Director of Procurement, Category Management

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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.

Part and Full Time Benefits Eligibility

• Medical, Dental, Vision insurance
• 401(k)
• Associate assistance program
• Employee discounts
• Referral program
• Early access to earned wages for hourly associates (outside of CA)
• Optional voluntary benefits including ID theft protection and pet insurance

Full Time Only Benefits Eligibility

• Paid Time Off
• Paid holidays
• Company provided life insurance
• Adoption benefit
• Disability (short and long term)
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Health Savings Account
• Optional life and dependent life insurance
• Optional voluntary benefits including accident, critical illness and hospital indemnity Insurance, and legal plan
• Tuition reimbursement

Base pay in range will be determined by applicant’s skills and experience. Full-time associates in role are also eligible for an annual bonus incentive. Temporary associates are not benefits eligible but may participate in the company’s 401(k) program.

Veterans, transitioning active duty military personnel, and military spouses are encouraged to apply. 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.

The application window is anticipated to close within 30 days of the date of the posting. 

The Director of Procurement will lead the Category Management team in the development, negotiation, and execution of overall category strategies with the goal of achieving cost efficiencies in the total cost of goods and services while maintaining strong collaboration with supplier relationships to ensure contracted categories product performance and service levels are meeting the organization’s business needs.  This position will report directly to the Vice President of Procurement and will maintain close alignment with category stakeholders and senior level leaders across the organization. The Director must be able to interact in an efficient, professional, and responsive manner with all levels of associates, stakeholders, and suppliers.   

1. Conduct market due diligence and category assessments for contracted categories to develop optimized supply strategies that reduce total cost of ownership, mitigate risks, drive supplier performance, and meet stakeholder expectations. Collaborate with Procurement’s Strategic Sourcing team on the request for proposal process.  

2. Responsible for implementation of category agreements and strategies, as well as, the ongoing management and utilization of contracted programs, driving contract and vendor compliance to the new and existing national agreements. 

3. Define key performance indicators to measure supplier performance. Benchmark category performance with top industry competitors.

4. Serve as the lead liaison with internal department stakeholders, operations, senior leadership team members regarding the management of contracted categories to assess voice of customer and ensure business needs are being met.

5. Lead, coach, and manage the performance of direct and indirect Category Management associates, serving as a key liaison to senior leadership to ensure team alignment and success.

6. Establish, manage and scale supplier relationships and lead efforts to identify new product and category opportunities, and effectively resolve feedback regarding quality, pricing, or performance. 

7. Define and execute the category-level order guide strategy to optimize the product mix and core SKUs, while leading ongoing reviews for new supplier items and SKU rationalizations . 

8. Develop and maintain the business review strategy, conducting quarterly and annual assessments to evaluate overall program performance and drive innovation initiatives

9. Negotiate and implement regional and national contracts to support the product and service goals of the organization.   

10. Ensure the Category Management process maintains proper compliance with Procurement team procedures, Brookdale policies, systems, and controls.

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.

Education and Experience

Bachelor’s degree (B.A.) from four-year college or university and a minimum of 5-10 years related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.  Master’s degree preferred.

Certifications, Licenses, and Other Special Requirements
CPSM preferred

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 significant knowledge of an advanced discipline with a working knowledge of related fields.  Has significant knowledge of the organization, work environment and process.  Is a true champion, who can lead change with internal and external teams.  Exceptional problem solving and analytical skills. Proven success sourcing food categories for a national, multi-location organization including; managing RFPs, vendor relationships, contract compliance, etc.  Ability to influence and partner with key internal and external stakeholders.  Strong analytical background-proficient in Excel, Access, PowerPoint, Word.  Strong communication and project management skills. Research and data analysis-cost structure analysis.  Willing to make tough decisions and challenge conventional thinking. 

Physical Demands and Working Conditions

• Standing
• Requires interaction with co-workers, residents or vendors
• Walking
• Sitting
• Occasional weekend, evening or night work if needed to ensure shift coverage
• Use hands and fingers to handle or feel
• Reach with hands and arms
• Stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl
• Talk or hear
• Exposure to latex
• Ability to lift: Up to 25 pounds  
• Possible exposure to blood-borne pathogens
• Possible exposure to various drugs, chemical, infectious, or biological hazards
• Requires Travel: Frequently
• Vision

Brookdale is an equal opportunity employer and a drug-free workplace.