Category Manager

aep; Columbus (OH); On-site; USD 116,000 - 151,000; Full time

Job summary

American Electric Power (AEP) is seeking a lead for procurement projects and sourcing categories to oversee the entire spend lifecycle. The role drives strategic sourcing, supplier relationship management, and contract execution to achieve corporate savings goals and optimize working capital.

Ideal candidates have a Bachelor degree in a related field and 5+ years in Supply Chain or Fleet roles, with MBA preferred.

Qualifications

• Bachelor Degree in Supply Management/Logistics, Business Administration, Engineering or related fields of study.
• 5 years in Supply Chain / Fleet or related experience.
• MBA or Purchasing certification is preferred but not required.
• Experience of lean manufacture, kaizen, continuous improvement or similar production tools preferred.

Responsibilities

• Develop and manage the company's overall strategy with the aim of controlling costs within budgetary limits, generating savings, rationalizing inventory and maximizing available working capital.
• Manage implementation and ongoing activities of the Company's strategy by establishing implementation timing, support resources, standardization events and developing communication tools to introduce programs.
• Perform supplier relationship management (SRM) function and contract administration functions for the various programs.
• Work with Supply Chain teams to ensure buying strategies and contracts align with inventory strategies and Operating Company needs.
• Leverage technology to create internal process efficiencies.
• Communicate program performance metrics to the appropriate levels of management.
• Work with Business Units and Supply Chain on demand management strategies.
• Assist in optimization of logistics processes; works closely with other supply chain members to develop innovative solutions to ongoing operating problems.

Skills

Procurement strategy

Contract administration

Supplier relationships

Project management

Education

Bachelor Degree in Supply Management/Logistics

MBA preferred

Job description

Job Posting End Date 09-29-2026 Please note the job posting will close on the day before the posting end date.

Job Summary

Act as lead for assigned Procurement projects and sourcing categories. Oversee the entire spend lifecycle for assigned categories, providing leadership to team members in a variety of strategic areas including sourcing, procurement, contracts, supplier relationship management, inventory management and material standardization. Highly advanced level of knowledge and responsibility for developing, negotiating, executing and maintaining strategic sourcing agreements for specific categories for the procurement of materials, equipment and/or services used by AEP internal customers. This position will identify cost reduction opportunities and capture real Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) savings (direct or indirect) by aggregating sourcing volumes. This position's primary responsibility is to develop and execute strategic project-driven sourcing activities for a variety of market baskets that are normally associated with high-spend, high-impact, and often complex categories across multiple business unit stakeholders. Develop and implement strategies to achieve corporate savings goals. Establish effective relationships and work collaboratively with Business Unit customers, and suppliers to maintain customer satisfaction. Interface with Business Unit leadership to report ongoing progress to goals. Champion new initiatives that will support shared business objectives, support the business unit partner's needs, and enable the company to efficiently operate in a competitive and changing environment. Strategies will be developed in a collaborative effort between Supply Chain, Procurement, and the various Business Units and Operating Companies impacted by the program. Ensure corporate spend and savings goals are incorporated into the sourcing strategy and contracts. Develop and manage metrics/measurements to record the progress and actions related to the program processes.

Job Description

Where Putting the Customer First Powers Everything We Do!

What You’ll Do:

• Develop and manage the company's overall strategy with the aim of controlling costs within budgetary limits, generating savings, rationalizing inventory and maximizing available working capital.
• Manage implementation and ongoing activities of the Company's strategy by establishing implementation timing, support resources (analysis, bench marking, contract development and maintenance, etc.), standardization events and developing communication tools to introduce programs.
• Perform supplier relationship management (SRM) function and contract administration functions for the various programs.
• Work with Supply Chain teams to ensure buying strategies and contracts align with inventory strategies and Operating Company needs.
• Leverage technology to create internal process efficiencies.
• Communicate program performance metrics to the appropriate levels of management.
• Work with Business Units and Supply Chain on demand management strategies.
• Assist in optimization of logistics processes; works closely with other supply chain members to develop innovative solutions to ongoing operating problems.

What We’re Looking For:

• Education: Bachelor Degree in Supply Management/Logistics, Business Administration, Engineering or related fields of study.
• Experience: 5 years in Supply Chain / Fleet or related experience.

Additional Expectations:

• Project management skills, investigative nature and process-oriented mind set are needed for this role.
• MBA or Purchasing certification is preferred but not required.
• Experience of lean manufacture, kaizen, continuous improvement or similar production tools preferred.

IDEAL CANDIDATE (preferred not required):

In addition to the minimum requirements, the ideal candidate will have 8 years of Supply Chain or related experience; also, experience in utilities or operations/manufacturing settings.

What You’ll Get:

5 openings are expected to be filled.

Expected Salary Range: $117,000.00-$127,000.00/Yr. (USD)

Compensation Data

Compensation Grade: SP20-009

Compensation Range: $116,255.00 - $151,132.50

The Physical Demand Level for this job is: S - Sedentary Work: Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally (Occasionally: activity or condition exists up to 1/3 of the time) and/or a negligible amount of force frequently. (Frequently: activity or condition exists from 1/3 to 2/3 of the time) to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time but may involve walking or standing for brief periods of time. Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required only occasionally, and all other sedentary criteria are met.

It is hereby reaffirmed that it is the policy of American Electric Power (AEP) to