Manager, Strategic Category Management

FirstEnergy • Akron, OH

2d

About The Position

The Manager, Strategic Category Management – Professional Services leads the development and execution of enterprise category strategies across information technology and facilities-related spend. The role partners with business, technology, finance, legal, cybersecurity, real estate, and operations leaders to turn business requirements into sourcing strategies that improve value, reduce risk, strengthen supplier performance, and support long-term organizational objectives. The manager also leads category team members and cross-functional initiatives, using market intelligence, spend analytics, negotiation, contracting, and supplier relationship management practices.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in supply chain, business, finance, information systems, engineering, facilities management, or a related field is preferred.
• Ten or more years of progressive experience and leadership in strategic sourcing, category management, procurement, supplier management, IT commercial management, facilities sourcing, or a related discipline is preferred.
• Demonstrated success leading people, developing and executing category strategies, and leading complex cross-functional sourcing initiatives.
• Strong knowledge of commercial contracting, negotiation strategy, competitive sourcing, cost modeling, total cost of ownership, and supplier performance management.
• Proficiency in spend analysis, business case development, financial modeling, and translating data into actionable recommendations.
• Strong leadership, stakeholder management, communication, and executive presentation skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, influence without direct authority, resolve ambiguity, and deliver measurable results.
• Working knowledge of procurement, contract lifecycle management, sourcing, artificial intelligence, and analytics technologies.
• Experience managing major technology, facilities, construction, or capital project categories in a regulated, asset-intensive, or multi-site organization.
• Knowledge of software licensing, cloud consumption, technology service levels, cybersecurity terms, facilities operations, real estate services, and construction contracting.

Nice To Haves

• Experience sourcing within IT and/or facilities-related categories, including the ability to evaluate differing cost structures, service models, risks, and market dynamics.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute multi-year category strategies for IT hardware, software, cloud and hosting, telecommunications, managed services, professional services, cybersecurity, facilities services, real estate support, maintenance, construction, and related capital projects.
• Lead strategic sourcing events from opportunity assessment through supplier selection, negotiation, contracting, implementation, and benefits realization.
• Analyze spend, demand, market dynamics, supplier capabilities, cost drivers, and total cost of ownership to identify savings, value creation, standardization, and risk-reduction opportunities.
• Partner with IT, Facilities, Finance, Legal, Risk, Cybersecurity, Operations, and other stakeholders to define requirements, align priorities, and establish sourcing roadmaps.
• Lead complex commercial negotiations involving pricing, service levels, licensing, consumption models, warranties, construction terms, data protection, business continuity, and performance commitments.
• Develop and manage facilities maintenance category strategies covering HVAC, electrical, plumbing, roofing, fire protection, elevators, building controls, janitorial, landscaping, waste management, and other essential building systems and services.
• Partner with facilities, real estate, engineering, security, environmental, health and safety, and business continuity teams to prioritize repairs, space improvements, renovations, and capital investments.
• Establish and manage a supplier relationship management program, including segmentation, governance, scorecards, quarterly business reviews, corrective actions, innovation, and continuous improvement.
• Ensure sourcing and contracting activities comply with procurement policies, delegated authority, competitive bidding requirements, records retention, and applicable regulatory standards.
• Track and communicate category performance, including savings, cost avoidance, working capital, contract coverage, supplier diversity, service quality, risk, and stakeholder satisfaction.
• Manage contract lifecycle activities with contract owners, including renewals, amendments, obligations, consumption, expiration risk, and supplier performance.
• Lead, coach, and develop category specialists; set priorities, allocate work, establish performance expectations, and build strategic sourcing capabilities.
• Prepare concise recommendations and executive-level presentations communicating options, tradeoffs, financial impact, risk, and required decisions.

Benefits

• Competitive pay plus incentive compensation
• Company-sponsored pension plan
• 401(k) savings plan with matching employer contribution
• Choice of medical, prescription drug, dental, vision, and life insurance programs
• Skills development training with tuition reimbursement

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager