Category Manager, Technology

Get to know The Pokémon Company International

The Pokémon Company International manages the Pokémon property outside of Asia and is responsible for brand management, licensing and marketing, the Pokémon Trading Card Game, the animated TV series, home entertainment, and the official Pokémon website. Pokémon was launched in Japan in 1996 and today is one of the most popular children’s entertainment properties in the world.

Learn more online at corporate.pokemon.com and pokemon.com .

Get to know the role

Job Title: Category Manager, Technology

Job Summary: The Category Manager is responsible for developing and executing the category management strategy and processes for the technology category, and other categories as necessary, to ensure that category(s) consistently meet business needs. Activities include developing and implementing the category strategy for respective categories, analyzing the demand/supply plan, developing sourcing strategy, and facilitating the sourcing process via RF(X) events and contract negotiations.

FLSA Classification (US Only): Exempt

People Manager: No

What you’ll do

CATEGORY MANAGEMENT – Develop category strategies for respective group of categories in alignment with overall Category Management objectives, including:

Develop the formal category requirements aligned to business priorities and Category Management objectives

Develop category strategies based on analysis of spend data, supply market dynamics, category intelligence, and business requirements and update a written category strategy document annually.

Evaluate and analyze annual spend data, external market data and other necessary information to support the Procurement Leader in enhancing, updating, and validating category-specific strategies

Collaborate with business stakeholders to develop build influence, evaluate, and change the status quo. Identify and obtain buy-in for category strategy and value opportunities

Disposition tactical sourcing and contract projects to 3rd party sourcing support team.

Actively drives value beyond cost -i.e., risk mitigation, operational efficiencies, innovation, etc.

STRATEGIC SOURCING – Coordinate and implement strategic sourcing initiatives for assigned categories, including:

Execute strategic sourcing projects using best practice sourcing methodology to deliver exceptional total value in partnership with key stakeholders across the business

Executes strategic sourcing initiatives following the 7-step sourcing methodology for RF(x) events

Develop strategic plans for high spend/complex renewals for enterprise level software/hardware/managed service renewals.

Assess supplier capabilities and identify new suppliers

Develop a preferred supplier process for the technology function that drives supplier consolidation while increasing financial/contractual benefits to TPCi.

Prepare and present business cases and should-cost models; performs complex data analysis and build financial models (i.e., ROI, NPV, supplier scorecards, savings tracking, make vs. buy decision models)

Analyze and summarize RFP responses and results and prepare recommendations for Senior Management

Ensures savings are delivered in a timely manner and that TPCi realizes expected benefits

Oversee and negotiate business terms within Master and other agreements for respective categories within TPCi Legal’ s established risk framework

Coordinate drafting and negotiating Terms and Conditions with Legal

Identify and escalate legal risk to Legal department

Draft executive summaries for internal business approvers after strategic sourcing projects are completed

SUPPLIER RELATIONSHIP MANAGEMENT – Manage supplier performance within the supplier relationship management framework and category strategy

Establishes and manages the governance processes with suppliers and outsourced partners for categories in scope

Implements strategies to best manage the supplier base for categories in scope, reviewing suppliers against contracted obligations/service levels and business expectations

Provide feedback on performance, seek continuous improvement and innovation

Execute supplier performance measurement framework and develop stakeholder guidelines in conjunction with Category Management strategic objectives, leveraging Performance Management information as appropriate

Identify and manage supplier risks and risk response plans

Schedule, manage, and facilitate supplier relationship management meetings / reviews

Develops implementation and transition plans acting as a change agent

Implements and drives procurement strategy, policies, and procedures

Enforces compliance to procurement policies and works to increase adoption

MEASUREMENT – Provide guidance, coaching and support to the business with regards to category strategy, strategic sourcing, and demand/ supply planning

Develop, measure, maintain, benchmark and track Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

Continuously research Category best practices and new …