Consumers Energy is seeking two Supply Chain Sr Category Managers. These roles may be based in any of our Michigan locations and are eligible for a hybrid work model.
JOB DESCRIPTION
The Sr Category Manager is responsible for defining, developing, and executing the sourcing program for key spend categories to achieve costs savings and support objectives of strategic importance to business unit customers, supply chain, and the enterprise. The role collaborates with internal customers, suppliers, and supply chain teams to deliver value-added outcomes, procuring the best evaluated total cost of ownership while assuring quality and schedule compliance.
The Sr Category Manager will manage large, complex sourcing initiatives within any portfolio/category, and manage enterprise-wide initiatives including new technologies and business specific needs. They must understand all portfolio and category strategies, be an advocate for and communicate supply chain optimization initiatives and successes and be a subject matter expert in category management. As the SME in category management, this role will lead initiatives and/or problem-solving sessions to ensure that we are following sourcing best practices and creating policies/procedures that ensure consistency and control.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
The Sr Category Manager roles will be filled based on the following qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree in an applicable Supply Chain, Business or Accounting/Finance field, and 8 years of experience including:
- Materials or services buying experience
- developing/reviewing material and/or service contracts and agreements
- Knowledge and application of business law, commercial terms and conditions, and related legal issues
- Market knowledge of products, equipment, and services
- Understanding of typical enterprise-wide functions and related products, equipment, and services
If no bachelor's degree, the following combination of education an experience is required:
-
- Associates degree, and 12 years of work experience
- OR No degree, and 16 years of work experience
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- Utility supply chain (distribution, transmission, and/or generation)
- MBA or similar preferred
- Certified Purchasing Manager (C.P.M.) or Certified Professional in Supply Management (C.P.S.M) preferred
- Background in Lean, Six Sigma, or similar process improvement models preferred
- Project management
SKILLS/RESPONSIBLITIES
The Sr Category Manager should have skills and expertise in the following areas:
- Category plan development and management plan development and management
- Large dollar risk purchases
- Supplier development and performance
- Negotiations and competitive process
- Contract development and management
- Spend and market analysis
- Planning and forecasting
- Continuous improvement and productivity
- Relationship Management
- Leadership skills
Responsibilities Include:
- Category management: On average, manages between $100M-$200M in annual managed-spend across respective categories. Acts as the corporate expert for assigned categories and monitors the market drivers, supplier base, emerging technologies, regulatory factors, category spend by supplier, inventory, supplier and fill rate performance. Exhibits cradle-to-grave ownership for each assigned category
- Spend and market analysis: Monitors market and financial analysis to understand key market forces and to determine and mitigate the business risk associated with a supplier or contract. Reviews the analysis of market and spend data to prioritize and target strategic sourcing initiatives within portfolio, taking a company-wide view of the assigned categories
- Sourcing strategies: Synthesizes spend and market analyses to develop thorough and effective sourcing strategies. Supports the use of spend/market data and analytics to develop thorough and effective sourcing strategies. Focuses on assessing business requirements and matching plans to meet business needs
- Competitive process: Fosters competition to deliver improved performance at a reduced cost. Follows the prescribed methodology and teaches the organization, describing the underlying reasons for each step during competitive bidding event execution. Coach category managers and customers on best practices
- Negotiations: Collaborates to develop negotiation strategies and company positions on high-dollar, high-value contracts, works with Legal to identify and incorporate appropriate levels of commercial protection, and conducts negotiations to ensure successful execution of strategies for optimal business outcomes. Distinguishes between positions and interests to facilitate win-win results
- Claims and disputes strategy development: Analyzes and develops company position on claims and disputes, and subsequently consults with senior management to resolve/negotiate claims and disputes associated with complex procurements
- Specification management: Leads the process from specification/definition of need through contract administration and investment recovery. Determines the most strategic supply chain model to acquire the necessary products and services at the maximum level of savings. Identifies new sources of supply, and potentially acceptable new products/technologies
- Relationship management: Maintains strong, positive, and influential relationships with key suppliers. internal stakeholders, and employees to assure long-term, cost-effective continuity of supply while delivering quality service to the company
- SME, Lead, Coach: As the SME in category management, it is his/her responsibility to coach and teach category managers and help with any complex situations where the category is large and spend is high. Category Specialist(s) may indirectly/informally report to this individual.
- Continuous improvement: Initiates "leading practices" within strategic procurement to achieve process excellence; stays abreast of industry innovations, and continuously improves the function and processes
- Supplier development and performance: Establishes and maintains professional relationships with suppliers/partners, based on the highest ethical business practices set forth in company policy. Acts as the primary liaison to suppliers within assigned categories. Develops and manages tools and key performance measures for chosen suppliers and negotiates on multiple variables to award longer-term strategic contracts that result in significant cost reduction and improved service levels.
Consumers Energy
1 Energy Plz
Jackson
Michigan United States
www.consumersenergy.com
