-the-shelf analytics

• Track changes in supplier landscape, market dynamics, & innovation opportunities within category

Category strategy & planning

• Incorporate findings from analyses into category strategy plan, in addition to business unit goals & budget targets

• Identify and pursue opportunity to drive savings via RFPs, negotiations, demand management, value engineering, etc.

Contracting

• Manage high-complexity contracts and assist with “handing off” tactical contracts to Contracting Excellence team

• Utilize pre-approved supplier contracts based on spend threshold / risk with standardized legal terms

RFX strategy & planning

• Develop RFX strategy within category to drive savings

• Manage high-complexity RFX events, work with the RFX Execution team to handle tactical execution.

Stakeholder relationship management

• Use ‘seat at the table’ with the business to align on strategic agenda & understand upcoming needs

• Establish defined calendar for key meetings to track progress / drive issue resolution in category (e.g., part of staff meetings, conduct monthly / quarterly planning sessions, engage cross-functional team on budget targets)

Supplier relationship management

• Own relationships as primary point of contact for suppliers inside your category, including orchestrating interactions & preparing with business stakeholders on supplier communications beforehand (e.g., annual target setting, QBRs on performance & SLAs, joint initiative pursuits)

• Manage/monitor supplier performance on a regular basis; provides constructive feedback to the supplier for continuous improvement

• Identify strategic suppliers & tier into segments based on spend, business criticality, and market dynamics that need to be tracked closely by procurement

• Identify situations where Lumen has limited suppliers in a key category, or has multiple suppliers that are impacted by the same risk factors, and identify alternatives

What We Look For in a Candidate

Required:

• Minimum 8 plus years of related experience or 5 plus with a Bachelor’s degree.

• Demonstrated exceptional interpersonal and communications skills useful for managing senior level internal relationships, and complex suppliers.

• Experience overseeing supplier relationships for an assigned set of products and/or services including regular supplier performance reviews and discussions.

• Proven background in negotiating high complexity, and high dollar contracts in a fast-paced environment.

• Ability to work independently and in a team environment; self-motivated; strong analytical and problem-solving skills; ability to process large amounts of often complex data; detail oriented.

• Intermediate to advanced professional experience in reviewing contract terms

• Strong to expert knowledge of procurement systems such as SAP and Ariba.

• Excellent time management and organizational skills.

• Experience working in a fast-paced, high visibility environment with frequently shifting priorities.

• Advanced Microsoft Office skills, intermediate to advanced Excel

Preferred :

• 3 plus years' experience performing in a spend category management role

• Experience supporting Procurement transformations (functions, systems, processes)

• Experience applying AI to improve process & reduce administrative functions

Compensation

The starting salary for this role differs based on the employee's primary work location. Employees typically do not start at the top of the range, though compensation depends on each individual's qualifications.

Location Based Pay Ranges

$94,420 - $125,890 in these states: AR, ID, KY, LA, ME, MS, NE, SC, and SD.

$99,390 - $132,510 in these states: AZ, AL, FL, GA, IN, IA, KS, MO, MT, NM, ND, OH, OK, PA, TN, UT, VT, WV, WI, and WY.

$104,360 - $139,140 in these states: CO, HI, MI, MN, NV, NH, NC, OR, and RI.

$109,330 - $145,770 in these states: AK, CA, CT, DE, DC, IL, MD, MA, NJ, NY, TX, VA, and WA.

As with the pay range variety that's based on the region of a country, specific offers are determined by various factors such as experience, education, skills, certifications and other business needs.

Requisition #: 335088

Background Screening

If you are selected for a position, there will be a background screen, which may include checks for criminal records and/or motor vehicle reports and/or drug screening, depending on the position requirements. For more information on these checks, please refer to the Post Offer section of our FAQ page (https://jobs.lumen.com/global/en/faq) . Job-related concerns identified during the background screening may disqualify you from the new position or your current role. Background results will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Equal Employment Opportunities

We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all persons regardless of race, color, ancestry, citizenship, national origin, religion, veteran status, disability, genetic characteristic or information, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, family status, pregnancy, or other legally protected status (collectively, “protected statuses”). We do not tolerate unlawful discrimination in any employment decisions, including recruiting, hiring, compensation, promotion, benefits, discipline, termination, job assignments or training.

Disclaimer

The job responsibilities described above indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not intended to include a comprehensive inventory of all duties and responsibilities for this job. Job duties and responsibilities are subject to change based on evolving business needs and conditions.

Salary Range

Salary Min :

94420

Salary Max :

145770

This information reflects the anticipated base salary range for this position based on current national data. Minimums and maximums may vary based on location. Individual pay is based on skills, experience and other relevant factors.

This position is eligible for either short-term incentives or sales compensation. Director and VP positions also are eligible for long-term incentive. To learn more about our bonus structure, you can view additional information here. (https://jobs.lumen.com/global/en/compensation-information) We're able to answer any additional questions you may have as you move through the selection process.

As part of our comprehensive benefits package, Lumen offers a broad range of Health, Life, Voluntary Lifestyle and other benefits and perks that enhance your physical, mental, emotional and financial wellbeing. You can learn more by clicking here. (https://centurylinkbenefits.com)

Please be advised that Lumen does not require any form of payment from job applicants during the recruitment process. All legitimate job openings will be posted on our official website or communicated through official company email addresses. If you encounter any job offers that request payment in exchange for employment at Lumen, they are not for employment with us, but may relate to another company with a similar name.

Note: For union-represented postings, wage rates and ranges are governed by applicable collective bargaining agreement provisions.

Application Deadline

11/13/2024