Category Lead, IT & Cybersecurity - Intermediate

The Category Lead is responsible for helping drive value through the strategic sourcing and the supplier relationship management processes by independently leading and managing multiple strategic enterprise sourcing initiatives. The applicant must be highly analytical and self-driven with a proven ability leverage their category expertise to negotiate contractual agreements, collect and analyze data, build out cost models, draw conclusions, present findings to drive decisions, and track and manage supplier performance metrics. The Category Lead must possess an ability to work in a fast-paced, changing environment and still meet business performance measures, including timelines for sourcing and contracting activities and planning for future sourcing needs of the business units, particularly Cybersecurity and IT. The Category Lead reports to the Manager, Category Management.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities:

• Establishing, leading/facilitating, and supporting cross functional category management teams to develop and maintain category plans and ongoing category performance

• Developing deep knowledge and experience within assigned spend management responsibilities

• Developing spend/performance and external market analyses to monitor category performance and identify performance improvement opportunities

• Developing spend and savings/performance improvement forecasts to monitor progress and ensure goals are achieved

• Developing plans to capture identified opportunities

• Defining category requirements through collaborative efforts with respective stakeholder groups

• Collaborating with stakeholder groups to develop consensus on the appropriate category plans and priorities

• Leading performance improvement initiatives defined by the category plan including strategic sourcing and other performance improvement initiatives

• Establishing, leading/facilitating, and supporting cross functional strategic sourcing/performance improvement teams as needed/prescribed by category plans to achieve savings and performance targets (e.g. reduce cost, improve quality and result in a lower total cost of ownership, meeting supplier diversity goals)

• Leading negotiations with suppliers as needed

• Maintaining critical supplier agreements including renewals, negotiation of terms, issue identification, tracking and resolution

• Supplier Management responsibilities include:

• Developing and maintaining supplier criticality ratings and managing resulting critical supplier relationships

• Managing supplier relationships including conducting Quarterly Business Reviews with critical suppliers and NiSource Executive Sponsors

• Stakeholder Management responsibilities include:

• Developing successful partnerships with key stakeholders / business partners to achieve desired results

• Developing and managing cross-functional category management and strategic sourcing teams as needed

• Collaborating with stakeholders to drive needed decisions to achieve desired results

• Supporting and driving a successful Cybersecurity transformation program leveraging pre-existing NiSource tools and templates, as applicable, under a tight timeline.

Required Qualifications for Position:

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or equivalent work-related experience

• Proven track record to deliver results and achieve goals

• Demonstrated ability to develop effective working relationships with others

• Experience leading cross-functional teams

• Ability to build support and consensus

• Proven financial acumen and analytical abilities

Preferred Additional Qualifications for Position:

• MBA

• Certified Procurement Manager (CPM)

• Five years of leadership experience

• Experience negotiating and managing large IT supplier agreements

• Experience working in a Shared Services organization

• Supply Chain experience in the utility industry

• Supply Chain experience supporting Information Technology and Cybersecurity sourcing and contracting activities

• Knowledgeable in category management and strategic sourcing practices

• The preceding description is not designed to be a complete list of all duties and responsibilities required of the position.

As a public utility, NiSource is required to provide continuous service to customers at all times. To ensure we fulfill that obligation, employees may be required to work outside their normal work hours and perform tasks outside of their normal responsibilities in support of emergency operations.

Work Authorization

Authorized to work in the United States without requiring sponsorship.

Workplace Connection

Value inclusion within your day to day responsibilities by respecting others perspectives/convictions, engaging others opinions, creating a safe environment where people, ideas, and opinions are valued within your Team/Customers and external partners.

Respect the unique lived experiences within your Team/Customers and external work partners by valuing different world views, challenges, and cultures that represents all walks of life and all backgrounds.​

Treat others with respect and consideration. Actively participate in creating and contributing to a positive work environment.

Equal Employment Opportunity

NiSource is committed to providing equal employment opportunities in each of its companies to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin or ancestry, veteran status, disability, gender, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, sex (including pregnancy, lactation, childbirth or related medical conditions), genetic information, citizenship status, or any protected group status as defined by law. Each employee is expected to abide by this principle.

By applying, you may be considered for other job opportunities.

Safety Statement

Promote a safe work environment by actively participating in all aspects of our employee safety program. Report any unsafe conditions and take actions to prevent personal injuries. Support our interdependent safety culture by ensuring the safety of your co-workers. Stay focused on the task at hand and promote productivity through good work habits.

Salary Range*:

$93,800.00 - $140,700.00

*The salary offered to a candidate is based on several factors including but not limited to the candidate’s skills, job-related knowledge, and relevant experience , as well as internal pay equity .

Posting Start Date:

2025-06-12

Posting End Date (if applicable):

2025-06-26

Please note that the job posting will close on the day before the posting end date.

At NiSource, you'll be part of the team serving nearly four million customers throughout the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic, who count on us to energize their homes and businesses. Whether speaking with customers by phone, analyzing financial data or installing new gas lines in a neighborhood, you’ll meet exciting challenges each day and make the most of your skills and talents. And you’ll be part of a company that was named by Forbes magazine as one of America’s Best Large Employers.

We're looking for talent from all backgrounds. We invite candidates of all abilities to come as they are and do what they love. Through our years of successful growth, we’ve stayed true to our roots by making a difference in the lives of millions of our customers. If you’re interested in joining an inclusive, innovative company that fosters opportunity for growth, NiSource might be the place for you.