Category Management & Strategic Sourcing Senior Advisor - IT - Hybrid

Overview Join the Information Security, Telecom, and Contact Center Technologies team as a Senior Advisor within the Category Management and Strategic Sourcing (CMSS) organization. The team negotiates agreements with an emphasis on risk mitigation, business and legal terms, and competitive pricing. In this role, you will lead assigned sourcing activities across related categories within the Information Security and Technology organizations. You will manage sourcing projects of varying size and complexity and support major strategic initiatives. Responsibilities include developing sourcing strategies, analyzing markets, managing competitive events, negotiating agreements, maintaining supplier relationships, and recommending suppliers that best meet business objectives. The successful candidate will translate evolving requirements into sourcing strategies aligned with enterprise goals, engage stakeholders at multiple management levels, and lead supplier negotiations to secure competitive pricing, reduce risk, improve delivery, and obtain favorable terms for Cigna. Strong business and legal knowledge of Information Security, Telecom, and Contact Center hardware and software is expected, along with solid financial acumen. Responsibilities • Lead the execution and implementation of sourcing initiatives ranging from small to large. • Manage day-to-day sourcing and contracting activities, engaging subject-matter experts as needed. • Develop negotiation strategies and conduct or oversee detailed financial analyses to benchmark market-leading costs for products and services. • Prepare for and lead negotiations in collaboration with business stakeholders and Supply Chain Management leadership, as appropriate. • Clearly communicate negotiation strategies and sourcing project progress. • Track and report sourcing initiative progress in the contracting system. • Partner with business stakeholders to develop RFPs and other supplier selection and evaluation tools. • Identify opportunities to improve sourcing and procurement processes with the potential for significant financial impact. • Ensure supplier contracts support performance measurement and reporting. • Analyze industries, supply markets, and sourcing best practices to design supplier relationship models that meet enterprise needs, control costs, and maximize value. • Develop timelines and coordinate cross-functional teams to implement sourcing strategies and initiatives. Qualifications • Bachelor’s degree strongly preferred, ideally in Business, Supply Chain, Medical Management, or a related field. • Knowledge of healthcare, the role of health insurers, and the healthcare supply chain is preferred. • Demonstrated experience drafting and reviewing contracts, including Master Services Agreements and Statements of Work. • At least five years of progressive sourcing experience in a large, global organization. • Self-motivated, with a strong appreciation for effective processes and systems. • Excellent project management skills. • Strong communication, facilitation, and leadership skills, with a proven ability to lead, influence, and motivate others. • Experience working in cross-functional teams and building effective relationships across internal departments. • Strong time-management and organizational skills, with close attention to detail. • Ability to perform procurement-related financial analyses. • Structured problem-solving and decision-making skills. • Ability to lead a diverse negotiation team. • Ability to apply fact-based negotiation principles and tactics and present findings to key executives and decision-makers. • Ability to succeed in a fast-paced, changing environment that may involve ambiguity. • Understanding of industry cost structures, cost d