Director, Category Management

Procurement

Full-Time

Boston, MA or Springfield, MA

The Opportunity

The MassMutual Procurement team supports the company’s mission by delivering the right supplier solutions at the right time. We streamline procurement processes, align supplier partnerships to business needs, and continuously enhance the value provided to our policyholders. We are seeking experienced business leaders with strong procurement and Category Management expertise to join our team. In this role, you will lead a team of procurement professionals and drive strategic initiatives across assigned categories.

The Team

The team is comprised of seasoned, collaborative professionals with experience in procurement, category management, supplier management, and sourcing.

The Impact

As the Director, Category Management, your responsibilities will include but not be limited to the following:

• Provide enterprise‑level leadership to Category Managers, guiding high‑value sourcing portfolios and handling complex, organization‑wide escalations.
• Support strategic direction, establishing long‑term priorities while building talent and fostering a culture of accountability, innovation, and high performance.
• Advance category management maturity by creating standards, frameworks, and continuous‑improvement practices across Procurement.
• Develop and execute category and supplier strategies to improve competitiveness, optimize spend, and support corporate goals.
• Oversee sourcing processes (RFIs, RFPs, major negotiations) to maximize organizational value, reduce risk, and strengthen supplier ecosystems.
• Serve as relationship owner for strategic suppliers, ensuring effective performance oversight, issue resolution, and long‑term partnership development.
• Ensure enterprise alignment, partnering with business leaders and cross‑functional teams so sourcing decisions meet future requirements and strategic goals.
• Champion cross‑functional initiatives aimed at transformation, efficiency, and operational excellence across business units.

The Minimum Qualifications

• 8+ years of experience driving strategic initiatives, managing complex portfolios, and influencing enterprise‑level decision‑making
• 5 + years people management experience
• 4+ years of Executive-level communication and presentation skills as well as listening skills enabling the stakeholders to align with our procurement best practices.
• Bachelor’s Degree

The Ideal Qualifications

• 2+ years leading a Procurement team and/or function in financial services or similar industry/environment.
• Experience creating and leading category strategy.
• Strong financial acumen and understanding of how effective category management relates to company results.
• Strong influence skills to encourage leaders from across MassMutual towards positive supplier relationships and results delivery.
• Possesses a strong understanding and prior working experience in supplier management activities including performance management (SLAs, KPIs etc.), relationship management, contracting and risk management.
• Experience negotiating agreements and managing complex vendor / client relationships.

What to Expect as Part of MassMutual and the Procurement Team:

• The desire to drive change and improvement in the procurement function supporting our mission to be a leading procurement organization

• Focused one-on-one meetings with your manager

• Networking opportunities including access to Asian, Hispanic/Latinx, African American, women, LGBTQ, veteran and disability-focused Business Resource Groups

• Access to learning content on Degreed and other informational platforms

• Your ethics and integrity will be valued by a company with a strong and stable ethical business with industry leading pay and benefits

#LI-MM1

Salary Range:

At MassMutual, we focus on ensuring fair equitable pay, by providing competitive salaries, along with incentive and bonus opportunities for all employees. Your total compensation package includes either a bonus target or in a sales-focused role a Variable Incentive Compensation component.

Why Join Us.

We’ve been around since 1851. During our history, we’ve learned a few things about making sure our customers are our top priority. In order to meet and exceed their expectations, we must have the best people providing the best thinking, products and services. To accomplish this, we celebrate an inclusive, vibrant and diverse culture that encourages growth, openness and opportunities for everyone. A career with MassMutual means you will be part of a strong, stable and ethical business with industry leading pay and benefits. And your voice will always be heard.

We help people secure their future and protect the ones they love. As a company owned by our policyowners, we are defined by mutuality and our vision to put customers first. It’s more than our company structure – it’s our way of life. We are a company of people protecting people. Our company exists because people are willing to share risk and resources, and rely on each other when it counts. At MassMutual, we Live Mutual.

MassMutual is an equal employment opportunity employer. We welcome all persons to apply.

If you need an accommodation to complete the application process, please contact us and share the specifics of the assistance you need.

At MassMutual, we focus on ensuring fair, equitable pay by providing competitive salaries, along with incentive and bonus opportunities for all employees. Your total compensation package includes either a bonus target or in a sales-focused role a Variable Incentive Compensation component. For more information about our extensive benefits offerings please check out our Total Rewards at a Glance.