Category Management Specialist

Job Title: Expert Category Leader

Job Location: Oakland; San Ramon (Hybrid)

This position is hybrid, working from your remote office and your assigned work location based on business need.

Salary Range: $160K to $165K annually

Having said that, there may be some flexibility for negotiation if you progress to the final stage of the interview process. Open to making an exception for the right candidate

Position Summary

We are seeking a seasoned Category Leader to own and drive strategic sourcing initiatives within a high-value spend category, with a primary focus on Professional Services (consulting) or Indirect IT. This role is designed for a specialist with deep category expertise, responsible for leading end-to-end category management—from strategy development through sourcing execution and ongoing supplier management.

The ideal candidate will have a strong track record of managing large-scale consulting engagements, leading complex RFPs/RFIs, and negotiating high-value contracts with top-tier firms. This individual will work closely with senior stakeholders to align procurement strategies with broader business objectives while leveraging market intelligence, pricing models, and supplier insights to deliver cost efficiencies and business value.

Success in this role requires a strategic mindset, strong analytical capabilities, and the ability to influence cross-functional teams while maintaining robust supplier relationships.

Job Responsibilities

• Acts as subject matter expert for particular categories or services.
• Develops and implements category plans and sourcing strategies for medium complexity categories that optimize cost, mitigate risk, and ensure supply continuity.
• Leads competitive bidding processes including RFPs, RFIs, and negotiations to secure best-value agreements.
• Negotiates, drafts, and manages contracts to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements, corporate policies, and industry standards.
• Develops and sustains mutually beneficial strategic relationships with category suppliers, conducting regular performance reviews, fostering collaboration on innovation and continuous improvement, and ensuring alignment with the company’s safety, reliability, and sustainability goals.
• Partners with and influences cross-functional stakeholders and teams in developing sourcing and negotiation strategies for medium complexity spend categories
• Maintains awareness of industry and market trends, supplier landscapes, and regulatory changes to drive informed decision-making and strategic sourcing initiatives.
• Conducts and documents market research and supplier risk analysis to verify the financial health of existing and potential suppliers.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration, Supply Chain Management or job-related discipline or equivalent experience
• 6 years of experience in sourcing

Desired:

• 8 years of work experience in procurement, sourcing, or supply chain management, preferably in the utility, energy, or infrastructure sectors
• Experience sourcing in Consulting / Professional Services, Construction / Related Services, or Materials
• Proven ability to lead high-value negotiations, develop contract structures, and drive favorable outcomes
• Strong analytical skills with experience leveraging spend analytics, cost modeling, and digital procurement tools to optimize category strategies
• Competency in building partnerships and working collaboratively with others to meet shared objectives
• Competency in developing strategic supplier partnerships, managing performance scorecards, and fostering supplier-driven innovation
• Competency in engaging and influencing senior stakeholders, operations leaders, and legal teams, to align procurement strategies with business priorities
• Competency in building and leading strong-identity teams that apply their diverse skills and perspectives to achieve common goals
• Competency in applying project management theories, concepts, methods, best practices, and techniques as needed to perform at the job level
• Knowledge of database and information systems – e.g., ARIBA, SAP, etc. – as needed to perform at the job level
• Competency in leading cross-functional teams and to drive projects of medium complexity
• Strong written and verbal skills
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office
• Master’s Degree in Business Administration or job-related discipline or equivalent experience
• LSS-Lean Six Sigma Certification
• PMP-Project Management Professional certification
• ISM-Institute for Supply Management CPSM-Certified Professional in Supply Management certification, or similar certification(s)