Principal Category Leader

Principal Category Leader
Duration: 3 month contract
Location: Oakland, CA - onsite 3-5 days per month
Pay range: $100.00/hour - $127.00/hour

Top three qualifications
Sourcing life cycle management experience, strong negotiation skills with demonstrated cost savings, experience managing software, hardware, and /or Telecom
Ariba experience

Conducts and documents market research and supplier risk analysis to verify the financial health of existing and potential suppliers
Creates and maintains category plans.
Develops and review performance data with suppliers. Works with suppliers to drive ongoing value discovery.
Develops and sustains mutually beneficial strategic relationships with tier 1 and cross-portfolio suppliers.
Leads cross-functional team through strategic sourcing process and development/execution of negotiation strategies for software, hardware, and telecom categories
Leads the development of category strategies of high complexity
Maintains awareness of industry and market trends through ongoing research
Sets market trends on particular commodities by working with the industry on best practices.
Subject matter expert for particular commodities or services in the industry.
Works with senior management to support strategic planning and decision-making at the officer level'

Skills:
Develops and manages one or more sourcing spend categories and manages all Tier 1 contracts associated with the category(ies).
Develops strategic category plans to optimize cost savings, service excellence, diversity spend and total cost of ownership for the categories.
Effectively influences LOBs, including senior leadership, to achieve understanding, acceptance, and commitment of sourcing strategies.
Works with Line of Business (LOB) to develop, source and negotiate major contracts.
Plays a key role in Supplier Relationship Management / Scorecard process.
Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and (Technical) Competencies Desired
Ability to analyze and combine information from different sources and use logic to reach appropriate conclusions as needed to perform at the job level
Ability to apply contract processes and procedures and relevant contracts and licensing - for example ESC, IBEW, tort, contract law - as needed to perform at the job level
Ability to work independently with limited oversight
Knowledge of Microsoft Office Products - for example Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Access - as needed to perform at the job level
Competency in relating openly and comfortably with diverse groups of people
Competency in building partnerships and working collaboratively with others to meet shared objectives
Competency in building strong-identity teams that apply their diverse skills and perspectives to achieve common goals
Knowledge of the technical/functional aspects of the trade, occupation, or role as needed to perform at the job level
Knowledge of database and information systems - for example SCADA, EMS, OMT, OIS, SAP, ERP, COSO, Teradata, COBIT, Question Mark - as needed to perform at the job level
Competency in building strong-identity teams that apply their diverse skills and perspectives to achieve common goals
Competency in building partnerships and working collaboratively with others to meet shared objectives

Education Minimum
Bachelors Degree or equivalent experience

Education Desired
Masters Degree in Business Administration or job-related discipline or equivalent experience

License/Certification Desired
ISM-Institute for Supply Management CPSM-Certified Professional in Supply Management certification
LSS-Lean Six Sigma Certification

Experience Minimum
Experience in supply chain, or related, 10 years

Experience Desired
Experience in procurement, or related
Utility industry experience
Job-related experience, 10 years'



Benefits: (employee contribution)
Health insurance
Health savings account
Dental insurance
Vision insurance
Flexible spending accounts
Life insurance
Retirement plan

We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements. Pursuant to applicable state and municipal Fair Chance Laws and Ordinances, we will consider for employment-qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records. For Los Angeles, CA applicants: Qualified applications with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers and the California Fair Chance Act.