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Category Management Director - Patient Transportation Contracting

Vizient · Chicago, IL · $102,400–$179,000 a year · Full time

Posted Sep 24, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 5, 2026

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Likely interview questions for this role

Written from this job description, not a generic list. Each one notes what the interviewer is really checking.

About your past

Tell me about a negotiation with a service provider where you had little leverage. What did you do?

What they are checking: Whether they can create leverage in markets with few suppliers.

Tell me about a time you delivered sustainable savings, not just a one-time win.

What they are checking: Whether they think about long-term savings that hold up after the contract is signed.

What would you do

The client is based in California. What regulatory or market factors would you research first?

What they are checking: Whether they know to account for state-specific rules and the local supplier market before negotiating.

How would you build a strong relationship with a client team while delivering hard messages about cost?

What they are checking: Whether they can be a trusted client-facing advisor while pushing for change.

How do you optimize a transportation network when clinical teams prioritize speed and finance prioritizes cost?

What they are checking: Whether they can balance patient safety with financial goals in transport decisions.

How would you work with care at home teams and other functions on a transportation initiative?

What they are checking: Whether they can coordinate cross-functional partners to deliver a client-wide strategy.

About the work

How would you build a category strategy for air ambulance, helicopter transport and ground ambulance services for a large health system?

What they are checking: Whether they understand the different economics and constraints across transport modes.

What makes contracting for patient transportation different from other service categories?

What they are checking: Whether they understand that response times, clinical capability and coverage drive value, not just price.

How do you use data to find opportunities to lower total cost of care in patient transportation?

What they are checking: Whether they can analyze transport volumes, modes and appropriateness to find savings.

What performance metrics would you put into an ambulance services contract?

What they are checking: Whether they can hold providers accountable for response times, availability and quality.

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The full job description

As published by Vizient.

When you’re the best, we’re the best. We instill an environment where employees feel engaged, satisfied and able to contribute their unique skills and talents while living and working as their authentic selves . We provide extensive opportunities for personal and professional development, building both employee competence and organizational capability to fuel exceptional performance through an inclusive environment both now and in the future. Summary: In this role, you will serve as a client-facing leader supporting Care at Home Services initiatives for a California-based client. You will develop and execute category management strategies for Patient Transportation services, including air ambulance, helicopter transport, and ground ambulance transportation. You will lead strategic sourcing and contract negotiations, build collaborative client and supplier relationships, and identify opportunities to improve total cost of care. You will leverage analytics, market intelligence, and cross-functional partnerships to deliver sustainable savings, optimize transportation networks, and support strategic initiatives that advance client objectives and organizational performance. Responsibilities: • Develop and execute category management strategies for air ambulance, helicopter transport, ground ambulance, and related Patient Transportation service categories. • Lead strategic sourcing initiatives, including RFP development, supplier evaluations, contract negotiations, and implementation activities for transportation service providers. • Analyze transportation spend, utilization patterns, market trends, and supplier performance to identify cost savings opportunities and drive informed decision-making. • Establish and maintain collaborative relationships with clients, transportation providers, and cross-functional stakeholders to support category objectives. • Develop sustainable fee schedules, transportation cost management strategies, and savings initiatives that improve total cost of care. • Negotiate complex transportation contracts and commercial terms to achieve favorable financial, operational, and service outcomes. • Partner with Legal, Finance, Procurement Operations, Supply Chain, and other stakeholders to support sourcing and contracting activities. • Leverage analytics, market intelligence, and digital tools to enhance transportation category performance and support source-to-pay processes. • Drive change management efforts associated with transportation sourcing strategies, category management, and operational improvement initiatives. • Support sustainability objectives, governance requirements, internal controls, compliance activities, and continuous process improvement efforts. Qualifications: • Relevant degree preferred. • 7 or more years of relevant experience required. • Experience sourcing, contracting, or managing healthcare transportation services, including air ambulance, helicopter transport, and ground ambulance providers highly preferred. • Strong understanding of transportation network economics, reimbursement models, utilization drivers, and service delivery considerations preferred. • Experience employing strategic sourcing methodologies and e xperience leading large-scale contract negotiations and supplier management initiatives. • Excellent client relationship management, communication, and stakeholder engagement skills. • Master's degree and professional certifications such as C.P.M. or APICS a plus. #LI-AC Estimated Hiring Range: At Vizient, we consider skills, experience, and organizational needs in our compensation approach. Geographic factors may adjust the range estimate and hires typically fall below the top range. Compensation decisions are tailored to individual circumstances. The current salary range for this role is $102,400.00 to $179,000.00. This position is also incentive eligible. Vizient has a comprehensive benefits plan! Please view our benefits here: http://www.vizientinc.com/about-us/careers Equal Opportunity Employer: Females/Minorities/Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities The Company is committed to equal employment opportunity to all employees and applicants without regard to race, religion, color, gender identity, ethnicity, age, national origin, sexual orientation, disability status, veteran status or any other category protected by applicable law.

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