Category Leader, Expert

Sedaa•Oakland, CA

8d•Hybrid

About The Position

This is a hybrid role located in Oakland, requiring 3-5 days per month on-site depending on business needs. The supplier is responsible for providing a laptop and any other necessary equipment. A personal phone is required with no reimbursement, or MS Teams can be used for calls and meetings. Expenses for travel related to negotiations or team meetings may be reimbursed with prior manager approval. A predetermined monthly allowance for cell and internet expenses is provided. This role involves managing sourcing categories, developing category plans, conducting market research, and leading strategic sourcing processes and negotiations. The position requires strong negotiation skills with demonstrated cost savings and experience managing software, hardware, and/or telecom contracts. The Category Leader will also play a key role in Supplier Relationship Management and the Scorecard process.

Requirements

Sourcing life cycle management experience
Strong negotiation skills with demonstrated cost savings
Experience managing software, hardware, and/or Telecom
Software, hardware, and/or Telecom sourcing experience
Ariba experience
Ability to analyze and combine information from different sources and use logic to reach appropriate conclusions as needed to perform at the job level
Ability to apply contract processes and procedures and relevant contracts and licensing - for example ESC, IBEW, tort, contract law - as needed to perform at the job level
Ability to work independently with limited oversight
Knowledge of Microsoft Office Products - for example Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Access - as needed to perform at the job level
Competency in relating openly and comfortably with diverse groups of people
Competency in building partnerships and working collaboratively with others to meet shared objectives
Competency in building strong-identity teams that apply their diverse skills and perspectives to achieve common goals
Knowledge of the technical/functional aspects of the trade, occupation, or role as needed to perform at the job level
Ability to apply project management theories, concepts, methods, best practices, and techniques as needed to perform at the job level
Knowledge of database and information systems - for example SCADA, EMS, OMT, OIS, SAP, ERP, COSO, Teradata, COBIT, Question Mark - as needed to perform at the job level
Minimum Bachelor's Degree or equivalent experience
Minimum Experience in supply chain, or related, 7 years
Experience in contract management
Experience in strategic sourcing, 8 years
Experience in procurement, or related, 8 years
Minimum Experience in supply chain, or related, 10 years
Experience in procurement, or related Utility industry experience
Job-related experience, 10 years

Nice To Haves

Masters Degree in Business Administration or job-related discipline or equivalent experience
ISM-Institute for Supply Management CPSM-Certified Professional in Supply Management certification
LSS-Lean Six Sigma Certification
Experience Desired

Responsibilities

Conducts and documents market research and supplier risk analysis to verify the financial health of existing and potential suppliers.
Creates and maintains category plans.
Develops and reviews performance data with suppliers.
Works with suppliers to drive ongoing value discovery.
Develops and sustains mutually beneficial strategic relationships with tier 1 and tier 2 IT software and hardware suppliers.
Leads cross-functional teams through strategic sourcing process and development/execution of negotiation strategies for mid-complexity spend categories.
Leads the development of category strategies of medium complexity.
Maintains awareness of industry and market trends through ongoing research.
Serves as a subject matter expert for particular commodities or services.
Develops and manages one or more sourcing spend categories and manages a delegated portion of Tier 1 and 2 Software, Telecom, hardware contracts.
Develops strategic category plans to optimize cost savings, service excellence, diversity spend, and total cost of ownership for the categories.
Effectively influences Line of Business (LOBs), including senior leadership, to achieve understanding, acceptance, and commitment of sourcing strategies.
Works with Line of Business (LOB) to develop, source, and negotiate major contracts.
Plays a key role in Supplier Relationship Management / Scorecard process.
Sets market trends on particular commodities by working with the industry on best practices.
Works with senior management to support strategic planning and decision-making at the officer level.