Manager, Category Managment

Entergy•New Orleans, LA

3d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Mgr, Category Management is responsible for managing the strategic sourcing function for the identification and implementation of company-wide contract initiatives in which the long-term availability of resources can be maintained at a competitive price, with appropriate quality/performance, such that operations and company business functions are supported. This role ensures contractual support of operations, prepares responses to audits, condition reports and other data requests. The Mgr, Category Management ensures that GSA and Alliance agreements are strategically established to meet the overall needs of the company. The role acts on behalf of Strategic Sourcing leadership, as required, and maintains awareness of operation schedules and commitments (e.g. milestones) to provide support for outage and project schedules. The Mgr, Category Management works closely with various leaders and executives throughout Entergy. The role is responsible for full understanding of all phases of contracting (from Bid, Award, Negotiation, Contract Development, Performance Monitoring, Claims, Dispute Resolution). Knowledge of analytical techniques to identify cost savings/sourcing opportunities as well as of Power Plant/Utility Operations and Business Practices are critical. The Mgr, Category Management must know and understand legal/regulatory requirements and be able to interact effectively with all levels of the organization. The role is responsible for developing and presenting business cases for complex, high-dollar procurements. Excellent oral, written, problem solving and facilitating skills are a must as well as full understanding of all applicable policies, procedures, rules and regulations. The Mgr, Category Management must have outstanding communications, conflict management and change management skills. Preferred office location is any of Entergy’s corporate/regional office facilities. The position will require a up to 25% travel to various locations in the field, Entergy corporate/regional office locations, Entergy power plants and to supplier offices.

Requirements

Supply Chain degree or Bachelor's degree in Business, Accounting, Engineering, or related discipline or equivalent experience.
Minimum experience required of the position 5 years of experience in materials/warehousing, purchasing, contracts or project management.
3 years of supervisory experience and/or equivalent leadership experience.

Nice To Haves

MS/MBA degree preferred.
Professional procurement/supply chain certification preferred.
Energy procurement & supply chain experience preferred.
Understanding of capital project management stage gate processes & procurement & supply chain best practices.
Deep experience in commercial acumen; complex commercial strategy development & progression.
Strong strategic and analytical thinker with an ability to provide focus on service delivery.
Experience with process optimization and continuous improvement preferred.
Strong collaboration, relationship management, and negotiation skills and abilities.
Strong communication, facilitation, presentation, and creative problem-solving skills.

Responsibilities

Safety/Human Performance Ensures the team always puts safety first. Actively promotes strong safety behaviors, utilizing key tools, plans and attends proactive field visits to review standards and behaviors. Monitors and influencing suppliers to proactively identify any safety concerns
Supplier Commercial Excellence Accountable for the development and execution of progressive commercial strategies that enable favorable outcomes for all key stakeholders. Commercial strategies should be comprehensive in nature and developed with the business function in support of business objectives to drive value and service delivery.
Category Management: Accountable for category strategies including forecasting category demand and identifying savings goals; aligns strategies with enterprise priorities around savings, local spend, sustainability and risk.
Strategic Sourcing Establishes strategic sourcing methodology to be utilized extensively to maximize value through customized, multi-year commercial strategies, while managing risk.
Partnership & Performance Expected to work as a partner with functional business leadership to fully understand the business context, priorities, and challenges. Executes effective supplier performance and relationship programs that support project predictability and favorable outcomes in the space of safety, quality, cost, and schedule certainty.
Service Orientation Aligns with customers around service level indicators and plans for monitoring and improving them; knows the plans of customer base and uses them to identify and prioritize improvements.
Vendor Management & Oversight : Accountable for the development and ownership of an enterprise framework focused on vendor engagement; vendor performance; vendor risk; strategic alliance management; and contract governance.
Culture Consistently operates with the highest ethical standards and in full compliance with internal controls, policies, procedures, regulations, and laws. Accountable through supply base partners to execute Entergy’s local supplier development & engagement and local spend objectives.
People Leadership Accountable for leverage of procurement & supply chain’s talent management strategy to assure the right procurement & supply chain talent are recruited, developed, retained, and deployed in line with key business priorities. Mentors, inspires and empowers staff.
Continuous Improvement : Enables a workforce-driven continuous improvement culture to achieve premier financial and operational results. As a leader, enable time & resources to execute continuous improvement opportunities. Participate, engage, and utilize continuous improvement tools, frameworks, principles, and professional training as a standard.
Incident Response : Performs incident response/storm duties as assigned.