Category Lead

VARITE INC

Oakland (CA)

Hybrid

USD 120,000 - 160,000

Full time

14 days+

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Job summary

A global consulting and staffing firm is seeking a Category Leader, Expert in Oakland, CA. In this mid-senior level role, you'll drive strategic sourcing and procurement for energy utilities, ensuring cost efficiency and supplier performance. Ideal candidates possess a Bachelor's Degree, 8 years of procurement experience, and strong analytical and negotiation skills. This full-time position offers a hybrid work model and competitive compensation.

Qualifications

Minimum 6 years of experience in sourcing.
8 years of procurement experience, preferably in the utility or energy sectors.
Proven ability to negotiate and develop contracts.

Responsibilities

Lead strategic category planning and supplier negotiations.
Manage contracts ensuring regulatory compliance.
Develop and implement category plans for sourcing.

Skills

Analytical skills

Negotiation

Relationship management

Project management

Microsoft Office proficiency

Supplier partnership development

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration or Supply Chain Management

Master’s Degree in Business Administration

LSS-Lean Six Sigma Certification

PMP-Project Management Professional certification

ISM-CPSM certification

Tools

ARIBA

SAP

Job description

Base pay range

$120,000.00/yr - $160,000.00/yr

Direct message the job poster from VARITE INC

Sr. Manager - Client Services at Varite Inc

VARITE is looking for a qualified Transmission Planning Engineer for one of its clients.

WHAT THE CLIENT DOES?

The company started out as a hardware/software vendor, but over time added more subscription-based services.

WHAT WE DO?

Established in the Year 2000, VARITE is an award-winning minority business enterprise providing global consulting & staffing services to Fortune 1000 companies and government agencies. With 850+ global consultants, VARITE is committed to delivering excellence to its customers by leveraging its global experience and expertise in providing comprehensive scientific, engineering, technical, and non-technical staff augmentation and talent acquisition services.

HERE'S WHAT YOU’LL DO:

Job Title: Category Leader, Expert

Location: Oakland, CA

Full Time Direct hire

Work Mode: Hybrid

Description:

STRAIGHT FTE/ Client's DIRECT HIRE; ACTUAL TITLE: Category Leader, Expert

Department Overview

The Procurement organization is the functional lead for the procurement of materials and services. The department collaborates with internal clients and suppliers managing more than $12 billion of annual company spend to develop mutually beneficial total value solutions for goods and services. The department provides the following services to internal clients: procurement of goods and services, strategic sourcing and cost savings, category management, supplier relationship management, supplier diversity planning, execution and outreach, compliance management, ongoing procurement field support and management of the source to pay cycle.

Position Summary

As a Category Lead, you will play a critical role in optimizing the sourcing and procurement strategy for one of the nation’s largest gas and electric utilities, ensuring cost efficiency, supplier performance, and risk mitigation. You will lead strategic category planning, supplier negotiations, and contract management to drive value, resilience, and sustainability across the supply chain. Partnering with and influencing key internal stakeholders and leveraging market intelligence, you will develop and execute category strategies that align with business objectives, regulatory requirements, and industry best practices. This high-impact role requires a balance of analytical expertise, relationship management, and strategic vision to enhance operational excellence and support commitment to safe, reliable, and sustainable energy.

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
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
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
Competency in developing strategic supplier partnerships, managing performance scorecards, and fostering supplier-driven innovation
Competency in engaging and influencing 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
Competency in applying 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
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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VARITE is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status

Seniority level