Category Manager - Clinical, Laboratory & Med/Surg

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Day - 08 Hour (United States of America)

At Stanford Medicine, we are not just a part of history; we are actively shaping the future. Our Souring team is often described as a "100-year-old startup," and we are undergoing a transformative refresh of everything we do. We are introducing new tools and exploring innovative analytical areas, all while establishing a single point of sourcing for the entire enterprise—a groundbreaking achievement in Stanford's history.

We are looking for individuals who are confident in their skill sets and eager to be part of something dynamic and impactful. As we fast-track our growth, there is a high probability that our team will double in size within the next few years. Those who join us now will be part of the foundational team, gaining access to unparalleled opportunities for professional development and advancement.

Imagine being on the ground floor of a rapidly growing organization. If you join us now, you will grow alongside us, shaping the future of our supply chain operations. Those who wait to join in a few years will miss out on the chance to make a significant impact and will instead witness the results of the groundwork laid by others.

We are seeking individuals who are not just maintainers but are passionate growers—those who are excited to contribute to our evolution and success. If you are hungry for growth and eager to leave your mark, this is the place for you.

Join us at Stanford Medicine, where you can put your imprint on everything we are building. The choice is yours: be part of the journey from the beginning or watch from the sidelines as others shape the future. We invite you to be a part of our exciting growth story!

This is a Stanford Health Care job.

A Brief Overview

The Category Manager, Clinical, Laboratory & Med/Surg Category Management is responsible for developing and executing sourcing and category strategies across a portfolio of medical, surgical, procedural, research, physician preference item (PPI), and clinical supply categories for Stanford Health Care and affiliated entities. This role drives value through strategic sourcing, contract optimization, supplier performance management, product standardization, and cost reduction initiatives while ensuring an optimal balance of quality, patient outcomes, service, availability, and total cost of ownership.

Partnering closely with Physicians, Clinicians, Value Analysis (Value Based Management) teams, Supply Chain, Finance, Operations, and other key stakeholders, the Category Manager identifies opportunities to improve utilization, standardize products, reduce variation, and deliver measurable financial and operational results. The role leads complex sourcing via RFx initiatives, supports new product and technology evaluations, negotiates supplier agreements, analyzes spend and market data, and manages strategic supplier relationships across assigned clinical categories. The role is also responsible for facilitating product conversions and consolidations to support contractual agreements, in partnership with other departments within Supply Chain and clinicians. 

Reporting to the Manager, Category Management, this position serves as a trusted advisor who applies strong emotional intelligence, business acumen, and influence skills to build stakeholder alignment, navigate competing priorities, and drive evidence-based decision-making. Success in this role requires a collaborative leader who can effectively engage physicians, clinicians, and business leaders to achieve sustainable value, support clinical excellence, and advance organizational objectives. Ideal candidate will have demonstrated experience and sourcing success within any of the med-surg or PPI categories within a large health system or an academic medical center.  

Locations
Stanford Health Care

What you will do

1) Service
a. Negotiates pricing and contracts for products, product groups and services in collaboration with operational business leaders.
b. Provide category and spend informatics support for the analysis and execution of business, financial, and operational data that will be utilized to develop opportunities for changes in process and operations to include standardization and utilization of resources (supplies, equipment, services, people, etc.).
c. Acts as day to day point of contact for Group Purchasing Organization (GPO) and other supplier representatives.
d. Responsible for timely generation of LOCs, contract activations and GPO Tier analysis and optimization.
e. Develops RFIs, RFQs and RFPs for services and products, including bid specifications, terms and conditions, bid evaluation and vendor selection.
f. Incorporates appropriate terms and conditions into final contract documentation, ensuring adherence and compliance to all contractual, financial, Local and regulatory specifications or requirements.
g. Audits contracts to ensure compliance to current group purchasing organization (GPO) agreements.
h. Supports SHC and LPCH Vendor Management related policies, including audits to ensure vendor compliance and assess vendor performance.
i. Works closely with key stakeholders to develop effective cost reduction strategies
j. Analyzes assigned products, services and contracts with the goal of attaining the best value decision.
k. Coordinates efforts of a team of analysts and data specialists which provide supporting services to the Category Management group

