Category Lead I

EPRI; Charlotte (NC); On-site; USD 60,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

annual incentive program

medical

dental

vision

401k

STD/LTD

paid family leave

life and accident insurance

paid time off

Job summary

EPRI is seeking a Category Lead I in Charlotte, NC to manage sourcing negotiations, vendor relationships, and market analysis. The role emphasizes cost savings, risk assessment, and cross-functional collaboration within the Sourcing and Procurement team.

Qualifications include 2+ years in supply chain or related fields and an undergraduate degree or commensurate experience. Proficiency with SAP MM/SRM is a plus, with a focus on delivering value across multiple spend categories.

Qualifications

• 2+ years of relevant experience in supply chain, vendor administration, 3rd party contract negotiations or supplier diversity.
• Undergraduate degree or commensurate experience in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration Paralegal, or related field.
• Experience negotiating commercial acquisition terms and conditions; ability to draft basic agreement prose.
• Familiar with procure-to-pay processes and ERP systems.

Responsibilities

• Under guidance, negotiates sourcing agreements and acquisition terms with contract risk awareness.
• Tracks cost savings and reports on economic value and avoidance.
• Supports risk analyses for moderate/high-risk arrangements and documents decisions.
• Identifies strategic vendors and assists in continuity-of-business planning.
• Monitors vendor performance and conducts routine reviews of accounts/relationships.
• Develops category strategies and reports progress with guidance.
• Collaborates with internal stakeholders and aligns with department objectives.
• Participates in special projects as assigned by sourcing leadership.

Skills

Negotiation

Vendor management

Market analysis

Category strategy

Internal collaboration

Communication

Project management

Data analysis

Education

Undergraduate degree or commensurate experience

Tools

SAP MM

SRM

Job description

Job Title

Category Lead I

Location

Charlotte, NC, North Carolina Home Office

Position Type

Full time

Job Summary and Description

Key Responsibilities

Acquisition Terms Negotiation:

• Under guidance, negotiates sourcing agreements and acquisition terms with an understanding of contract risk; drafts agreement terms that ensure business needs and compliance are met while accurately reflecting the arrangement between the parties
• Negotiates favorable economic value with a “total cost” perspective, and tracks and reports cost savings and avoidance; evaluates financial proposals, brings to manager’s attention sources with poor financial performance
• Supports in the development of a risk analysis matrix for moderate and high-risk arrangements and presents cases for, and documents business decisions

Vendor Management:

• Identifies strategic vendors, and assists in the development of a continuity-of-business plan with alternate sources of supply
• Identifies, and aids in the selection of, sources of supply
• Monitors vendor performance; engages with strategic vendors by developing collaborative relationships and under guidance works to align EPRI-vendor objectives; conducts routine review of the account/relationship
• With guidance, works to (1) identify opportunities for consolidation of supply base, and (2) identify RFX opportunities; with manager or designee support, (a) conducts RFX events and ensures objective, documented contract awards, and (b) formulates business cases with objective information/data
• Resolves vendor non-compliance, brings to manager’s attention cases requiring dispute resolution, and performs agreement cancellations and terminations unrelated to performance issues

Market Analysis:

• Keeps updated on trends in industries related to assigned category, remains informed about developments in other parts of the organization that have impact on acquisitions/procurement
• Surveys market conditions; identifies, makes recommendations and aids in the selection of, best sources of supply

Spend Category Strategy Development:

• With guidance, develops category acquisition strategies, monitors, and reports progress
• Helps manage organizational change that results from implementation of category-based acquisition strategies

Internal Dynamics, Collaboration and Communication:

• Develops and maintains collaborative relationships with internal clients and stakeholders, is aware of category budgets, client needs and departmental strategies, understands overall company objectives (raises conflicting objectives to the attention of manager); reviews acquisition scopes for value and compliance
• Develops ideas and strategies to improve operational efficiency to add value for stakeholders and the Sourcing Team
• Participates in special projects and assumes other duties which may be assigned to support the department as designated by the Manager of Sourcing and Procurement and/or the Director of the Sourcing Team

Education and Experience

• 2+ years of relevant experience in supply chain, vendor administration, 3rd party contract negotiations or supplier diversity
• Undergraduate degree or commensurate experience, preferably in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration Paralegal, or a related field. Certified Purchasing Professional Designation a plus
• Some understanding of, and experience negotiating commercial acquisition terms and conditions – with the ability to use/draft basic agreement prose
• Basic understanding of the generic procure-to-pay process
• Outstanding listening, and oral and written communication skills
• Familiar with applicable rules, regulations and norms as they apply to acquisitions (i.e., independent contractor status classifications, internal controls and fraud prevention, etc.)
• Knowledge of a category industry is a plus
• Experience working with an ERP system (SAP MM, SRM are desirable, but familiarity with other systems is also a plus)
• Ability to manage projects, prioritize and delegate work

Skills and Attributes

• Self-starter capable of working independently, managing deadlines and competing workloads, making informed decisions and seeking advice/decisions from others when needed
• Diplomatic, collaborative relationship builder
• Strong organizational, problem solving and interpersonal skills
• Experience working with data (analysis, clean-up, presentation)

The salary range for this position is $60,000 USD to $70,000 USD annually. This salary range is an estimate, and the actual salary may vary based on various factors, including without limitation applicant's education, experience, skills, and abilities, as well as internal equity and alignment with market data. The salary may also be adjusted based on applicant's geographic location. This role is eligible to participate in EPRI’s annual incentive program. The amount of incentive varies and is subject to the terms and conditions of the plan. This role is eligible to participate in EPRI’s standard employee benefit programs, which currently include the following: medical, dental, vision, 401k, STD/LTD and paid family leave, life and accident insurance, paid time off (flexible vacation, sick leave, and holiday pay).

Benefits

• annual incentive program
• The amount of incentive varies and is subject to the terms and conditions of the plan.
• medical
• dental
• vision
• 401k
• STD/LTD
• paid family leave
• life and accident insurance
• paid time off (flexible vacation, sick leave, and holiday pay)

EPRI participates in E-Verify, an online system operated jointly by the Department of Homeland Security and the Social Security Administration (SSA). EPRI uses the system to check the work status of new hires by comparing information from the employee's I-9 form against SSA and Department of Homeland Security databases.

EPRI is an equal opportunity employer. EEO/AA/M/F/VETS/Disabled

Equal employment opportunity, including veterans and individuals with disabilities.