Category Management Specialist (Procurement)

The Category Management Specialist is responsible for managing supplier and vendor relationships, developing and executing strategies in collaboration with key stakeholders for assigned categories within JEA Procurement. This may include, but is not limited to, conducting/gathering market research and intelligence, strategic sourcing, vendor management; contract management and category spend analysis. Accountable for driving procurement value within the assigned categories, reducing supply risk, managing suppliers and developing strong supplier relationships, and improving overall quality and effectiveness of sourcing efforts. Ensures all processes and actions of JEA are in compliance with the JEA Purchasing Code and all applicable federal, state and local procurement laws and regulations. Responsible for ensuring that fair and open competitive procurement processes are utilized to the fullest extent and that JEA receives the best value from its procurement actions.

• Leads assessment and execution of strategic procurement opportunities in assigned categories of spend

• Regularly monitor the market for category leading practices and demand/supply shifts such as supply consolidation, technology innovations, etc.

• Provides consultation to internal business partners for the development and implementation of strategic procurement initiatives for the development of a supplier portfolio optimized for the needs of the business unit and multi-year business plans.

• Works with business units growing relationships and advocating the use of contracts developed within the responsible categories while keeping business areas informed about significant changes in market conditions. Manage and execute sourcing strategies for assigned categories through technical, functional, and market knowledge, in support of the business’ short-term and long-term plans.

• Identify and capture cost improvement opportunities for assigned category(s) beyond sourcing alone, such as demand management, inventory optimization, process improvements (i.e. insource vs. outsource and innovation). Consults with business partners to execute improvement opportunities and align strategic plans against Target metrics across the portfolio; planning for cost reduction, cost avoidance and value add projects over a multi-year plan.

• Scope, lead, and deliver identified Supply Chain projects and primary internal business drivers for external goods/services related to assigned category(s), including strategic sourcing and inventory optimization.

• Manages supplier and vendor relationships for assigned category(s) including building/reviewing supplier scorecards to measure performance and executing supplier improvement programs throughout the full contract life cycle(s).

• Manages supplier and vendor negotiations, discussions and issue resolution pertaining to quality, service or contract terms; Identifies and investigates non-compliance to contracts and resolves root causes issues where possible

• Develop category strategies based on analysis of JEA financial spend data, supply market dynamics, category intelligence, and business requirements; gathers and maintains category demand information and market research; builds spend analysis for category(s) and identifies potential opportunities within assigned category(s); leads and consults with the business in developing strategy to execute against opportunities.

• Collaborate with Analytics support team to build standardized reporting and dashboards for internal and external use; Analyze data to identify patterns, discrepancies, and/or opportunities and present findings and recommendations to leadership and business partners; Assist in maintaining master data accuracy and updating systems as appropriate.

• Manages supplier and vendor CIP Compliance and regulatory requirements per JEA policies and procedures.

• Works as advisor to business units providing input into budget and cost forecasts, and recommendations on opportunities for cost improvements on multi-year projects.

Qualifications - External

Education: Bachelor's degree in supply chain, Engineering, Business, or a related field. MBA or related advanced degree preferred.

AND

Experience: Five (5) years-successful business experience with demonstrated results in strategic sourcing, category management, contract and supplier management or related field.

OR

A comparable combination of education, experience and training