Category Manager

American Electric Power•Columbus, OH

18d

About The Position

The Category Manager leads assigned procurement projects and sourcing categories, overseeing the full spend lifecycle. The role provides strategic leadership in sourcing, procurement, contracting, supplier relationship management, inventory management, and material standardization. It develops, negotiates, executes, and maintains strategic sourcing agreements for materials, equipment, and services used by internal customers. The position develops and executes sourcing strategies for high-spend, high-impact, and often complex categories involving multiple business units. It identifies cost-reduction opportunities, captures total cost of ownership savings through aggregated sourcing volumes, and supports corporate savings goals. Working collaboratively with Supply Chain, Procurement, business units, operating companies, and suppliers, the Category Manager builds strategies that meet business needs and support efficient operations in a changing competitive environment. The role also establishes metrics to track program progress and communicates performance to management.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in a related field and at least 8 years of relevant work experience; or an Associate's degree in a related field and at least 9 years of relevant work experience; or a high school diploma or equivalent and at least 10 years of relevant work experience.
Project management skills.
Investigative nature and a process-oriented mindset.

Nice To Haves

MBA or purchasing certification.
Experience with lean manufacturing, kaizen, continuous improvement, or similar production tools.
Eight years of Supply Chain or related experience.
Experience in utilities or operations/manufacturing settings.

Responsibilities

Develop and manage overall company strategies for assigned categories to control costs within budget, generate savings, rationalize inventory, and maximize available working capital.
Lead assigned procurement projects and oversee the full spend lifecycle, including sourcing, procurement, contracts, supplier relationship management, inventory management, and material standardization.
Develop, negotiate, execute, and maintain strategic sourcing agreements for materials, equipment, and services.
Identify cost-reduction opportunities and capture total cost of ownership savings by aggregating sourcing volumes.
Develop and execute project-driven sourcing strategies for high-spend, high-impact, and complex categories across business units.
Implement company strategies by establishing timing, support resources, standardization events, and communication tools.
Perform supplier relationship management and contract administration for assigned programs.
Coordinate with Supply Chain teams to align buying strategies and contracts with inventory strategies and operating company needs.
Leverage technology to create internal process efficiencies.
Communicate program performance metrics to appropriate levels of management and report progress toward goals to business unit leadership.
Work with business units and Supply Chain on demand management strategies.
Assist in optimizing logistics processes and collaborate with supply chain colleagues on solutions to ongoing operating problems.
Develop and manage metrics to track program processes, progress, and actions.
Build effective relationships and collaborate with business unit customers and suppliers to maintain customer satisfaction.