Category Lead (Supply Chain)

Sedaa corp; Oakland (CA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading utility procurement company is seeking a Category Lead in Oakland, California. In this role, you will optimize sourcing and procurement strategies, ensuring cost efficiency and supplier performance. Key responsibilities include leading category planning and negotiations, developing category strategies, and engaging stakeholders. The ideal candidate has a Bachelor's in Business or Supply Chain, over 6 years of sourcing experience, and strong analytical and negotiation skills. Join us to drive value and sustainability in our operations.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 6 years of experience in sourcing.
• 8 years of work experience in procurement or supply chain management, preferably in utilities or energy sectors.
• Strong ability to lead high-value negotiations.
• Competency in applying project management theories and concepts.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement category plans and sourcing strategies.
• Lead competitive bidding processes including RFPs and negotiations.
• Negotiate and manage contracts for compliance and industry standards.
• Build strategic relationships with category suppliers.

Skills

Category management

Analytical skills

Negotiation

Relationship management

Project management

Supplier management

Stakeholder engagement

Communication

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

Microsoft Office

Job description

Overview

• Looking for candidates with strong, full-cycle sourcing experience for our major utility client. Need someone who have demonstrated longevity and depth in specific categories. Candidates should have end-to-end category management experience: from strategy development through implementation to vendor management.
• Strong expertise in category management, with deep understanding of pricing models, supply bases, and the nuances across consulting subcategories.

Position Summary

As a Category Lead, you will play a critical role in optimizing the sourcing and procurement strategy for our client, 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 client’s 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)