Category Manager - Energy and Services

Ardagh Group; Indianapolis (IN); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health plans

HSA/FSA

401(k) match

Paid holidays

Disability insurance

EAP

Tuition reimbursement

Career development

Day-1 benefits

Hybrid work hours

Job summary

Ardagh Group is seeking a Category Manager – Energy and Services to develop and execute sourcing strategies for indirect spend including energy, environmental services, facility services, and employee-related services.

You will partner with Operations, Engineering, EHS, HR, and Finance to ensure cost optimization, risk mitigation, and alignment with sustainability goals across multiple sites.

Qualifications

• 5+ years procurement or category management experience, preferably in energy/utilities/indirect spend.
• Strong negotiation and contract management experience.
• Experience managing complex, multi-site spend portfolios.
• Knowledge of energy markets (electricity, natural gas) and/or environmental services.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute category strategies for Energy & Services.
• Manage total spend across energy supply, utilities, waste, water, facility, and employee services.
• Identify cost reduction, value engineering, and demand management opportunities.
• Establish category roadmaps, supplier consolidation, and long-term contracting strategies.
• Lead end-to-end sourcing activities including RFPs, negotiations, supplier selection, and contract execution.
• Negotiate terms, pricing structures, and service agreements.
• Ensure contracts define scope, SLAs, KPIs, and risk allocation.
• Collaborate with Legal and Finance on contractual compliance and financial discipline.
• Manage key supplier relationships across energy providers and environmental vendors.
• Establish KPIs and conduct regular supplier reviews.
• Drive continuous improvement with strategic suppliers.

Skills

Procurement experience

Negotiation

Contract management

Multi-site spend

Energy markets knowledge

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain/Engineering/Business

Job description

Role Description

The Category Manager – Energy and Services is responsible for developing and executing sourcing strategies across a broad portfolio of indirect spend, including energy (electricity, natural gas, fuels), environmental services (waste, water, and sustainability), facility services, and employee‑related services (benefits, uniforms, and ancillary services). This role partners cross‑functionally with Operations, Engineering, EHS, HR, and Finance to ensure competitive sourcing, cost optimization, risk mitigation, and alignment with sustainability and business objectives.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute comprehensive category strategies for Energy & Services, aligned with company financial, operational, and sustainability objectives.
• Manage total spend across energy supply, utilities, waste management, water treatment, facility services, and employee services.
• Identify cost reduction, value engineering, and demand management opportunities.
• Establish category roadmaps, including supplier consolidation, specification optimization, and long‑term contracting strategies.
• Lead end‑to‑end sourcing activities including RFPs, negotiations, supplier selection, and contract execution.
• Negotiate commercial terms, pricing structures (including indexed/market‑based pricing), and service agreements.
• Ensure contracts clearly define scope, service levels, performance metrics, and risk allocation.
• Partner with Legal and Finance to ensure contractual compliance and financial discipline.
• Manage key supplier relationships across energy providers, environmental vendors, and service providers.
• Establish performance metrics (KPIs) and conduct regular supplier reviews.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives with strategic suppliers.
• Monitor supplier risk, market dynamics, and regulatory changes impacting categories.

Minimum Skills / Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Engineering, Business, or related field.
• Five (5) years of procurement or category management experience, preferably in energy, utilities, environmental services, or indirect spend categories.
• Strong negotiation and contract management experience.
• Experience managing complex, multi‑site spend portfolios.
• Ten (10) years of procurement or category management experience, preferably in energy, utilities, environmental services, or indirect spend categories.
• Knowledge of energy markets (electricity, natural gas) and/or environmental services.

Benefits Offered

• Medical, prescription, dental and vision plans.
• Health Savings Account (HSA) and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA).
• Life insurance.
• 401(k) retirement plan with company match and an employer retirement contribution.
• Paid holidays, floating days and vacation.
• Short‑ and Long‑Term Disability (STD/LTD).
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
• Tuition reimbursement program.
• Professional and personal development opportunities through Employee Resource Groups.
• Benefits available from day 1 of employment.
• Flexible and hybrid working hours.

Please note the compensation and benefits information above is accurate as of the date of this posting. Ardagh reserves the right to modify this information at any time in accordance with applicable law.

Ardagh Group is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, protected veteran status, disability or any other basis prohibited by federal, state, and local law.

Ardagh Group complies with federal, state, and local disability laws and makes reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities. Contact Clare McHugh ([e-mail]) if a reasonable accommodation is needed.