Position : Category Manager – Materials / Category Manager – IT & Software / Category Manager – Indirect/ Category Manager – Construction Services

Job Location : Oakland, CA - Hybrid

Type : Fulltime

Summary of Job:

This position is hybrid, working from your remote office and your assigned work location based on business need. Preferred work location is Oakland, CA, but other locations may be considered. The assigned work location will be within the Client Service Territory. Final work location will be determined between the hiring leader and successful candidate.

Job Responsibilities

• Develops and implements category plans and sourcing strategies for low-to-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 suppliers, conducting regular performance reviews, fostering collaboration 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 low-to-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
• 8 years of experience in sourcing

Desired:

• 6 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
• Strong analytical skills with experience leveraging spend analytics, cost modeling, and digital procurement tools to optimize category strategies
• Competency in building partnerships and working collaboratively with others to meet shared objectives
• Ability to develop strategic supplier partnerships, managing performance scorecards, and fostering supplier-driven innovation
• Ability to engage and influence senior stakeholders, operations leaders, and legal teams, to align procurement strategies with business priorities
• Competency in building and leading strong-identity teams that apply their diverse skills and perspectives to achieve common goals
• Ability to apply project management theories, concepts, methods, best practices, and techniques as needed to perform at the job level
• Knowledge of database and information systems – e.g., ARIBA, SAP, etc. – as needed to perform at the job level
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office products – e.g., Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Access – as needed to perform at the job level
• Ability to lead cross-functional teams and to drive projects of low-to-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)

Best Regards

Abilash George