Category Management Advisor: Management Consulting & Professional Services / MCPS

The MCPS Category Management & Strategic Sourcing Advisor is accountable for end-to-end sourcing and contracting of consulting and professional services across Cigna. MCPS is a category that consists of three key service areas (strategy, consulting, and tax/audit/actuarial/analytics), delivered by ten core supplier partners, that account for approximately $300+ million in annual expense. Responsibilities include driving sourcing strategies, managing the competitive bid process, recommending a supplier that best meets the business objectives, and delivering a negotiated contract that governs the supplier relationship.

A successful Advisor must balance project prioritization, challenging status quo, innovation and proactive communication/execution, with a focus on reducing supplier fees and improving service delivery., * Assist in development of annual category plans that include supplier market trends, spend analysis, and strategic business objectives.

• Proactively identify, develop, and execute supplier enabled projects that drive cost savings, risk reduction and quality improvement.
• Negotiate, coordinate and redline Master Service Agreements, Statements of Work, and Change Orders that optimize benefits and minimize risks to Cigna.
• Provide analysis and support of business decision making to align with Cigna Corporate initiatives.
• Work in conjunction with the Third Party (Supplier) Management team to create and manage mutually beneficial long term supplier partnerships, while consolidating the existing supplier base.
• Support scheduled and ad-hoc reporting on supplier and category performance.
• Support continuous improvement of the sourcing and procurement process.
• Maintain and promote sound relationships with suppliers and internal stakeholders.
• Serve as a valued advisor to business buyers of consulting and professional services., * Executive leaders of strategic initiatives that require consulting support
• Directors and Managers of projects that align to strategic initiatives
• Senior Director, Director and Senior Advisor staff within Global Procurement & Third-Party Management
• Matrix Partner Managers and Specialists
• Supplier sourcing and contracting teams

• BA / BS in Business, Supply Chain, or related field; or relevant work experience.
• 5 - 7+ years of progressive experience within a large, global organization.
• Excellent project management, negotiation, listening and communication skills.
• Structured problem solving and decision making skills.
• Ability to apply fact - based negotiation principles and tactics.
• Strong customer service experience in dealing with internal business partners
• Fundamental understanding of corporate and administrative supply chains.
• Ability to work well in a dynamic and rapidly changing environment
• Cross - functional business team environment experience preferred with an ability to foster working relationships with the team and across internal departments.
• Efficient in MS Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint)

Doing something meaningful starts with a simple decision, a commitment to changing lives. At The Cigna Group, we're dedicated to improving the health and vitality of those we serve. Through our divisions Cigna Healthcare and Evernorth Health Services, we are committed to enhancing the lives of our clients, customers and patients. Join us in driving growth and improving lives., The Cigna Group has a tobacco-free policy and reserves the right not to hire tobacco/nicotine users in states where that is legally permissible. Candidates in such states who use tobacco/nicotine will not be considered for employment unless they enter a qualifying smoking cessation program prior to the start of their employment. These states include: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Nebraska, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas, Utah, Vermont, and Washington State. Qualified applicants with criminal histories will be considered for employment in a manner consistent with all federal, state and local ordinances.