Category Leader

Category Leader, Expert

Location:

Oakland, CA

Onsite Flexibility:
Hybrid — required on-site 3–5 days per month depending on business needs (Oakland)

• Position Type:
  Contract
• Contract Duration: 4 months
• Pay Rate: $95.00–$100.00 / 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.

The Category Leader, Expert is responsible for developing and managing one or more sourcing spend categories and managing a delegated portion of Tier 1 and 2 Software, Telecom, and hardware contracts. This role develops strategic category plans to optimize cost savings, service excellence, diversity spend, and total cost of ownership for the categories. The Category Leader effectively influences Lines of Business (LOBs), including senior leadership, to achieve understanding, acceptance, and commitment of sourcing strategies, and works with LOBs to develop, source, and negotiate major contracts.

This position plays a key role in the Supplier Relationship Management / Scorecard process.

• 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 2 IT software and hardware suppliers
• Leads cross-functional team through strategic sourcing process and development/execution of negotiation strategies for mid-complexity spend categories
• Leads the development of category strategies of medium complexity
• Maintains awareness of industry and market trends through ongoing research
• Subject matter expert for particular commodities or services

• 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
• Ability to apply project management theories, concepts, methods, best practices, and techniques 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

• 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)

• Experience in supply chain, or related field — 7 years minimum

• Experience in contract management
• Experience in strategic sourcing — 8 years
• Experience in procurement, or related field — 8 years

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

• Local candidates to the Bay Area/Oakland work location only — submit local candidates only
• Supplier must provide a laptop for the assignment and any other additional equipment needed
• Personal phone required (no reimbursement); alternatively, MS Teams may be used for calls and meetings
• With manager prior…