What are the responsibilities and job description for the Category Manager - Energy & Utilities position at DRiV?
ABOUT THE ROLE
The Category Manager, Energy & Utilities develops and executes sourcing and category strategies for electricity, natural gas, utilities, renewable energy, and related services supporting ReMain Co operations. This role combines market insight, commercial leadership, and cross-functional partnership to improve total cost, strengthen supply continuity, manage supplier performance, and advance business energy and decarbonization priorities.
WHAT YOU WILL DO
Develop and execute category strategies for electricity, natural gas, utilities, renewable energy, and related energy services.
Monitor energy markets, supplier capabilities, pricing structures, regulatory developments, and commercial risks to inform sourcing decisions and stakeholder recommendations.
Lead category planning and competitive sourcing activities, including business requirements, RFx events, bid evaluations, total-cost analysis, supplier selection recommendations, and implementation planning.
Lead commercial negotiations and coordinate contract development for utility supply, energy services, renewable energy projects, and other assigned agreements.
Manage the utilities portfolio and work with external advisors on market-specific contracts and hedging strategies.
Evaluate opportunities for off-site power purchase agreements and on-site photovoltaic projects in alignment with business targets and the decarbonization roadmap.
Define supplier strategies and business models for on-site renewable energy projects and present recommendations to internal stakeholders.
Build and manage supplier relationships, monitor performance, and coordinate corrective actions related to cost, quality, delivery, service, sustainability, and contract expectations.
Partner with Plant Management, Operations, Facilities, EHS, Finance, Legal, Real Estate, Sustainability, and other stakeholders to define requirements, assess trade-offs, and support implementation.
Track and communicate project progress, savings, cost avoidance, contract status, supplier performance, risks, and recommended actions.
Identify opportunities for demand management, standardization, supplier consolidation, service improvement, risk mitigation, and continuous improvement.
Ensure sourcing and purchasing activities follow applicable company policies, approval requirements, ethical standards, and business controls.
WHAT YOU BRING
Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, Engineering, Finance, Operations, Energy Management, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience.
Progressive experience in strategic sourcing, procurement, category management, energy procurement, utilities management, or a related field.
Demonstrated experience leading supplier negotiations, RFx processes, commercial evaluations, contract management, and cross-functional projects.
Knowledge of electricity and natural gas procurement, utility markets, renewable energy, decarbonization, or energy sustainability initiatives.
Ability to analyze and simplify complex market, financial, supplier, and project information for business decision-making.
Strong communication, presentation, stakeholder-management, and organizational skills.
Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities across locations and functions while maintaining attention to detail and follow-through.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
Experience leading energy procurement in a manufacturing, industrial, automotive, or similarly complex multi-site environment.
Experience with off-site power purchase agreements, on-site photovoltaic projects, renewable energy sourcing, energy consulting firms, or hedging strategies.
Experience coordinating providers and cross-functional teams across multiple locations or countries.
Master’s degree, MBA, or a professional procurement, supply chain, or energy credential.
HOW YOU WILL CONTRIBUTE
Provide category leadership and fact-based recommendations on suppliers, commercial models, contract structures, and energy-market opportunities.
Lead assigned sourcing projects and category workstreams from planning through implementation.
Escalate significant commercial, operational, legal, regulatory, environmental, or supply-continuity risks to the appropriate functional owner.
Build alignment across stakeholders while ensuring commitments remain within approved authority and governance requirements.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
This role operates in a cross-functional, multi-site environment and regularly collaborates with internal stakeholders, suppliers, consultants, and service providers. Ideally this person will be based in Skokie, Illinois or Southfield, Michigan. Any final work model, schedule, travel expectations, and role-specific physical requirements will be confirmed during the hiring process.