Senior Category Manager

Sunrun•Lehi, UT

2d•$117,648 - $156,864

About The Position

The Senior Category Manager of Batteries, Inverters, and Electrification executes procurement strategies for goods and services, negotiating and coordinating purchases in assigned spend categories to achieve the lowest possible cost. The role assesses near- and long-term plans to balance supplier priorities with business needs, consults with senior management and subject matter experts on alternatives, and advises on options, risks, total cost of ownership, and business impacts. This individual contributor role develops and executes category sourcing strategies, supplier negotiations, and supplier-management programs. The manager analyzes spend and supplier performance, identifies cost-reduction opportunities, develops total cost of ownership models, and collaborates with cross-functional teams and business leaders to improve supplier quality, service, delivery, pricing, lead times, risk compliance, and overall category performance. The role requires working effectively in a fast-paced, ambiguous environment while managing multiple stakeholders, responsibilities, and complex programs. Travel of up to 10% is expected for business purposes, within and outside the state.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Industrial or Operations Engineering, Supply Chain Management, or a related field.
At least 10 years of procurement experience.
Highly effective oral and written communication skills.
Ability to perform deep-dive analytics and communicate findings clearly.
Strong supplier negotiation and sourcing strategy development skills.
Advanced experience collaborating with internal and external resources.
Advanced experience managing projects and/or cross-functional teams.
Advanced skill in Google Sheets and office suite products.
Advanced PowerPoint skills for preparing clear presentations.
Willingness to travel up to 10% for business purposes, within and outside the state.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in Business Administration or Supply Chain Management.
At least 3 years of experience in spend data analytics.

Responsibilities

Execute strategic sourcing strategies, best practices, and initiatives to improve supplier quality, cost effectiveness, service levels, coordination, delivery, pricing, lead times, payment, and risk compliance.
Execute assigned category sourcing strategies, including developing and carrying out RFI and RFP processes.
Document supplier bid events using correspondence and advanced sourcing tools such as reverse auctions.
Develop supplier-selection criteria and lead supplier selection in collaboration with cross-functional teams.
Conduct supplier negotiations and ongoing supplier management.
Identify ways to streamline business processes.
Research and provide information about industry category trends and best practices.
Provide procurement input to maximize procurement leverage, optimize project design, and minimize project duration and cost.
Develop negotiation strategies, align stakeholders, lead cross-functional category-based negotiation teams, and implement supplier risk analyses.
Negotiate directly with suppliers when detailed strategic plans are required and suppliers have a direct relationship to company operational needs and goals.
Analyze current spend data to identify sourcing projects for subcategories and develop cost-reduction plans.
Create and defend category strategies and decisions using analytics; lead analytical tasks and synthesize results.
Monitor supplier performance to ensure delivery dates and technical and contractual requirements are met.
Participate in strategic meetings with suppliers and business leaders to support execution of defined strategies.
Manage day-to-day supplier relationships and identify opportunities for growth or revision within the supply base.
Serve as the internal point of contact for supplier management and complaint resolution.
Conduct supplier meetings and implement improvement strategies; create, nurture, and enhance supplier relationships.
Manage category performance against savings goals and review financial models for commodity-type items.
Balance recurring managed spend through coordinated sourcing waves and leverage project sourcing activities.
Consolidate spend and identify synergies across business units by forming and leading cross-functional strategic sourcing teams to develop and implement category or commodity strategies and reduce subcategory costs.
Develop total cost of ownership models for assigned commodities, measure and communicate supplier and commodity performance, and drive continual improvement.
Lead weekly category review meetings with cross-functional teams to manage category performance.
Work as a self-motivated and self-directed individual contributor while prioritizing multiple stakeholders, responsibilities, and programs in a fast-paced, ambiguous environment.