• 2) Operations
  a. Assists in managing the catalog and contracts information within Master Data Management
  b. Supports Value Based Selection program, Patient Care VAT and Standard Operating Procedure framework
  c. Conducts contract administration, price analysis and negotiation
  d. Creates strategies as well as tactical planning around the implementation of process and technology changes
  e. Monitors and evaluates contract volume, supply chain information system performance, purchasing volume and flow, and value based selection reporting and outcomes; provides input to director of sourcing and implements changes and enhancements.
• 3) Finance and Strategy
  a. Divides category into strategic market segments and through a comprehensive market analysis (to include review of corporate financial reports, analyst calls and bleeding edge technology and product changes) develops near, mid and long range strategies for each market segment within a category of spend.
  b. Utilizes all available tools to gain market knowledge and to access best pricing of assigned categories, including but not limited to ECRI, Spendlink and other benchmarking and analysis services.
  c. Identifies and implements Non-Labor Spend savings initiatives
  d. Documents and communicates the savings success and engages end users in needed process change or product conversion.
• 4) Quality and Safety
  a. Adheres to HIPAA and BAA requirements.
  b. Facilitates implementation of new or modified policies and procedures based on hospital best practices and compliance with Federal, State, and regulatory agencies. Ensures policies are followed across the organization through education to hospital departments and coordination with Finance, Compliance, Office of General Counsel, and Risk Management.
• 5) People
  a. Develops relationships with and regularly engages with Clinicians, Operational Business Leaders, External Service Providers and key suppliers to ensure end-to-end engagement necessary to develop the collaboration necessary for spend and performance optimization.
  b. Implements performance measures and quality measures to ensure high service levels while maintaining cost effectiveness.
  c. Develops and mentors staff so that they are continuously challenged to add value through their actions and to embody a customer service spirit.
  d. Regularly presents to internal and external stakeholders.
  6) Performs other related and incidental duties as needed or assigned.

Education Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a work-related discipline/field from an accredited college or university
• Preferred: Master’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration.

Experience Qualifications

• Five (5) years of related work experience in Value Analysis, Contract Administration, Vendor Management or Purchasing.
• Preferred: Supply chain management or category management experience with a hospital or healthcare system.

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Ability to apply judgment and make informed decisions
• Ability to communicate effectively
• Ability to conduct analysis and formulate conclusions
• Ability to demonstrate an end-to-end knowledge of Supply Chain processes
• Ability to understand financial statement
• Ability to demonstrate the understanding of the impact of implementing new price agreements
• Ability to effectively prioritize work and meet deadlines in a fast paced environment
• Ability to foster effective working relationships and build consensus
• Ability to manage numerous central and offsite order and supply systems for the hospitals and clinics
• Ability to plan, organize, prioritize, work independently and meet deadlines
• Knowledge of computer systems and software used in functional area
• Knowledge of general store keeping, inventory and stock control methods
• Knowledge of hospital billing systems and hospital rate file structures
• Knowledge of local, state and federal regulatory requirements related to areas of functional responsibility
• Knowledge of new technologies (in specific field) and maintain and stay abreast of updates and changes
• Knowledge of specialized medical and surgical supplies and equipment, primarily of a disposable nature
• Knowledge of Sterile Processing and case cart systems
• Adheres to HIPAA and BAA requirements.
• Facilitates implementation of new or modified policies and procedures based on hospital best practices and compliance with Federal, State, and regulatory agencies. Ensures policies are followed across the organization through education to hospital departments and coordination with Finance, Compliance, Office of General Counsel, and Risk Management.

These principles apply to ALL employees:

SHC Commitment to Providing an Exceptional Patient & Family Experience

Stanford Health Care sets a high standard for delivering value and an exceptional experience for our patients and families. Candidates for employment and existing employees must adopt and execute C-I-CARE standards for all of patients, families and towards each other. C-I-CARE is the foundation of Stanford’s patient-experience and represents a framework for patient-centered interactions. Simply put, we do what it takes to enable and empower patients and families to focus on health, healing and recovery.

You will do this by executing against our three experience pillars, from the patient and family’s perspective:

• Know Me: Anticipate my needs and status to deliver effective care
• Show Me the Way: Guide and prompt my actions to arrive at better outcomes and better health
• Coordinate for Me: Own the complexity of my care through coordination

Equal Opportunity Employer Stanford Health Care (SHC) strongly values diversity and is committed to equal opportunity and non-discrimination in all of its policies and practices, including the area of employment. Accordingly, SHC does not discriminate against any person on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation or gender identity and/or expression, religion, age, national or ethnic origin, political beliefs, marital status, medical condition, genetic information, veteran status, or disability, or the perception of any of the above. People of all genders, members of all racial and ethnic groups, people with disabilities, and veterans are encouraged to apply. Qualified applicants with criminal convictions will be considered after an individualized assessment of the conviction and the job requirements.

Base Pay Scale: Generally starting at $64.63 - $85.65 per hour

The salary of the finalist selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to, internal equity, experience, education, specialty and training. This pay scale is not a promise of a particular wage.