Job Description

Job Description

Title: Category Leader, Expert

Work Type: Hybrid (3 days onsite and 2 days remote)

Job Location: Oakland CA or San Ramon CA

Job Responsibilities

• Acts as subject matter expert for particular categories or services.
• Develops and implements category plans and sourcing strategies for medium complexity categories that optimize cost, mitigate risk, and ensure supply continuity.
• Leads competitive bidding processes including RFPs, RFIs, and negotiations to secure best-value agreements.
• Negotiates, drafts, and manages contracts to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements, corporate policies, and industry standards.
• Develops and sustains mutually beneficial strategic relationships with category suppliers, conducting regular performance reviews, fostering collaboration on innovation and continuous improvement, and ensuring alignment with the company’s safety, reliability, and sustainability goals.
• Partners with and influences cross-functional stakeholders and teams in developing sourcing and negotiation strategies for medium complexity spend categories
• Maintains awareness of industry and market trends, supplier landscapes, and regulatory changes to drive informed decision-making and strategic sourcing initiatives.
• Conducts and documents market research and supplier risk analysis to verify the financial health of existing and potential suppliers.

Qualifications

Minimum:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration, Supply Chain Management or job-related discipline or equivalent experience
• 6 years of experience in sourcing

Desired:

• 8 years of work experience in procurement, sourcing, or supply chain management, preferably in the utility, energy, or infrastructure sectors
• Experience sourcing in Consulting / Professional Services, Construction / Related Services, or Materials
• Proven ability to lead high-value negotiations, develop contract structures, and drive favorable outcomes
• Knowledge of database and information systems – e.g., ARIBA, SAP, etc. – as needed to perform at the job level
• Competency in leading cross-functional teams and to drive projects of medium complexity
• Strong written and verbal skills
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office
• Master’s Degree in Business Administration or job-related discipline or equivalent experience
• LSS-Lean Six Sigma Certification
• PMP-Project Management Professional certification
• ISM-Institute for Supply Management CPSM-Certified Professional in Supply Management certification, or similar certification(s)

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