Title: Category Manager

Department: Supply Chain

Location:

Sacramento, CA, US, 95827-3824

Category: Procurement/Supply Chain

Minimum Pay Rate: $100,176.00

Maximum Pay Rate: $132,720.00

Apply by Date: 06/09/2023

SMUD is currently seeking a highly motivated and experienced Category Manager to join our dynamic team. As a Category Manager, you will play a vital role in optimizing our procurement processes, managing supplier relationships, and driving cost-effective strategies. Additionally, the Category Manager will perform market analysis, create procurement strategies, develop and source contracts, negotiate, and administer contracts.

If you're passionate about the procurement and possess a strong background in category management, we invite you to join us in shaping the future of delivering clean energy to Sacramento.

This posting intends to fill one (1) regular, full-time vacancy, and establish an eligibility list which may be used to fill future limited term or regular full-time vacancies over the next two (2) years.

Purpose

Drives category strategy working with business customers for multiple complex, high business impact categories. Responsible for the development and effective execution of sourcing strategy for critical categories using tools such as demand planning, MRP analysis, SAP reports and engaging customer. Plans for and leads competitive and non-competitive sourcing events and other activities in support of category strategies. Develops effective negotiation strategies and leads negotiations with their category suppliers to achieve category and business objectives. Manages risk mitigation efforts and oversees on-going monitoring activities for their respective categories. Forms and executes contracts with critical suppliers.

Nature and Scope

This is the senior/subject matter expert level resource in a relevant professional discipline; works independently on projects of moderate complexity; exercises independent judgment and discretion; may serve in a Lead role and assist in planning (including MRP analysis), coordinating, prioritizing, monitoring and evaluating the work results in assigned area and in selecting, training, motivating, evaluating and developing lower-level personnel.

Duties and Responsibilities

Strategic Sourcing

• Leads the development and implementation of category strategy to optimize cost and improve operations.

• Applies best practice approaches to multiple critical categories. In conjunction with logistics personnel, implements optimal inventory strategies including MRP tools and reports.

• Conducts analysis of supply, demand planning, application of MRP, market, commodity, supplier, contract and should cost modeling to determine category strategies.

• Monitors industry information and trends, and supplier risk profiles, to keep category strategy current while supporting business requirements.

• Develops complex sourcing events and qualifies, evaluates and selects suppliers for targeted categories of spend.

Supplier Relationship Management

• Leads multiple tier I supplier relationship management efforts focused on improving total cost of ownership, quality, delivery and continuous improvement.

• Develops plans with suppliers that support business goals and strategies to drive continuous improvement and collaboration to bring value to both the company and the supplier.

• Develops performance-based scorecards and monitors, documents and evaluates supplier performance including facilitating quarterly business reviews QBR with critical suppliers.

• Leads the resolution of disputes with suppliers.

Contracting

• Leads negotiations to establish contracts that support category strategies while meeting business area requirements.

• Reviews, analyzes, verifies and negotiates contract changes or additional work orders.

• Manage contractor claims to resolution and successfully minimize overall impact to cost and schedule.

• Ensures suppliers comply with contract terms and meet all commitments.

Risk Containment

• Applies understanding of underlying principles of contract law to administer all category contract agreements. In collaboration with business area management, manages and defines the risk elements of the contract and assembles all necessary documentation for obtaining insurance.

• Limits liability by ensuring all required documents and notices have been obtained and are satisfactory.

Project Management

• Creates and manages a Sourcing Action / project plan for the implementation of category strategy. Interacts with business leadership to integrate the procurement category management action planner CMAP and facilitate business project plans.

• Manages the implementation and completion of supplier, business and supply chain continuous improvement efforts.

Performs related duties as required.

Required Education

• High School diploma or equivalent

Required Experience Qualifications

Five or more (5+) years of progressively responsible relevant work experience in major, large dollar supply commodity categories and critical services or strategic buying or other relevant experience.

Knowledge Of

Project management principles and practices; negotiating techniques; strategy to obtain client commitment in an inclusive way that promotes mutual goals; SAP/MRP programs and reporting, the steps of the strategic sourcing process and ability to effectively implement strategic sourcing initiatives; practices for problem research and resolution; principles and techniques of research and analysis; principles of performance measures development, application, scheduling, MRP and evaluation; principals of project management, cost accounting, work management and managerial reporting systems; interrelationships between SMUD operations and relevant external; principles and practices for contract management; principles and practices of budget preparation and administration; SMUD policies, procedures, applicable MOUs and other special agreements; principles and procedures of record keeping and filing; principles of business letter writing and basic report preparation; mathematical principles; office procedures, methods, and equipment including computers and applicable software applications such as word processing, spreadsheets, and databases; safety policies, practices, and procedures; standard operating procedures for modern office equipment including a computer and applicable software; English grammar, punctuation, and vocabulary standards.

