Senior Category Manager

Xcel Energy Services Inc; Minneapolis (MN); On-site; USD 98,000 - 139,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual Incentive Program

Medical/Pharmacy Plan

Dental

Vision

Life Insurance

Pension

401(k) plan

Paid time off (PTO)

Holidays

Transit programs

Tuition reimbursement

Job summary

Xcel Energy is seeking a Senior Category Manager to lead sourcing strategies, negotiate contracts, and manage supplier performance. You will work with cross-functional teams to optimize total cost of ownership and align category plans with business goals.

The role requires a strong background in sourcing, contract formation, and supplier relationship management, with travel up to 10% to coordinate with vendors and internal stakeholders.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent in a technical/analytical field.
• Five years of supply chain experience with focus in sourcing.
• Three years of contract formation knowledge and experience.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement enterprise-wide category strategies.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to align demands and strategy.
• Perform spend and cost analysis to optimize value.
• Research suppliers and monitor risks and trends.
• Lead negotiations to establish favorable contracts.
• Ensure supplier performance and compliance with terms.
• Develop risk management strategies with Legal and Security teams.
• Lead project plans to implement category strategies.

Skills

Sourcing

Contract negotiation

Stakeholder management

Negotiation

Supplier management

Cost analysis

Education

Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, business, or related field

MBA (preferred)

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Purchasing/Sourcing systems

Job description

Are you looking for an exciting job where you can put your skills and talents to work at a company you can feel proud to be a part of? Do you want a workplace that will challenge you and offer you opportunities to learn and grow? A position at Xcel Energy could be just what you’re looking for.

Senior Category Manager Position Summary

Develop and execute sourcing category, supplier, and risk management strategies that align with business stakeholder priorities for key categories. Lead cross functional teams from the business and Supply Chain to drive successful project and category outcomes/results. Plan and lead competitive sourcing events using an enterprise-wide approach, incorporating external factors intelligence in support of category strategies. Develop effective negotiation strategies, plan, and conduct negotiations of commercial terms with suppliers to achieve category objectives. Lead on-going supplier performance, relationship, and development activities to ensure category strategy adherence. Develop and execute contracts with key suppliers. In conjunction with logistics personnel, implement optimal inventory strategies. Lead multiple strategic supplier performance, relationship and development management efforts focused on improving total cost of ownership, quality, delivery, and continuous improvement. Develop plans with suppliers that support business goals and strategies, while driving continuous improvement and collaboration to strengthen partnerships that bring value to the company and the supplier. Develop performance-based supplier scorecards. Monitor, document, and evaluate supplier performance. Lead the resolution of disputes with suppliers. Lead negotiations of commercial terms to establish contracts that support category strategies while meeting business requirements, including limits of liability and general terms & conditions. Review, analyze, verify, and negotiate contract changes or additional work orders. Monitor compliance across buying channel, supplier, and contract purchasing execution. Manage contractor claims to resolution and successfully minimize overall impact to cost and schedule. Ensure suppliers comply with contract terms and meet all commitments. Develop and communicate contract summary and implementation plans. Develop risk management strategies and in conjunction with Legal and Security teams, apply understanding of underlying principles of contract law to administer all category contract agreements. In collaboration with business area management, manage and define the risk elements of the contract Lead cross functional teams from the business and Supply Chain to drive successful project and category outcomes/results. Create and manage project plans to implement category strategies. Interacts with business leadership to integrate sourcing and business project plans. Manage Supply Chain, business, and supplier continuous improvement efforts. Lead change management efforts.

