Consultant, Procurement Category Mgmt

If you’re passionate about being part of a dynamic organization that enables a Fortune 100 company with nearly $70 billion in annual sales to drive innovation and adopt new technologies that deliver business results, then Nationwide’s Technology team could be the place for you! At Nationwide®, “on your side” goes beyond just words. Our customers are at the center of everything we do and we’re looking for associates who are passionate about delivering extraordinary care. This Consultant role will support Nationwide’s casualty claims organizations across Personal Lines, Commercial Lines, Workers’ Compensation, and Excess & Surplus. This is an indirect procurement role focused on the third-party services, supplier relationships, and contracts that enable claims operations. The consultant will partner with claims stakeholders, Finance, Legal, Risk, and Procurement colleagues to shape sourcing strategies, evaluate options, negotiate agreements, manage supplier performance, and deliver measurable value. Success requires more than technical procurement expertise: strong communication, relationship-building, facilitation, executive presence, adaptability, and the ability to influence without formal authority are essential. The ideal candidate will act as a trusted advisor—translating complex procurement and contract concepts for business partners, navigating competing priorities and ambiguity, and building alignment to achieve practical, sustainable outcomes. The role follows our SuccessFlex model, which includes three remote workdays and two in-office days per week, with an expectation to be on-site in our Columbus OH office primarily on Tuesdays and Wednesdays for team collaboration. This role does not qualify for employer sponsored work authorization. Nationwide does not participate in the STEM OPT extension program. #LI-MS2 #LI-HYBRID Job Description Summary Procuring goods and services necessary to successfully run and grow our business is critical. Whether working to enable the processes that support buying decisions or finding the best supplier, price or contract terms, we bring expertise, skill and talent to the task. If you are collaborative, a top-level communicator, highly ethical and have the ability to manage key relationships by providing outstanding service, we want to know more about you! As a Consultant, you'll be responsible for the procurement and acquisition of goods and services for Nationwide that deliver near and long term sourcing value. We'll count on you to enhance processes and drive efficiency. You'll have opportunities to advise business units on the acquisition of complex, specialized and highly technical products and services, including SAAS software licenses, offshore outsourcing, Marketing, Employee Benefits and more.

Key Responsibilities:   Partners and collaborates with Business Partners, Finance, Technology and other Procurement team members to manage new sourcing requests, current contract pipelines for multimillion dollar categories and vendor agreements.  Works with reporting teams to develop data analytics and suggests revisions to Procurement policy and procedures to ensure a predictable, easy-to-follow and efficient procurement process. Conducts advanced, continuous industry research and benchmark analysis within a defined spend category. Establishes a category strategy for a highly technical domain, monitors purchasing trends and identifies top suppliers and innovations within the category. Works with Business Partners to manage Business Unit and Procurement relationship by building forecasts of demand, service levels requirements, Total Cost of Ownership models, contractual and other risk requirements (by category domain, actual and forecasted spend), identifying cost reduction opportunities, and developing recommendations. Acts as a Project Manager with business partners, Finance, Technology as needed.  Facilitates moderately complex to complex