Skills To

Effectively influence others without authority to achieve understanding and commitment to act in support of ideas; programs or causes, extract, analyze, and use data to create business cases and executive level presentations; write negotiation plans and effectively conducting fact-based negotiations with suppliers to achieve the best total cost of ownership for SMUD; develop and manage strategy for a category or categories of spend; gather and analyze company, industry, and market information and evaluate the competitive dynamics and the impact of changes in technology and environment to identify suppliers and potential sourcing levers; communicate effectively orally and in writing internally/externally; establish and maintain effective internal/external working relationships and work effectively in diverse teams; demonstrate honesty, integrity and respect for others, a willingness to be flexible and open to change, and exhibit personal responsibility for safety.

Desirable Qualifications

• CPM, CPIM, CSCP, CPSM, or other supply chain related business certification

• Six Sigma

• SAP/SRM/Ariba/PowerAdvocate/ISNetworld proficiency

• Strong background in procurement, preferably within the electric utility industry purchasing power distribution equipment, transformers, switchgear, protective relays, and other relevant components.

• Experience negotiating pricing, commercial terms and conditions, and delivery of high-quality materials and equipment.

• Demonstrated ability to develop and implement strategic sourcing strategies to optimize procurement processes, reduce costs, and enhance overall efficiency.

• Familiar with PPI and CPI trends

• Experience with data analysis, financial analysis, and the use of procurement software and tools.

• Excellent communication and negotiation skills

• Experience in managing procurement projects, coordinating with cross-functional teams, and delivering projects within specified timelines.

Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD) - Who We Are

As the nation's sixth-largest community-owned electric service provider, we're proud of our reputation as one of the best places to work in Sacramento. Our employees tell us in our engagement surveys they're "Happy, satisfied and engaged" which helps create a workplace that best serves our customers. Sacramento was named as the 2nd happiest place to work in America by Forbes Magazine. Lake Tahoe, San Francisco and the world-renowned Napa Valley are within easy driving distance of our locations.

Our Commitment to Diversity & Inclusion

SMUD celebrates diversity, and inspires an inclusive culture based on trust and respect to create belonging and connection among our employees, customers, and communities. By working together, we are powering positive, equitable opportunities for all. We aspire to be a workplace where you can be yourself, achieve your best, and thrive together.

An example of our commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging is when SMUD signed the California Equal Pay Pledge in 2020. This requires equal pay for employees who perform “substantially similar work,” when viewed as a composite of skill, effort, and responsibility at the time those employees started within that classification. As such, initial hiring salary range is not subject to negotiation and salaries will vary over time based on performance.

SMUD is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate in employment decisions on the basis of race, color, religion, gender (including pregnancy), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, veteran status, or any other applicable legally protected characteristic. All employment decisions are made on the basis of individual qualifications, merit, and business needs and interests.

Why Sacramento, California?

The capitol of California, Sacramento is the state's sixth-largest city, and the 35th largest in the U.S. Local universities include California State University, University of the Pacific's McGeorge School of Law, and the University of California, Davis and several competitive community colleges. The UC Davis Medical Center, a world-renowned research hospital, is one of more than a dozen hospitals and shared services centers in the Sacramento region. Part of the agriculturally-rich Central Valley, Sacramento is at the forefront of the farm-to-fork food movement. Northern California is home to some of the country's top technology companies, including Google and LinkedIn, and a multitude of startups in many industries. Sacramento is home to the NBA Kings, the River Cats (AAA baseball), the Republic FC (soccer) and the San Francisco Giants, NBA Warriors and NFL 49er's aren't far away. Sacramento offers an affluent liberal arts community with Broadway, Mondavi Center, Crocker Museum and summer musical theater to name a few.

On-site Work

This role will be an on-site role that will require being in person at one of SMUD's campuses daily to complete work tasks.

SMUD provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, amnesty, or status as a covered veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws. SMUD complies with applicable state and local laws governing non-discrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including, but not limited to, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

SMUD expressly prohibits any form of unlawful employee harassment based on race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, or veteran status. Improper interference with the ability of SMUD employees to perform their expected job duties is absolutely not tolerated.

Req ID: 530