Category Manager - Utility Procurement

Liberty•Downey, CA

6d•$110,000 - $160,000•Hybrid

About The Position

This is a high-impact category leadership role responsible for capital commodities and support for additional enterprise categories as needed. The Category Manager will shape category strategy, lead complex sourcing and commercial negotiations, and influence key business decisions across cost, risk, quality, reliability, and continuity of supply. This role offers significant visibility across Procurement, Operations, Engineering, Legal, Finance, and senior leadership, and is well suited for a commercially strong, analytically driven leader who thrives in a dynamic, regulated environment.

Requirements

University - Bachelor degree or equivalent
8+ years of progressive experience in strategic sourcing, category management, or procurement, including complex negotiations, contract management, and supplier governance.
Demonstrated success managing complex category portfolios with approximately $50 million to $100 million in annual spend accountability.
Strong commercial, analytical, and financial acumen, including spend analysis, total cost of ownership, cost modeling, forecasting, and benefits tracking.
Experience using procurement and ERP systems such as Ariba and SAP, along with spend visibility tools such as Sievo or similar platforms.
Executive-level communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence cross-functional teams, challenge constructively, and build alignment in a matrixed environment.
Utility, infrastructure, construction, manufacturing, capital projects, or other regulated-industry sourcing experience.
Experience with commodity contracting, pricing structures, supply market analysis, logistics considerations, and risk management concepts relevant to capital commodities.
Familiarity with utility operating environments, including safety expectations, service continuity requirements, emergency response planning, and cross-functional coordination with operations and engineering teams.

Nice To Haves

Professional certifications such as CPSM or CPM, and an MBA or other advanced degree, are valued.

Responsibilities

Own category strategy and execution for capital commodities and assigned spend areas, translating business demand, market conditions, and risk considerations into actionable sourcing plans.
Own the financial performance of assigned categories, including spend planning, forecasting, savings pipeline development, benefits tracking, and leadership reporting; must demonstrate prior experience managing approximately $50 million to $100 million in annual category spend.
Lead competitive sourcing events, commercial negotiations, and contract execution, including pricing structures, terms and conditions, service levels, and governance mechanisms.
Manage supplier performance through scorecards, business reviews, and corrective action plans to improve cost, service, safety, compliance, and resiliency.
Provide market intelligence, pricing insight, and supplier due diligence to inform decisions, manage volatility, and strengthen continuity of supply.
Use spend analytics and visibility tools to identify opportunities, monitor results, and recommend corrective actions where performance, savings, or supply assurance is off track.