Essential Responsibilities

• Develop and implement enterprise-wide category strategies to optimize cost and improve operations in line with sourcing best practices.
• Collaborate with business stakeholders to align business demands, category/contract strategy, and execution.
• Perform spend and cost analysis (e.g. total cost of ownership and should cost models) and develop category strategies to achieve maximum value capture.
• Complete supplier research and risk profiles while monitoring industry information, external factors, and trends to ensure category strategies are aligned with current best practices.
• In conjunction with logistics personnel, implement optimal inventory strategies.
• Lead multiple strategic supplier performance, relationship and development management efforts focused on improving total cost of ownership, quality, delivery, and continuous improvement.
• Develop plans with suppliers that support business goals and strategies, while driving continuous improvement and collaboration to strengthen partnerships that bring value to the company and the supplier.
• Develop performance-based supplier scorecards.
• Monitor, document, and evaluate supplier performance.
• Lead the resolution of disputes with suppliers.
• Lead negotiations of commercial terms to establish contracts that support category strategies while meeting business requirements, including limits of liability and general terms & conditions.
• Review, analyze, verify, and negotiate contract changes or additional work orders.
• Monitor compliance across buying channel, supplier, and contract purchasing execution.
• Manage contractor claims to resolution and successfully minimize overall impact to cost and schedule.
• Ensure suppliers comply with contract terms and meet all commitments.
• Develop and communicate contract summary and implementation plans.
• Develop risk management strategies and in conjunction with Legal and Security teams, apply understanding of underlying principles of contract law to administer all category contract agreements.
• In collaboration with business area management, manage and define the risk elements of the contract Lead cross functional teams from the business and Supply Chain to drive successful project and category outcomes/results.
• Create and manage project plans to implement category strategies.
• Interacts with business leadership to integrate sourcing and business project plans.
• Manage Supply Chain, business, and supplier continuous improvement efforts.
• Lead change management efforts.

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, business, or related technical/analytical field.
• Equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.
• Requires five years of supply chain experience with focus in sourcing.
• Three years of contract formation knowledge and experience.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and significant experience with purchasing and sourcing systems is required.
• Demonstrated customer service skills.
• Strong interpersonal and relationship skills are required.
• Required to attend meetings in various locations, up to 10% travel; driver's license required.

Preferred Requirements

• Category management experience in Staff Augmentations and/or Enterprise Services MBA as well as Certified Professional in Supply Chain Management (CPSM) or other supply chain certification preferred.
• Negotiation and project management skills preferred.

Non-Bargaining The anticipated starting base pay for this position is: $97,600.00 to $138,600.00 per year

Benefits

• Annual Incentive Program
• Medical/Pharmacy Plan
• Dental
• Vision
• Life Insurance
• Dependent Care Reimbursement Account
• Health Care Reimbursement Account
• Health Savings Account (HSA) (if enrolled in eligible health plan)
• Limited-Purpose FSA (if enrolled in eligible health plan and HSA)
• Transportation Reimbursement Account
• Short-term disability (STD)
• Long-term disability (LTD)
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Fitness Center Reimbursement (if enrolled in eligible health plan)
• Tuition reimbursement
• Transit programs
• Employee recognition program
• Pension
• 401(k) plan
• Paid time off (PTO)
• Holidays
• Volunteer Paid Time Off (VPTO)
• Parental Leave Benefit plans are subject to change and Xcel Energy has the right to end, suspend, or amend any of its plans, at any time, in whole or in part.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.

Individuals with a disability who need an accommodation to apply please contact us at [e-mail].

Deadline to Apply: 09/24/26

EEO is the Law | EEO is the Law Supplement | Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination | Equal Opportunity Policy (PDF) | Employee Rights (PDF)

All Xcel Energy employees and contractors share responsibility for protecting the company's information and systems by adhering to cybersecurity policies, standards, and best practices, recognizing that cybersecurity is everyone's responsibility.

ACCESSIBILITY STATEMENT Xcel Energy endeavors to make https://www.xcelenergy.com/ accessible to any and all users. If you would like to contact us regarding the accessibility of our website or need assistance completing the application process, please contact Xcel Energy Talent Acquisition at [e-mail]. This contact information is for accommodation requests only and cannot be used to inquire about the status of applications.

You. Us. Together. At Xcel Energy, we’re more than an energy company. We’re reinventing how we power communities. Redefining how we care for customers. Reaffirming our commitment to the planet. We’re committed to leading with equity and inclusion. You’re not waiting for change – you’re creating it. You’re driven to protect the environment, support your community, and seek innovation. You want a career that grows with you and an employer who values you. You are reliable, trustworthy and bring integrity to everything you do. We are leading the way in clean energy. We’re using technology and innovation in every facet of our company. We’re providing safe, stable jobs with robust benefits. We keep our customers at the center of all we do. We’re committed to hiring a workforce that reflects the communities we serve. Together, we can provide carbon-free electricity by 2050. Together, we can take care of the environment and our communities. Together, we can create a place where everyone belongs. Together we’re building a better tomorrow.