About the Company:
Our client is a leading player in the energy sector, committed to innovation, sustainability, and excellence in all aspects of its operations. As they continue to grow and expand their presence in the industry, they are seeking a talented Category Manager to join their dynamic team.

Position Overview:
The Category Manager will play a pivotal role in driving strategic sourcing initiatives and managing supplier relationships within designated categories. This position requires a proactive individual with strong analytical skills, market knowledge, and the ability to effectively collaborate with cross-functional teams to optimize procurement strategies and achieve cost savings while ensuring quality and reliability.

Key Responsibilities:

• Develop and implement category strategies aligned with business objectives, focusing on cost reduction, risk mitigation, and supplier performance improvement.
• Conduct market research and analysis to identify emerging trends, opportunities, and potential risks within designated categories.
• Lead supplier selection, negotiation, and contract management processes to secure favorable terms and conditions while maintaining strong supplier relationships.
• Collaborate closely with internal stakeholders, including supply chain, operations, finance, and engineering teams, to understand requirements and develop category-specific solutions.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives, including process enhancements, supplier consolidation, and value engineering, to optimize the overall procurement function.
• Monitor and evaluate supplier performance against established key performance indicators (KPIs) and take corrective actions as necessary to ensure compliance with contractual agreements and service level expectations.
• Stay abreast of industry best practices, regulatory changes, and market dynamics to proactively identify opportunities for innovation and improvement within the procurement function.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in business administration, supply chain management, engineering, or a related field. Master's degree preferred.
• 5 years of experience in strategic sourcing, category management, or procurement within the energy or related industry.
• Proven track record of delivering cost savings, process improvements, and supply chain optimization initiatives.
• Strong negotiation skills with the ability to influence and persuade internal and external stakeholders at all levels.
• Excellent analytical abilities, including proficiency in market analysis, financial modeling, and data-driven decision-making.
• Familiarity with procurement tools and technologies, such as e-sourcing platforms, contract management systems, and spend analytics software.
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build and maintain relationships with suppliers, colleagues, and executive leadership.
• Certification in procurement or supply chain management (e.g., CSCP, CPSM, CIPS) is a plus.

Job Types: Full-time, Contract

Pay: $85,275.44 - $102,697.30 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Monday to Friday

Experience:

• Category management: 5 years (Preferred)
• Procurement: 1 year (Preferred)
• Purchasing: 5 years (Preferred)

Ability to Commute:

• Rockville, MD (Required)

Ability to Relocate:

• Rockville, MD: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: In person