Senior Category Manager - Expert Network Services

Procurement Senior Category Manager - Expert Network Services

Do you want to work on complex and pressing challenges-the kind that bring together curious, ambitious, and determined leaders who strive to become better every day? If this sounds like you, you've come to the right place. Your Impact As Senior Category Manager for Expert Network Services (ENS), you will lead one of the firm's most strategically significant and highest-risk categories as part of the External Capabilities and Insights (eC&I) team. ENS underpins thousands of client engagements annually by enabling distinctive expert discovery; connecting our teams with the right voices at the right moment to sharpen insights, accelerate problem solving, and elevate client impact. You will be the firm's owner for our ENS Category, accountable for setting a bold, multi-year strategy and ensuring its disciplined execution. This includes securing a robust governance model, embedding risk and compliance processes, and giving client teams the confidence to engage external experts quickly and safely. You will create a safe space for ENS-powered assets ensuring call transcripts, GenAI-enabled insights, and other outputs are developed and used in line with firm standards on IP, confidentiality, and data privacy. At the same time, you will drive operational excellence, stronger automation, onboarding and payment controls, robust supplier KPIs, and strategic negotiations that enhance quality, resilience, and economics. You will also lead the firm's engagement with our largest suppliers, shaping the roadmap, negotiating at scale, and unlocking new models for how McKinsey discovers and leverages experts globally. Your mandate is not only to manage ENS, but to reimagine how the firm accesses external expertise creating new pathways for speed, quality, and safe innovation. The role demands visible leadership and convenorship across the firm. You will align Practice leaders, Risk, Legal, Compliance, and Optimize around a unified agenda. You will set the drumbeat for category priorities, ensuring decisions move at pace, initiatives advance with urgency, and progress is tracked with rigor. By doing so, you will transform ENS into a strategically governed category that supports innovation while protecting the firm. Beyond category leadership, you will invest in building the next generation of leaders within eC&I. You will serve as sponsor and mentor to colleagues, creating an apprenticeship culture that grows distinctive talent while modeling the judgment, stewardship, and inclusive leadership expected at this level. You will also act as a critical thought partner to the Global Director of eC&I, helping to shape priorities across service lines and contributing visibly to cross-firm initiatives. This is a role where strategic judgment, convenorship, and execution converge : you will set direction, establish governance, and sustain the steady drumbeat of progress that defines how McKinsey discovers, scales, and safeguards expertise in an increasingly complex, fast-moving environment. Your Growth You are someone who thrives in a high-performance environment, bringing a growth mindset and entrepreneurial spirit to tackle meaningful challenges that have a real impact. In return for your drive, determination, and curiosity, we'll provide the resources, mentorship, and opportunities to help you quickly broaden your expertise, grow into a well-rounded professional, and contribute to work that truly makes a difference. When you join us, you will have : Continuous learning : Our learning and apprenticeship culture, backed by structured programs, is all about helping you grow while creating an environment where feedback is clear, actionable, and focused on your development. The real magic happens when you take the input from others to heart and embrace the fast-paced learning experience, owning your journey. A voice that matters : From day one, we value your ideas and contributions. You'll make a tangible impact by offering innovative ideas and practical solutions, all while upholding our unwavering commitment to ethics and integrity. We not only encourage diverse perspectives, but they are critical in driving us toward the best possible outcomes. Global community : With colleagues across 65+ countries and over 100 different nationalities, our firm's diversity fuels creativity and helps us come up with the best solutions. Plus, you'll have the opportunity to learn from exceptional colleagues with diverse backgrounds and experiences. Exceptional benefits : In addition to a competitive salary (based on your location, experience, and skills), we offer a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, mental health, and vision coverage for you, your spouse / partner, and children. Your Qualifications and Skills Bachelor's degree required; MBA or advanced degree preferred 10+ years of relevant experience in consulting, category management, or research / knowledge management. Deep expertise in external capabilities strategy, with a strong understanding of supplier ecosystems, contracting models, and governance frameworks Demonstrated experience leading complex, high-impact initiatives with senior-level visibility and cross-functional engagement Proven ability to work across senior stakeholder groups - practices, CSTs, Legal, Risk, Finance, and Optimize; with credibility and influence Strong commercial acumen and experience with vendor negotiations, financial performance tracking, and cost / value optimization Experience managing outsourced service models and driving adoption of third-party capabilities in professional services or client-service environments Familiarity with GenAI enabled solutions and innovation integration is a strong plus Structured problem solver with advanced analytical and decision-making capabilities Strong leadership presence with the ability to coach, develop, and inspire high-performing teams Entrepreneurial mindset, resilient under pressure, and energized by ambiguity and ownership Outstanding written and verbal communication skills; able to distill complex challenges into clear, compelling insights for senior audiences