Category Manager II / III - Strategic Procurement

Arizona Public Service - APS; Phoenix (AZ); Hybrid; USD 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible work schedule

Career development opportunities

Job summary

Arizona Public Service - APS is seeking a Category Manager II/III in Phoenix, Arizona. This role involves managing specific procurement categories with a significant budget, driving strategic sourcing, and leading supplier relationship management.

The ideal candidate will possess a Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain or a related field and have extensive experience in procurement and supplier negotiations. A hybrid work model is offered, requiring around 40% in-office attendance for team collaboration.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of procurement experience with strategic supply chain management.
• Experience conducting high impact supplier negotiations.
• Experience in reviewing and redlining contracts.

Responsibilities

• Develops and implements supply chain strategies for specific categories.
• Manages supplier relationships and tracks performance indicators.
• Leads cross-functional teams for category strategy.

Skills

Supplier negotiation

Contract management

RFx processes

Communication skills

Microsoft Office proficiency

Education

Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Business, or Engineering

Professional certification (e.g., CPM, CPSM)

Job description

Summary

Arizona Public Service generates reliable, affordable and clean energy for 2.7 million Arizonans. As the state’s largest and longest‑serving energy provider, our more than 6,000 dedicated employees power our vision of creating a sustainable energy future for Arizona.

The Category Manager II / III - Strategic Procurement is a specialized procurement role that is responsible for a specific category of goods or services. The Category Manager is charged with strategic sourcing, creating a category plan and providing oversight in the category. Drives the strategic management of procurement initiatives and spend optimization for a specific category or major projects having significant impact on organizational and business unit goals and objectives. Category spend typically above $75M and SRM Supplier spend impact of over 4 key suppliers. Drives development and implementation of supply chain strategies, targets and schedules to achieve goals and objectives for cost management, supplier management (including supplier diversity) and process improvement. Manages major capital projects and large‑scale initiatives.

Minimum Requirements

Category Manager II

• A four year Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Business, Engineering or other job-related discipline from an accredited college or university
• Plus five (5) years materials or services procurement experience with significant exposure to strategic supply chain management issues.
• In lieu of bachelor's degree, professional certification (e.g., CPM, CPSM) plus nine (9) years of significant, closely-related materials/services/supply chain experience
• OR Associate's degree in business or related discipline, professional certification (e.g., CPM, CPSM) plus seven (7) years of significant, closely-related materials/services/supply chain experience.
• Experience in conducting supplier negotiations.
• Experience in reviewing and redlining contracts.
• Experience in RFx processes such as request for proposal, request for information, request for quote and/or request for bid.

Category Manager III

• A four year Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Business, Engineering or other job-related discipline from an accredited college or university
• Plus seven (7) years materials or services procurement experience with significant exposure to strategic supply chain management issues.
• In lieu of bachelor's degree, professional certification (e.g., CPM, CPSM) plus eleven (11) years of significant, closely-related materials/services/supply chain experience
• OR Associate's degree in business or related discipline, professional certification (e.g., CPM, CPSM) plus nine (9) years of significant, closely-related materials/services/supply chain experience.
• Experience in conducting high impact supplier negotiations.
• Experience in reviewing and redlining contracts.
• Experience in RFx processes such as request for proposal, request for information, request for quote and/or request for bid.

Preferred Special Skills, Knowledge Or Qualifications

• MBA or master's degree in related discipline. Professional certification (e.g., CPM, CPSM).
• Proficiency in specific subcategory and supply chain programs, techniques, tools, concepts (including Total Cost of Ownership).
• Working knowledge and understanding of procurement and work management systems.
• Exceptional verbal and written communication, interpersonal and presentation skills.
• Using Microsoft Office applications.
• Experience with inventory management.

Major Accountabilities

• Develops and implements supply chain strategies for a specific category to achieve targeted supply chain results for cost management, supplier management including supplier diversity and process improvements. Supports leader in ensuring category strategies are strategically aligned to business unit needs and priorities. Impacts the spending decisions of business stakeholders by providing recommendations supported by data driven insights, leveraging market intelligence, should cost modeling, various negotiation methods and total cost of ownership analysis, all within a continuous improvement framework.
• Determines strategy and resources for supporting procurement requirements of complex major projects including planning, integration and execution of the entire project and compliance of agreements. Executes category management methodology to achieve maximum lifecycle value from major spend categories.
• Develops and implements processes to maximize value. Coordinates supply chain processes to achieve expected results. Interfaces with internal customers, suppliers and supply chain staff (primarily buyers) to execute strategies and achieve expected results.
• Manages supplier relationships, including setting and tracking performance indicators to anticipate and minimize performance issues. Identifies root cause and develops solutions when significant issues arise.
• Selects, deploys and manages strategies, tools, processes and people to execute the company's annual portfolio of sourcing projects.
• Leads and facilitates cross‑functional teams to develop, implement and execute category strategies to achieve savings targets while balancing other business requirements. Projects are of large capital, significant complexity, scope and reach.
• Drives productivity improvement and process improvement efforts. Introduces new practices in supply chain management to achieve continuous improvement objectives.

Export Compliance / EEO Statement

This position may require access to and/or use of information subject to control under the Department of Energy's Part 810 Regulations (10 CFR Part 810), the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) (15 CFR Parts 730 through 774), or the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) (22 CFR Chapter I, Subchapter M Part 120) (collectively, 'U.S. Export Control Laws'). Therefore, some positions may require applicants to be a U.S. person, which is defined as a U.S. Citizen, a U.S. Lawful Permanent Resident (i.e. 'Green Card Holder'), a Political Asylee, or a Refugee under the U.S. Export Control Laws. All applicants will be required to confirm their U.S. person or non‑US person status. All information collected in this regard will only be used to ensure compliance with U.S. Export Control Laws, and will be used in full compliance with all applicable laws prohibiting discrimination on the basis of national origin and other factors. For positions at Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Stations (PVNGS) all openings will require applicants to be a U.S. person.

Pinnacle West Capital Corporation and its subsidiaries and affiliates ('Pinnacle West') maintain a continuing policy of nondiscrimination in employment. It is our policy to provide equal opportunity in all phases of the employment process and in compliance with applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations. This policy of nondiscrimination shall include, but not be limited to, recruiting, hiring, promoting, compensating, reassigning, demoting, transferring, laying off, recalling, terminating employment, and training for all positions without regard to race, color, religion, disability, age, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status, protected veteran status, or any other classification or characteristic protected by law.

For more information on applicable equal employment regulations, please refer to EEO is the Law poster. Federal law requires all employers to verify the identity and employment eligibility of every person hired to work in the United States, refer to E-Verify poster. View the employee rights and responsibilities under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA).

In compliance with the Drug Free Workplace Act of 1988, the Company is committed to a work environment that is free from the effects of alcohol and controlled substances, and free from the abuse or inappropriate use of prescribed and over-the-counter medications. The Company requires employees to be subject to drug and alcohol testing that is job‑related and consistent with business necessity, regulatory requirements and applicable laws.

Hybrid

Employees in hybrid roles work both in their home offices (virtually) and alongside their colleagues (in person). In order for employees to build strong relationships and to promote meaningful in‑person interactions, hybrid employees are expected to work about 40% of their time in‑person at an APS or other (non‑home office) location.

• Employees are expected to reside in Arizona (or New Mexico for Four Corners‑based employees).
• Working from a home office requires adequate technology and an appropriate ergonomic set up.
• Role types are subject to change based on business need.