Category Lead I

EPRI•Charlotte, NC

8d•$60,000 - $70,000•Onsite

About The Position

This role is responsible for negotiating sourcing agreements, managing vendor relationships, analyzing market conditions, and developing category acquisition strategies. The Category Lead I will collaborate with internal clients and stakeholders to ensure business needs and compliance are met while driving economic value and operational efficiency. The position involves supporting the development of risk analysis matrices, identifying strategic vendors, monitoring vendor performance, and resolving non-compliance issues. Additionally, the role requires staying updated on industry trends, surveying market conditions, and contributing to the development of category-based acquisition strategies. Collaboration with internal clients, understanding category budgets, client needs, and company objectives are crucial. The role also includes participating in special projects and other assigned duties to support the department.

Requirements

2+ years of relevant experience in supply chain, vendor administration, 3rd party contract negotiations or supplier diversity
Undergraduate degree or commensurate experience, preferably in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration Paralegal, or a related field.
Some understanding of, and experience negotiating commercial acquisition terms and conditions – with the ability to use/draft basic agreement prose
Basic understanding of the generic procure-to-pay process
Outstanding listening, and oral and written communication skills
Familiar with applicable rules, regulations and norms as they apply to acquisitions (i.e., independent contractor status classifications, internal controls and fraud prevention, etc.)
Ability to manage projects, prioritize and delegate work
Self-starter capable of working independently, managing deadlines and competing workloads, making informed decisions and seeking advice/decisions from others when needed
Diplomatic, collaborative relationship builder
Strong organizational, problem solving and interpersonal skills
Experience working with data (analysis, clean-up, presentation)

Nice To Haves

Certified Purchasing Professional Designation a plus
Knowledge of a category industry is a plus
Experience working with an ERP system (SAP MM, SRM are desirable, but familiarity with other systems is also a plus)

Responsibilities

Under guidance, negotiates sourcing agreements and acquisition terms with an understanding of contract risk; drafts agreement terms that ensure business needs and compliance are met while accurately reflecting the arrangement between the parties
Negotiates favorable economic value with a “total cost” perspective, and tracks and reports cost savings and avoidance; evaluates financial proposals, brings to manager’s attention sources with poor financial performance
Supports in the development of a risk analysis matrix for moderate and high-risk arrangements and presents cases for, and documents business decisions
Identifies strategic vendors, and assists in the development of a continuity-of-business plan with alternate sources of supply
Identifies, and aids in the selection of, sources of supply
Monitors vendor performance; engages with strategic vendors by developing collaborative relationships and under guidance works to align EPRI-vendor objectives; conducts routine review of the account/relationship
With guidance, works to (1) identify opportunities for consolidation of supply base, and (2) identify RFX opportunities; with manager or designee support, (a) conducts RFX events and ensures objective, documented contract awards, and (b) formulates business cases with objective information/data
Resolves vendor non-compliance, brings to manager’s attention cases requiring dispute resolution, and performs agreement cancellations and terminations unrelated to performance issues
Keeps updated on trends in industries related to assigned category, remains informed about developments in other parts of the organization that have impact on acquisitions/procurement
Surveys market conditions; identifies, makes recommendations and aids in the selection of, best sources of supply
With guidance, develops category acquisition strategies, monitors, and reports progress
Helps manage organizational change that results from implementation of category-based acquisition strategies
Develops and maintains collaborative relationships with internal clients and stakeholders, is aware of category budgets, client needs and departmental strategies, understands overall company objectives (raises conflicting objectives to the attention of manager); reviews acquisition scopes for value and compliance
Develops ideas and strategies to improve operational efficiency to add value for stakeholders and the Sourcing Team
Participates in special projects and assumes other duties which may be assigned to support the department as designated by the Manager of Sourcing and Procurement and/or the Director of the Sourcing Team