Category Sourcing Manager

No Expiration Date

This posting will remain open until the position is filled. We encourage you to apply early as we will review and consider candidates as they are received.

Key Roles

The Category Sourcing Manager is responsible for primarily handling high value sourcing requirements for complex services and materials. This position has overall responsibility and accountability for the development and execution of strategic category plans for assigned categories to optimize value, service excellence, and total cost of ownership for the category. Leads supplier management and stakeholder relationship management. Responsible for ensuring policy compliance, budget control, and process efficiencies by seeking and selecting the lowest total cost of ownership via sourcing strategies to procure goods and services. This includes the application of category management, strategic sourcing, negotiations, market intelligence, creation of formal contracts, project planning and management, change orders and other methods to ensure that suppliers meet the specific terms of the contracts, maintain complete compliance of those terms, and monitor the success of projects through supplier and project management. This can entail all aspects of the procure to pay process to determine the best interests and needs of the Cooperative.

Key Responsibilities

- Engage internal stakeholders across the organization to align priorities, drive business results, and demonstrate how the EKPC supply chain can effectively deliver service and value.

- Lead cross-functional teams through sourcing process. Conduct spend analysis, needs assessment, benchmarking and business case development. Identify potential cost savings, spend reduction, supplier consolidation and standardization opportunities. Develop category sourcing strategies. Lead supplier selection and recommendation activities including: qualitative and quantitative analysis, selection criteria, long and short lists, RFI and RFP development and analysis. Lead development and execution of negotiation strategies. Work with Legal and Risk Management to identify and mitigate contract risks.

- Maintain industry and market trend knowledge through research and networking. Consider environmental impact of sourcing decisions. Create commodity specific sourcing strategies to optimize the supply base, diversity spending and total cost of ownership. Achieve category savings. Develop and manage supplier scorecards and supporting programs. Address and resolve supplier performance issues.

- Build and sustain business partnerships with internal stakeholders. Maintain a customer focus through communication and understanding the line of business needs. Improve stakeholder understanding and commitment to the Supply Chain Policy and industry best practices. Work with subject matter experts to gather and assess business requirements. Monitor and maximize customer satisfaction using standardized reporting metrics. Achieve customer satisfaction targets including completion of sourcing projects and contract renewals on time and maintaining due date compliance.

- Administer all aspects of assigned major contracts, categories, and commodities. This includes but is not limited to negotiating commercial terms, monitoring and managing supplier performance, contract releases, change orders / field work directives, and developing Board Resolutions required for the approval of projects, award of contracts, as well as related amendments and closeouts.

- Handle transactional purchase orders as required.

- Ensure that schedules are adhered to and continually monitor projects as to time requirements and completion dates. Utilize project management tools to ensure compliance.

- Follow Supply Chain strategic sourcing requirements, including Phase Gate Reviews and fully utilize work management tools and proper system functionality.

- Maintain all pertinent information related to qualified suppliers and research the market for competitive solutions as well as to identify material and labor cost drivers.

- Qualify new and existing suppliers as required.

- Provide data as necessary and prepare items for submittal to Rural Utility Services and/or EKPC Board of Directors, i.e., contract approvals, change orders, closeouts, land acquisitions, Work Plan Amendments, Board resolutions, etc.

- Responsible for supplier management and related process improvement including on-time delivery, supplier performance, pricing reviews, reporting, reviews, etc.

- Assist in the development of annual budgets.

- Guide project staff and advise senior managers on contractual issues based on knowledge of contractual documentation.

- Manage work within categories. Assign tasks, requestions and projects to sourcing agents on sub-team to ensure business needs are met. Lead and mentor sourcing agents.

- Utilize technology, especially ERP Sourcing tools, to optimize work process and serve as a functional expert to assist with training department members for full utilization.

- Support and assist with development of department and cooperative strategic objectives.

- Address and resolve all related issues including but not limited to supplier performance, invoice resolution, business unit integration, process recommendations, etc.

- Perform other duties as assigned.

Key Requirements

Education:

- Bachelor's degree in a related area. An equivalent combination of education and experience may substitute.

- ISM certification (CPSM or CSM) required within four (4) years of employment. ISM certification requirements may be exempt with ten years of continuous sourcing experience.

Experience:

- Ten (10) years related experience.

- Project management experience required.

- Maximo Supply Chain software, category management, and industry experience preferred.

Skills and Abilities:

- Strong working knowledge of bid specifications, contracts, and legal terminology.

- Strong negotiation skills and well-versed in fundamentals of economics.

- Proficient in the use of documents, legal instruments, and contracts.

- Strong personal computer skills including ability to learn Maximo program for purchasing and inventory.

- Excellent verbal, written, and listening communication skills, including public speaking and presentation skills.

- Strong customer relations orientation.

- Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to work with staff at all levels of the organization, including external contacts.

- Provides thorough and timely communication to leadership, team, and stakeholders.

- Ability to effectively plan and prioritize work, manage time, and adhere to deadlines.

- Excellent organization skills and attention to detail.

- Ability to work independently and in a team oriented, collaborative environment.

- Ability to maintain confidentiality at all times and use appropriate discretion in discussing confidential issues.

Competencies

- Building Partnerships

- Technical/Professional Knowledge & Skills

- Communication

- Negotiation

- Planning and Organizing

Working Conditions

- Usual office conditions with regular lifting up to ten (10) pounds and occasional lifting up to fifty (50) pounds.

- Occasional travel to power plants, service centers, substations, construction sites and supplier sites required. Occasional out-of-state and overnight travel.

- Work may be required outside of normal work hours.

- Must maintain valid driver's license.

- Must wear personal protective equipment as appropriate.