Sr Category Advisor

Consumers Energy•Grand Rapids, MI

2d•Hybrid

About The Position

Consumers Energy is Michigan’s largest energy provider, serving 6.8 million residents across 68 Lower Peninsula counties. The company is committed to delivering reliable, clean, and affordable energy 24/7. This position is a hybrid (virtual/onsite) role, requiring onsite days on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday, and may be assigned to any Consumers Energy Service Center in Michigan's lower Peninsula. The selected candidate must be within a commutable distance or willing to relocate, with relocation assistance available for those who qualify. This position is not eligible for immigration sponsorship.

Requirements

Previous experience in an Information Technology support role.
Expert knowledge and proficiency in advanced Excel, PowerBI, Service Now, and SAP.
Experience working with cross-functional teams to produce IT RFI, RFQ, and RFP content.
Experience editing EULA, SaaS, Cyber, Telecom, and IT services agreements.
Progressively responsible experience in IT procurement.
Ability to provide guidance to develop and evolve category management processes, develop metrics, and engage suppliers on operational, strategic, and financial issues.
Practical application of critical thinking to analyze and validate data, identify trends/inconsistencies, and recommend accurate, transparent, integrity-driven reporting that supports informed decision making.
Strong customer-oriented mindset.
Excellent communication skills (oral and written), with the ability to communicate effectively with suppliers and Business Partners.
Ability to be persuasive and build credibility internally and externally.
Ability to lead multiple projects and initiatives simultaneously.

Responsibilities

Drives strategic procurement and category management processes to create sustainable value through lower costs, improved supplier performance, and efficiency, considering Business Partner needs and priorities.
Works with cross-functional teams in the implementation of category management processes.
Conducts research and analysis to develop strategy and drive decision-making regarding spend, suppliers, and markets.
Leads and develops category and commodity cost models.
Works with Supply Chain (SC) staff and Business Partners to provide day-to-day support, strategic sourcing, and procurement; responds to questions and solves problems.
Uses a continuous improvement framework to sustain SC strategy and compliance with CMS objectives to achieve process excellence and stay current with industry innovations.
Identifies and implements leading practices throughout the organization in collaboration with SC Leads.
Communicates initiatives and improvements to Business Partners.
Communicates with suppliers and is knowledgeable about procurement practices and category strategy.
Leads the development and maintenance of strong, positive, and influential relationships with suppliers and Business Partners to assure CMS of a long-term, cost-effective procurement strategy for key services and goods.
Supports the SC and category strategy development process with complex analysis and helps integrate it with regular business planning and budgeting cycles for SC and CMS.
Works closely with Principal Advisors to align strategy-making processes with Business Partner processes.
Prepares communications and business cases to support SC initiatives and priorities.
Drives regular assessment of Business Partner requirements and matches procurement plans to meet and adapt to business needs.
Seeks to develop category expertise, knowledge of market dynamics and trends, supplier insights, pricing knowledge, and negotiating tactics.
Supports Portfolio Managers and Principal Advisors in category management activities and processes that ensure Business Partner satisfaction and value creation.
Implements leading practices for spend and market analysis to develop value-adding sourcing strategies in collaboration with Portfolio Managers and Principal Advisors.
Performs other duties as assigned or as necessary.