Sr. Category Manager

Xcel Energy; Minnesota; On-site; USD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Xcel Energy in Minnesota is seeking a Sr. Category Manager to lead enterprise-wide sourcing strategies across key categories.

You will guide cross-functional teams, drive competitive sourcing events, negotiate terms, and manage supplier performance to optimize total cost of ownership. This role requires strong stakeholder engagement, contract formation, and risk management with travel to multiple sites as needed.

Qualifications

• 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 20% travel; driver's license required.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement enterprise-wide category strategies to optimize cost and improve operations. Collaborate with stakeholders to align demands, strategy, and execution.
• Lead supplier performance, relationships, and development to improve TCO and supplier value.
• Negotiate contract terms and changes; ensure compliance and manage claims to minimize impact on cost/schedule.
• Develop risk management strategies with Legal and Security; define contract risk elements.
• Create and manage project plans to implement category strategies; coordinate with business leadership.
• Lead cross-functional teams to drive category outcomes and drive continuous improvement.

Skills

Sourcing strategy

Negotiation

Stakeholder engagement

Project management

Education

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

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Purchasing 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.

Sr. 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.

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 20% travel; driver's license required.

Preferred Requirements

• Certified Professional in Supply Chain Management (CPSM) or other supply chain certification preferred.
• Negotiation and project management skills preferred.
• Previous experience in plant operations regarding combustion and steam turbines.
• Demonstrated ability to engage and influence stakeholders, align competing priorities across business units and locations, and drive execution of unified sourcing strategies.
• Self-starter with the ability to work independently, take initiative, manage multiple priorities, and drive results in a fast-paced environment.

As a leading combination electricity and natural gas energy company, Xcel Energy offers a comprehensive portfolio of energy-related products a