Why Join Thrivent?

Thrivent is a mission-driven, not-for-profit financial services organization dedicated to helping people achieve financial clarity, security, and purpose. As a Fortune 500 company with a strong Christian heritage, we empower individuals, families, and communities to thrive through holistic financial planning, insurance, investments, and retirement solutions. Our Category Manager role offers a unique opportunity to contribute to our procurement excellence while aligning with our values of integrity, compassion, and stewardship.

Join a collaborative team where your strategic sourcing expertise drives cost savings, risk mitigation, and supplier innovation. At Thrivent, you'll enjoy a hybrid work model across the United States, professional development programs, and a culture that prioritizes work-life balance. Be part of an organization recognized as a top workplace by Forbes and Great Place to Work, with a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. Advance your career in procurement while making a meaningful impact on our members and mission.

Role Description

The Category Manager at Thrivent leads strategic sourcing activities for indirect spend categories, such as Travel, Technology, Professional Services, or real estate leasing, with the primary goal of achieving significant cost reductions, business and legal risk mitigation, and year-over-year improvements in total cost of ownership. This role develops and executes comprehensive sourcing strategies, crafts RFPs, facilitates supplier selection, negotiates contracts, and manages ongoing supplier relationships.

With a strong service orientation toward internal clients and a protective stance on organizational risks, the Category Manager ensures seamless procurement processes that support Thrivent's operations nationwide. Whether managing a specific spend category or providing broad support to business functions, you'll create and maintain critical records in established repositories, draft contracts with legal support, and drive procurement best practices. One Category Manager position may require holding Thrivent's corporate real estate license, ensuring compliance with all related regulations.

Detailed Responsibilities

• Lead the end-to-end strategic sourcing process: define sourcing strategies, develop RFPs and solicitations from vendors, negotiate contracts, draft contract language, and manage post-contract supplier relationships.
• Develop and maintain deep technical and business expertise in assigned spend categories (e.g., IT services, professional services, travel, or real estate).
• Drive ongoing productivity improvements, targeting initial and sustained cost reductions while optimizing total cost of ownership.
• Develop, implement, and manage requisition, purchase order, and fulfillment processes for assigned categories.
• Coach internal clients, resolve vendor disputes, and promote procurement best practices across divisions, departments, and business units.
• Monitor and manage client satisfaction while proactively mitigating organizational risks from third-party suppliers.
• Uphold internal policies, external regulations, and laws; for real estate roles, maintain corporate licensing and comply with leasing regulations.
• Facilitate supplier selection criteria, lead negotiation discussions, and retain transaction records in procurement systems.

Required Skills

Thrivent seeks a Category Manager with proven procurement leadership. Key skills include strategic sourcing, contract negotiation, supplier relationship management, risk assessment, and data-driven decision-making.

Education & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in business, supply chain, finance, or a technical discipline related to the category (e.g., IT for technology sourcing).
• 5+ years of progressive experience in strategic sourcing, procurement, or category management, ideally in financial services or indirect spend.
• Certified Professional in Supply Management (CPSM), Certified Purchasing Manager (CPM), or similar certifications preferred.
• Experience with procurement tools like Ariba, Coupa, or SAP; knowledge of real estate leasing a plus for designated roles.
• Demonstrated success in achieving cost savings and TCO improvements.

Compensation Overview

Competitive base salary plus performance incentives, reflecting experience and category complexity.

Benefits

Thrivent offers comprehensive benefits: medical, dental, vision with low premiums; 401(k) match up to 6%; generous PTO (20+ days/year); paid parental leave; tuition reimbursement; wellness programs; and flexible hybrid schedules. Enjoy employee stock purchase plans, volunteer time off, and access to financial planning services. Thrivent supports whole-person well-being through mental health resources, fitness reimbursements, and faith-based community engagement.

Apply today to shape Thrivent's procurement future!