Category Manager

Position Summary

This position is responsible for the overall management of assigned procurement categories essential to our electric utility operations. This role will serve as the primary procurement business partner to assigned operational units, developing robust category strategies that ensure supply continuity, optimize total cost of ownership, and proactively mitigate supply chain risks inherent to the energy sector.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain Cooperative-wide category strategies that align with business goals for the assigned categories to deliver cost savings, efficiency, and risk mitigation.
• Collaborate with key stakeholders to align procurement strategies with business needs, develop category strategies and implement new agreements or processes.
• Develops and sustains mutually beneficial strategic relationships with category suppliers, conducting regular performance reviews, fosters collaboration on innovation and continuous improvement, and ensuring alignment with the cooperative’s strategic plan.
• Serves as the primary representative to the assigned business unit to represent the procurement process, procurement policy, category management, supplier relationship management, and supplier risk mitigation.
• Participates in effective change management regarding procurement processes, champions new supply management processes and procedures and aids in implementation across the organization as well as with key stakeholders.
• Leads, supervises, supports, and/or executes RFx (RFP, RFQ, RFI) processes for assigned categories and subcontract scopes.
• Facilitates proper scope development within contracts and utilizes strategies to develop performance-based scopes of work.
• Negotiate pricing, contract terms, and delivery schedules with key suppliers to drive cost savings and value creation.
• Maintain the security of confidential information
• Stay abreast of advances in technology
• Demonstrate regular and prompt attendance
• Performs other related duties as necessary or assigned

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Supervisory and/or Leadership Responsibilities

Provide leadership, coaching, and/or mentoring to less experienced staff, May act as lead or first-level supervisor when manager is out of the office.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Knowledge of business and management principles including strategic planning, resource allocation, leadership techniques and budgeting
• Knowledge of using computer systems, which may include setting up and using hardware and software programs, entering data or processing information
• Knowledge of purchasing principles, contracts, strategic sourcing and forecasting
• Knowledge of laws, rules and regulations governing the purchasing of goods and services
• Knowledge of how to benchmark trends to ensure that we remain competitive
• Skilled in engaging and influencing stakeholders, operations leaders, and cross functional teams to align procurement strategies with priorities
• Skilled in monitoring and managing performance
• Skilled in establishing and communicating performance expectations and metrics
• Skilled in time management, prioritizing and managing changing priorities
• Skilled in anticipating, identifying, analyzing and resolving conflict and problems
• Skilled in negotiation techniques
• Ability to handle sensitive and confidential information with the utmost discretion and professionalism
• Ability to lead, manage, influence, and motivate staff through daily operation and Cooperative changes
• Ability to establish goals and objectives
• Ability to manage, monitor, and review contracts, bids, and purchase orders
• Ability to interpret, explain and apply strategic sourcing principles and practices
• Ability to write and review reports, correspondence, procedure manuals and training materials
• Ability to understand and interpret contracts and bid documents.
• Ability to analyze, interpret, review, develop, execute and finalize complex proposals
• Ability to listen, understand and communicate effectively verbally and in writing

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Minimum Qualifications - (Education, Experience)

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field
• Seven years of directly related work experience
• Experience with supplier and subcontractor prequalification, request for proposal solicitation, proposal evaluations, negotiations, risk mitigation approaches, and contract strategies
• Experience in developing strategic supplier partnerships, managing performance scorecards, key performance indicators, and fostering supplier innovation
• Electric utility industry experience preferred

Physical Demands and Work Environment

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• The employee may be required to stand; reach with hands and arms, stoop and kneel
• The employee may be required to sit or stand for long periods of time
• The employee may be required to lift, carry, push, pull or move up to 25 pounds
• The employee may be required to travel
• Exempt employees receive a fixed bi-weekly salary to compensate them for all hours worked during each pay period
• This position may be required to work more than 40 hours per week

This description is intended to indicate the kinds of tasks and levels of work difficulty required of the position given this title and shall not be construed as declaring what the specific duties and responsibilities of any particular position shall be. It is not intended to limit or in any way modify the right of management to assign, direct and control the work of employees under supervision. The listing of essential duties and responsibilities shall not be held to exclude other duties that may be assigned based on the needs of the Cooperative.