Associate Director – Sourcing Procurement

Optum is a global organization that delivers care, aided by technology to help millions of people live healthier lives. The work you do with our team will directly improve health outcomes by connecting people with the care, pharmacy benefits, data and resources they need to feel their best. Here, you will find a culture guided by diversity and inclusion, talented peers, comprehensive benefits and career development opportunities. Come make an impact on the communities we serve as you help us advance health equity on a global scale. Join us to start Caring. Connecting. Growing together.

As the Sourcing & Procurement Associate Director (IT), you will be challenged to lead strategic sourcing, procurement, and contracting efforts across the enterprise in a rapidly changing IT Software/Services category primarily for business process applications (such as, virtual care technology, care coordination platforms, and financial software), plus other indirect technology spend commodities as assigned. A successful candidate for this role will have superior experience with the end-to-end sourcing & procurement process, analytical and risk management skills, and exceptional relationship management and consultative skills. The ideal candidate should be a self-starter, demonstrate the ability to lead and manage multiple projects and tasks, and successfully deliver on initiatives that will often have a broad and meaningful impact.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Develop, lead, and execute category management plans, competitive events, deal analysis, and complex negotiations for IT Software/Hardware and Services
• Support the end-to-end procurement process from sourcing through contracting, including pipeline management, in accordance with category strategy
• Review, develop, redline, and negotiate complex third-party vendor contracts, including Master Software as a Service Agreements (SaaS), Statements of Work (SOWs), Orders, and amendments in cooperation with legal, internal stakeholders, and external business partners
• Develop impactful service level agreements (SLAs) or key performance indicators (KPIs) in alignment with enterprise standards, stakeholders requirements, and category strategy
• Rationalize suppliers within the IT Software/Services categories to drive alignment of enterprise supply chain strategies with targeted technology vendors
• Develop solid working relationships with key internal stakeholders and suppliers within the portfolio to support business objectives, revenue growth opportunities, supplier innovation, and expense reductions
• Support broader initiatives across the Sourcing & Procurement team to aid in execution of supplier performance management, inclusion & diversity, and sourcing processes
• Comply with the terms and conditions of the employment contract, company policies and procedures, and any and all directives (such as, but not limited to, transfer and/or re-assignment to different work locations, change in teams and/or work shifts, policies in regards to flexibility of work benefits and/or work environment, alternative work arrangements, and other decisions that may arise due to the changing business environment). The Company may adopt, vary or rescind these policies and directives in its absolute discretion and without any limitation (implied or otherwise) on its ability to do so

Required Qualifications:

• Undergraduate degree in applicable area of expertise or equivalent experience
• 8+ years of progressive experience in developing market-leading category management and sourcing strategies and leading complex strategic sourcing projects in cross-functional team environment.
• 8+ years of experience benchmarking, constructing, and negotiating complex master agreements and statements of work.
• Proven high impact individual with demonstrated ability to succeed in a high demand multi-tasking environment.
• Demonstrated ability to successfully navigate through ambiguous situations using facts, alternatives identification, open-mindedness, thought-through strategy, and superior leadership.
• Proven superior organizational, project management and communication (written and verbal) skills.
• Demonstrated ability to think strategically and execute plans when directed.
• Ability to concisely articulate positions and garner support quickly from various levels of leadership.
• Solid analytical skills (effectively supports decisions on factual data and analysis) and problem solving skills
• Advanced skill level in MS Excel, Word, Outlook, PowerPoint, and Teams.

Preferred Qualifications:

• 10+ years of experience within IT Software or Hardware categories
• 5-8 years of experience of negotiating technology complex deals, developing and leading RFx projects, including use of eRFx tools or relevant sell -side negotiation experience
• Solid understanding of IT Software and Hardware
• Knowledge of e-Procurement tools; previous experience utilizing Procure-to-Pay and Contracting modules (or similar procurement systems)

At UnitedHealth Group, our mission is to help people live healthier lives and make the health system work better for everyone. We believe everyone–of every race, gender, sexuality, age, location and income–deserves the opportunity to live their healthiest life. Today, however, there are still far too many barriers to good health which are disproportionately experienced by people of color, historically marginalized groups and those with lower incomes. We are committed to mitigating our impact on the environment and enabling and delivering equitable care that addresses health disparities and improves health outcomes — an enterprise priority reflected in our mission.