Supply Chain Category Specialist II - Supply Chain Utility Services - Akron FirstEnergy Headquarters

FirstEnergy • Akron, OH

3d • Onsite

About The Position

The Strategic Sourcing and Category Management organization is seeking multiple Supply Chain Category Management Specialists to support high impact sourcing initiatives across enterprise critical spend categories. This role partners with cross-functional stakeholders and suppliers to drive cost optimization, supplier performance, market intelligence, and digital procurement transformation. You will help execute strategic category plans that align with enterprise goals for risk mitigation, sustainability, operational excellence, and value creation. This position is onsite located at either corporate office in Akron, OH or Greensburg, PA. Responsibilities include: Strategic Sourcing & Category Optimization Designing and executing multi‑year category roadmaps, cost‑reduction initiatives, and strategic supplier strategies. Developing Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) strategies to improve service levels and unlock value beyond price. Building and deploying category strategies that incorporate market trends, risk modeling, value-engineering, demand forecasting, and supplier innovation. Leveraging technology platforms, spend analytics, supplier performance management, and market intelligence tools to drive data‑driven decisions. Applying analytics to supplier spend, evaluating market dynamics, and benchmarking pricing to identify value opportunities. Leading supplier selection events, including RFP development, proposal assessments, and scorecarding. Monitoring and tracking supplier performance KPIs to ensure continuous improvement and compliance. Building robust supplier partnerships that support innovation and reliability. Guiding contracting strategy, negotiate commercial terms, and support value‑based contract optimization. Partnering with technical stakeholders to evaluate proposals and ensure sourcing alignment with business needs. Tracking category‑specific market trends, economic drivers, price movements, and supply risks. Defining cost benchmarks, analyze supplier landscape shifts, and contribute insights to enterprise category strategy. Serving as a strategic advisor to business partners, ensuring alignment of sourcing strategy with operational and financial objectives. Ensuring user satisfaction through transparent communication and high‑quality execution. An employee hired at the Supply Chain Specialist IV level will be expected to perform all the above responsibilities with more proficiency, and in a more independent manner. Further, the Supply Chain Specialist IV level employee will be assigned additional responsibilities related to those above.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Business, Engineering, or related discipline and 4–7 years of relevant experience.
• OR High school diploma and 7–10 years’ sourcing/supply chain experience.
• Preferred experience in utility, engineering, construction, energized equipment, IT software/hardware, professional/consulting services, and related utility level procurement.
• Demonstrated success driving category improvements, cost optimization, and supplier performance enhancements.
• Knowledge of procurement policies, sourcing governance, terms and conditions (MSA) review, and compliance requirements.
• Experience with Coupa sourcing platform a plus.
• Qualifications at Supply Chain Specialist IV level include all the above plus: Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Business, Engineering, or related discipline and 7-10 years of relevant experience.
• OR High school diploma and 10 years’ sourcing/supply chain experience.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with Coupa sourcing platform a plus.

Responsibilities

• Designing and executing multi‑year category roadmaps, cost‑reduction initiatives, and strategic supplier strategies.
• Developing Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) strategies to improve service levels and unlock value beyond price.
• Building and deploying category strategies that incorporate market trends, risk modeling, value-engineering, demand forecasting, and supplier innovation.
• Leveraging technology platforms, spend analytics, supplier performance management, and market intelligence tools to drive data‑driven decisions.
• Applying analytics to supplier spend, evaluating market dynamics, and benchmarking pricing to identify value opportunities.
• Leading supplier selection events, including RFP development, proposal assessments, and scorecarding.
• Monitoring and tracking supplier performance KPIs to ensure continuous improvement and compliance.
• Building robust supplier partnerships that support innovation and reliability.
• Guiding contracting strategy, negotiate commercial terms, and support value‑based contract optimization.
• Partnering with technical stakeholders to evaluate proposals and ensure sourcing alignment with business needs.
• Tracking category‑specific market trends, economic drivers, price movements, and supply risks.
• Defining cost benchmarks, analyze supplier landscape shifts, and contribute insights to enterprise category strategy.
• Serving as a strategic advisor to business partners, ensuring alignment of sourcing strategy with operational and financial objectives.
• Ensuring user satisfaction through transparent communication and high‑quality execution.

Benefits

• competitive pay plus incentive compensation
• a company-sponsored pension plan
• 401(k) savings plan with matching employer contribution
• a 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: Mid Level