Principal Category Leader

Category Leader, Principal

Location: Oakland, CA

Onsite Flexibility: Hybrid 3 5 days per month on-site based on business needs (local candidates only)

Contract Details

• Position Type: Contract
• Contract Duration: 4 months
• Pay Rate: $120.00 $123.00 / Hour (USD)
• Work Authorization: Applicants must be authorized to work for ANY employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa at this time.

Job Summary

This role is a senior-level sourcing and procurement position focused on leading category management across software, hardware, and/or telecom categories. The Principal Category Leader conducts market research and supplier risk analysis, develops and leads strategic sourcing initiatives, and builds mutually beneficial relationships with tier 1 and cross-portfolio suppliers. The position supports strategic planning and decision-making at the officer level in collaboration with senior management.

Key Responsibilities

• 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 reviews 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
• Serves as 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
• 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 Lines of Business (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

Required Skills

• 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
• Software, hardware, and/or telecom sourcing experience
• Ariba experience
• Strong negotiation skills with demonstrated cost savings
• Sourcing life cycle management experience

Preferred Skills

• Experience in procurement, or related field
• Utility industry experience

Education Requirements

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience (required)
• Master's degree in Business Administration or job-related discipline or equivalent experience (desired)
• ISM Institute for Supply Management CPSM (Certified Professional in Supply Management) certification (desired)
• LSS Lean Six Sigma Certification (desired)

Required Experience

• 10 years of experience in supply chain, or related field (minimum)

Nice-to-Have Experience

• Experience in procurement, or related field
• Utility industry experience
• 10 years of job-related experience

Benefits

• Medical, Vision, and Dental Insurance Plans
• 401k Retirement Fund

Important Notes

• Local candidates only submissions limited to candidates in the Bay Area / Oakland work location
• Supplier/staffing firm must provide a laptop and any additional equipment needed for the assignment
• Personal phone required; no reimbursement provided alternatively, MS Teams may be used for calls and meetings
• With manager prior approval, expenses can be reimbursed if travel is needed for negotiations or team meetings
• A pre-determined amount for cell and internet can be expensed monthly

About GTT

GTT is a minority-owned staffing firm and a subsidiary of Chenega Corporation, a Native American-owned company in Alaska. We highly value diverse and inclusive workplaces and support Fortune 500 organizations across banking, financial services, technology, life sciences, biotech, utilities, and retail sectors throughout the U.S. and Canada.

Job Number: 26-12852

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