Senior Category Manager, Marketing & Technology

Company: Aspen Dental
Location: Chicago
Posted on: May 3, 2025

Job Description:

The Aspen Group (TAG) is one of the largest and most trusted retail healthcare business support organizations in the U.S. and has supported over 20,000 healthcare professionals and team members with close to 1,500 health and wellness offices across 50 states in four distinct categories: dental care, urgent care, medical aesthetics, and animal health. Working in partnership with independent practice owners and clinicians, the team is united by a single purpose: to prove that healthcare can be better and smarter for everyone. TAG provides a comprehensive suite of centralized business support services that power the impact of five consumer-facing businesses: Aspen Dental, ClearChoice Dental Implant Centers, WellNow Urgent Care, Chapter Aesthetic Studio, and AZPetVet. Each brand has access to a deep community of experts, tools and resources to grow their practices, and an unwavering commitment to delivering high-quality consumer healthcare experiences at scale.As a reflection of our current needs and planned growth, we are very pleased to offer a new opportunity to join our dedicated team as a Senior Category Manager, Marketing & Technology.At The Aspen Group, we recognize that effectively managing our supply chain is integral in our ability to deliver innovative and effective services to the practices that we support across the country. The Sr. Category Manager of Marketing and Technology will oversee all sourcing related activities and processes associated with the acquisition of goods and services, in spend areas that include: Media agency, creative agency, marketing technology services, technology consulting, SaaS agreements, and other related spend areas. Sourcing related activities include: requirements gathering, identifying sources, creating and issuing Requests for Proposal (RFP), proposal evaluation, contract negotiations, contract drafting, contract administration, and spend analytics. This position will be functionally responsible for ensuring compliance with company procurement policies, ethical and legal business practices, and lowest total cost of ownership procurement.Key Functions Include:

• Align and collaborate with business executives of functional areas to understand business strategy and develop strategic sourcing strategies to drive optimal value in the purchase of goods and services.
• Lead and support contract negotiations with key suppliers to improve cost, quality, delivery, diversity, and safety in the supply base.
• Lead and coach internal business partners and team members on the sourcing process. Sourcing Process includes gathering requirements, market analysis, identifying sources, RF(x) management, proposal evaluation, negotiations, contract creation, contract management, spend analysis, and long-term category planning.
• Lead cross-functional teams comprised of business managers, legal, risk management, information security, and other impacted organizations to coordinate company sourcing activities. The candidate will need to build and analyze financial models to evaluate proposal scenarios and present recommendations in a clear and concise format.
• Provide regular communication to Business and Supply Chain leadership on project status, contract renewals, category performance, and various initiatives.Key Skills:
  • Must have a thorough understanding of contracting principles and contract structure, with competencies in the areas of facilities, construction, and related areas.
  • Must have strong leadership and team-building skills to integrate and motivate people from different organizations to work together in achieving process objectives and project goals.
  • Must be adept at communicating with vendors and internal business partners to establish and maintain credibility for the sourcing function, while increasing service to our internal business partners - improving the quality and performance levels of the supply base to achieve the lowest total cost to the Company.
  • Skilled in negotiating, renegotiating, and administering contracts with suppliers and vendors such that the best interest of the Company is paramount. Must be capable and experienced in negotiating large scale, enterprise-wide supplier agreements.
  • Ability to develop, coordinate, and control multiple processes and or projects, achieving on-time contracting services to satisfy the operating requirements of the Company.
  • Ability to create and maintain documentation, in adherence with policy, to meet internal and external audit requirements.
  • Demonstrates excellent oral communication skills to convey technical information to both internal and external sources, including non-technical audiences.
  • Must have excellent written communication skills to effectively and accurately convey detailed and complex information regarding contract specifications, policies, and procedures to consultants/contractors and internal clients.
  • Must have experience in effectively establishing procurement strategy and decision criteria and in bringing decisions to closure while demonstrating business acumen and good judgment.
  • Computer skills should include proficiency in MS Office including: Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. Experience working with E-Sourcing Platforms, and Access or other database tools.
  • Must be able to maintain a high level of customer service in a work environment of numerous competing demands.
  • Able to comfortably interface with all levels of Management, inside & outside the organization.Educational & Experience Requirements:
    • The successful candidate should have a bachelor's degree in business administration, Supply Chain, Accounting, or Engineering. MBA or equivalent background is preferred.
    • Professional purchasing certification or Lean Six-Sigma is desirable.
    • Solid background in supply chain management, procurement, or project management with an emphasis on strategic sourcing with 7+ years of related experience.
    • Demonstrated experience sourcing materials and services for major projects in a fast-paced environment.Pay range: $135,000 - $160,000 DOE + 15% Bonus
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Keywords: Aspen Dental, Elkhart , Senior Category Manager, Marketing & Technology, Executive , Chicago, Indiana