Category Manager

The Category Manager is responsible for managing suppliers and advising the buying team. The individual is responsible for all aspects of sourcing and procurement inclusive of: category management; supply partnerships and innovation; purchasing, coordinating and scheduling delivery for all materials and related services.  Provides the insight for category management, policy and supply standards (supplier, goods and services). Supports and partners with Program Managers, Operations, Inventory Management, Supply Chain inclusive of other Project Managers, Legal, Business Services and Finance/Accounting to achieve mutual business goals. Develops alternate sources of supply when vendors and suppliers are inadequate, such as analyzing markets and key commodities for supplier management. The Category Manager must excel when working in a fast-paced environment and be able to manage multiple projects and competing priorities with excellence and efficiency. This individual will partner with Agile’s cross functional teams, subcontractors, union crew and vendors to resolve issues involving customer needs.  This is a remote position with standard business hours allowing for great work life balance, the starting annual salary for this position is $75,000.

Agile Sourcing Partners is an industry-leading integrated solutions provider in both the gas and electric utility and construction markets. We deliver innovative, flexible, and value-driven solutions through a highly skilled, motivated, inclusive, and results-focused team.  

Agile offers a great benefit package for our team members including competitive pay, excellent medical, dental, vision and life insurance as well as immediate 401(k) participation & matching and Paid Time Off. If you are passionate about making a difference, consider joining our talented, diverse team!

Job Functions

• Strategic sourcing among suppliers
• Works within the supply management organization to maximize the value that is delivered to the client.   
• Collaborates with internal stakeholders, supply chain teams, and suppliers to use continuous improvement techniques to improve internal business unit and supply chain outcomes.   
• Provides solutions to business and operational supply chain challenges, improving processes to reduce total costs of ownership, and maintaining a strategic approach to procurement and supply management.   
• Oversees all stages of strategic procurement, helps facilitate supplier performance measurement, and collaborates with key suppliers to identify potential areas for improvement.
• Manages and identifies supplier alliance opportunities. 
• Supports internal utility Business Unit's supplier management efforts.
• Works with clients to develop and manage tools necessary to track supplier performance (ex: scorecards), communicates supplier performance metrics to relevant stakeholders on a regular basis, interfaces with all levels of Supply Management and Business Unit clients, including senior management, leads and participates in cross-functional teams, including representatives from Business Unit clients, DBE & Supplier Excellence, Information Technology, Metrics, procurement operations, and/or legal.
• Develops and maintains category plans that identify opportunities for operational efficiencies, drive cost savings, manage risk, improve safety, drive innovation, and ensure the continuous development of categories managed.
• Supervises, plans, manages, and assumes complete responsibility for all activities and processes associated with the procurement activities assigned.
• Performs thorough analysis to support the development of relevant plans, including but not limited to:
  1. Meeting with internal customers to understand their needs, requirements, and plans; 
  2. Determining the impact of joint efforts on supplier KPIs; 
  3. Conducting market research to identify new suppliers, to predict stresses on the supply base, and to manage pricing (e.g., index pricing and volume discounts).

Requirements

Job Qualifications

• Minimum Education: Bachelor’s Degree Business, Business Law, Finance, Accounting or directly related discipline or equivalent 4 years of experience in a Supply Chain environment.
• Minimum three years of Contract Management experience.
• Background in utilities highly preferred. 
• APICS or ISM Certified Procurement Professional preferred. 
• Minimum five years of Sourcing/Procurement experience.
• Transmission/Substation experience is preferred.

Competencies

• Proven experience in strategic Sourcing and Inventory management roles. 
• Demonstrated competence in cost reduction and process improvement.
• Strong proficiency in data analysis and forecasting methods.
• Familiarity with freight terms and shipping/invoicing procedures.
• Prior experience with business contractual documents required (MSA, MOU, NDA, Subcontracts). 
• Must be proficient in higher level financial terms of purchasing transactions (payments, balances, retention, AR, AP, accruals, depreciation, EPD, rebates, etc.).
• Working knowledge of inventory management software (e.g. SAP, SX.e).
• Strong leadership skills.
• Excellent interpersonal and communications skills, both written and oral, with the ability to professionally represent the company and program in multiple settings.
• Presents numerical data effectively and is able to read and interpret written information.
• Strong proficiency with computer skills including MS Outlook, Word, Excel, Project and PowerPoint.
• Ability to multitask, think strategically, problem solve and collaborate with team members.
• Highly motivated, results focused and acts with a high sense of urgency.

Conditions of Employment

• Legal documentation establishing identity and eligibility to be legally employed in the US. 
• Drug Testing required
• Criminal background check
• Clean DMV record
• Education verification
• Reference checks

Location: REMOTE

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