Category Manager

American Electric Power Co.; Columbus (OH); On-site; USD 116,000 - 151,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive benefits package

Job summary

American Electric Power (AEP) seeks a Senior Project Procurement Manager to lead procurement strategy for large capital projects including EPC contracts and major construction programs. You will partner across Project Management, Engineering, Legal, Finance, and Supply Chain to develop sourcing plans, drive supplier strategies, and ensure commercial objectives align with project timelines and budget.

The role requires a Bachelor’s degree in a related field with 8+ years of experience (or

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required with 8+ years of relevant experience; alternatives include Associate’s degree with 9+ years or High School Diploma with 10+ years.

Responsibilities

• Develop and manage the company’s overall procurement strategy.
• Lead SRM and contract administration across EPC, construction, and services.
• Collaborate with project teams to align buying strategies with program needs.
• Negotiate, award and administer major contracts and supplier terms.
• Drive change management, risk mitigation and cost optimization throughout project lifecycles.

Skills

Project management

Investigation

Process-oriented mindset

Education

Bachelor’s degree in related field

Associate’s degree in related field

High School Diploma or equivalent

Job description

Category : Supply Chain/Logistics/Procurement

Job Summary

Project Procurement Management will serve in a key commercial leadership role supporting the development and construction of the next generation of energy infrastructure. The position will lead project procurement, including strategic sourcing, category management, contracting, and commercial management activities for some of the company’s largest and most complex capital projects and major construction programs, including new natural gas power generation, combined-cycle power plants, renewable energy projects, and energy infrastructure supporting large-load and data center customers.

The position will serve as a key Procurement and commercial partner to major capital project teams, developing and executing project procurement strategies, contracting strategies, sourcing plans, and supplier strategies from early project development and engineering through construction, commissioning, commercial operation, and contract closeout. Responsibilities include leading the negotiation, award, and administration of significant Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC), construction, engineering, major equipment supply, and professional services contracts.

The role will engage directly with leading EPC contractors, Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs), engineering firms, construction contractors, equipment suppliers, and strategic partners. The position will collaborate closely with Project Management, Engineering, Construction, Legal, Finance, Risk Management, Supply Chain, and business leadership to establish commercial and contracting strategies that support successful project execution while protecting the company’s commercial and contractual interests.

Responsibilities extend beyond contract award and include providing commercial leadership and contract management throughout project execution. The position will oversee contract administration, change management, change orders, contractor negotiations, commercial issue resolution, contract claims, milestone and payment management, contractual notices, performance security, warranties, supplier performance, contract compliance, and contract closeout. The role will support project teams in evaluating and resolving complex commercial matters affecting project cost, schedule, contractual risk, supplier performance, and overall project execution.

The position will also develop and implement strategic procurement and sourcing strategies that leverage market intelligence, supplier capabilities, competitive sourcing, Total Cost of Ownership (TCO), enterprise spend, supplier relationship management, and lessons learned across major capital projects. Responsibilities include identifying opportunities to strengthen commercial terms, increase supplier competition, improve contracting strategies, mitigate supply chain and commercial risk, and deliver sustainable value across the company’s power generation and infrastructure portfolio.

The position offers the opportunity to contribute directly to large-scale, technically complex and strategically important energy projects. Through strong procurement, commercial negotiation, EPC contracting, contract management, supplier management, and project execution capabilities, the role will help enable projects that expand generation capacity, advance renewable energy development, and support significant electricity demand growth associated with large-load customers and data center development.

Job Description

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

Bachelor’s degree in related field of study + 8 years of relevant work experience.

(Or) In lieu of Bachelor’s degree must possess an Associate’s degree in related field of study, and a minimum of 9 years of relevant work experience.

(Or) In lieu of Associate’s degree must possess a High School Diploma or equivalent, and a minimum of 10 years of relevant work experience.

Other

• 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.

What You’ll Get

In addition to a competitive compensation, AEP offers a unique comprehensive benefits package that aims to support and enhance the overall well-being of our employees.

Where Putting the Customer First Powers Everything We Do!

At AEP, we’re more than just an energy company — we’re a team of dedicated professionals committed to delivering safe, reliable, and innovative energy solutions. Guided by our mission to put the customer first, we strive to exceed expectations by listening, responding, and continuously improving the way we serve our communities. If you’re passionate about making a meaningful impact and being part of a forward-thinking organization, this is the company for you!

Compensation

$116,255.00 - $151,132.50

Physical Demands

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.

Equal Employment Opportunity

It is hereby reaffirmed that it is the policy of American Electric Power (AEP) to provide Equal Employment Opportunity in all respects of the employer-employee relationship including recruiting, hiring, upgrading and promotion, conditions and privileges of employment, company sponsored training programs, educational assistance, social and recreational programs, compensation, benefits, transfers, discipline, layoffs and termination of employment to all employees and applicants without discrimination because of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), national origin, age, veteran or military status, disability, genetic information, or any other basis prohibited by applicable law. When required by law, we might record certain information or applicants for employment may be invited to voluntarily disclose protected characteristics.

“AEP offers an outstanding group of people to be a part of. The AEP culture values your integrity and awards your hard work.”

This role will be primarily focused on the services, with an emphasis on Construction services categories and other complex, high-value service categories. The individual operates with high degree of autonomy and is responsible for leading major, high-dollar, complex sourcing initiatives, contract development, negotiations, and commercial strategies. Serves as the subject matter expert and strategic procurement lead for assigned categories involving significant spend, complex or customized requirements, and emerging or evolving business needs. Provides strategic sourcing, contracting, and commercial guidance to Category Managers, procurement professionals, business unit stakeholders, and leadership to develop solutions that balance cost, risk, operational requirements, supplier performance and long-term value. Leads the development of the commercial framework and business terms for complex agreements and partners with Legal, Risk, Safety, IT, and other key stakeholders to ensure business objectives are achieved and organizational interests are appropriately protected. Applies strong commercial judgment in structuring contracts, negotiating terms, allocating risk, and developing sourcing strategies that support both immediate business requirements and broader category objectives. Effectively engages and influences business unit leadership and Supply Chain leadership, building alignment across stakeholders and driving procurement initiatives from strategy development through execution. The individual is expected to demonstrate executive-level communication, sound business judgment, strong negotiation capabilities, and the ability to successfully lead complex procurement activities with significant financial, operational, and organizational impact.

AEP offers generous time off, competitive pay, and educational opportunities to help employees advance their careers.

Our culture is purpose-driven and team-oriented: we combine innovation with a customer-first focus to deliver reliable energy and brighter futures.