Category Leader

The Corporate; Oakland (CA); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

The Corporate is seeking a Category Leader, Expert in Oakland, CA to lead IT sourcing category management, create and optimize supplier contracts, and drive negotiations for high-dollar spends. This role partners with business lines, suppliers, and internal stakeholders to deliver value and reduce total cost of ownership.

The candidate should have strong experience in IT software/hardware categories, contract development, and supplier relationship management to ensure favorable terms and risk

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience.
• Seven years in supply chain or related field.
• Experience in category management for IT sourcing and contract creation.
• Strong negotiation skills for high-dollar contracts.

Responsibilities

• Conducts and documents market research and supplier risk analysis.
• Creates and maintains category plans.
• Develops and reviews supplier performance data, working with suppliers to drive value.
• Develops and sustains strategic relationships with Tier 1 and Tier 2 IT suppliers.
• Leads cross-functional teams through strategic sourcing and development and execution of negotiation strategies.
• Leads development of category strategies of medium complexity.
• Maintains awareness of industry and market trends.
• Serves as the subject matter expert for specific commodities or services.

Skills

Category management

IT sourcing

Contract creation

High-dollar negotiations

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree

Tools

Excel

Word

PowerPoint

Access

SAP

ERP

Teradata

COSO

Question Mark

Job description

Job Title: Category Leader, Expert

Location: Oakland, CA

Notes

Notes: ASSIGNMENT IS HYBRID AND NEED TO COME TO OGO 3-5 DAYS A MONTH DEPENDING ON BUSINESS NEEDS.

• Top three qualifications or attributes HM will prioritize when reviewing initial resumes: Experience in Category management for IT Sourcing. Experience in Contract creation. Experience with high dollar negotiations.

• Top skill sets HM will be looking for in a candidate (technical expertise & soft skills)? See above and job description

Job Description

Key Responsibilities

• Conducts and documents market research and supplier risk analysis to verify the financial health of existing and potential suppliers.
• Creates and maintains category plans.
• Develops and reviews supplier performance data, working collaboratively with suppliers to drive ongoing value discovery.
• Develops and sustains mutually beneficial strategic relationships with Tier 1 and Tier 2 IT software and hardware suppliers.
• Leads cross-functional teams through the strategic sourcing process and the development and execution of negotiation strategies for mid-complexity spend categories.
• Leads the development of category strategies of medium complexity.
• Maintains awareness of industry and market trends through ongoing research.
• Serves as the subject matter expert for specific commodities or services.

Skills

• Develops and manages one or more sourcing spend categories and oversees a delegated portion of Tier 1 and Tier 2 software and hardware contracts.
• Develops strategic category plans to optimize cost savings, service excellence, diversity spend, and total cost of ownership.
• Effectively influences Lines of Business (LOBs), including senior leadership, to achieve understanding, acceptance, and commitment to sourcing strategies.
• Partners with Lines of Business (LOBs) to develop sourcing strategies and negotiate major contracts.
• Plays a key role in the Supplier Relationship Management (SRM) and supplier scorecard process.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, and Technical Competencies Desired

• Ability to analyze and synthesize information from multiple sources and apply sound judgment to reach appropriate conclusions.
• Ability to apply contract processes, procedures, and relevant contract and licensing requirements (e.g., ESC, IBEW, tort law, contract law) as needed to perform the role.
• Ability to work independently with limited oversight.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, including Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and Access.
• Competency in building relationships and communicating effectively with diverse groups of people.
• Competency in building partnerships and collaborating with others to achieve shared objectives.
• Competency in building strong-identity teams that leverage diverse skills and perspectives to accomplish common goals.
• Knowledge of the technical and functional aspects of the trade, occupation, or role as required.
• Ability to apply project management theories, concepts, methods, best practices, and techniques.
• Knowledge of database and information systems, including SCADA, EMS, OMT, OIS, SAP, ERP, COSO, Teradata, COBIT, and Question Mark, as required for the role.

Education

Minimum

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience.

Preferred

• Master's degree in Business Administration or a related discipline, or equivalent experience.

Licenses/Certifications Preferred

• Certified Professional in Supply Management (CPSM) -- Institute for Supply Management (ISM).
• Lean Six Sigma (LSS) Certification.

Experience

Minimum

• Seven (7) years of experience in supply chain or a related field.

Preferred

• Experience in contract management.
• Eight (8) years of experience in strategic sourcing.
• Eight (8) years of experience in procurement or a related field.