Category Lead

Category Lead

San Ramon or Oakland, CA - Hybrid

Perm Position

Relocation Provided

The ideal candidate will have :

Experience sourcing or leading a category strategy for large consulting services agreements. The suppliers are firms like PwC, EY, Client, KPMG, McKinsey, BCG, Bain, AT Kearney, or other top-tier consulting firms. Bonus if they have worked on accounting consulting strategies from the Big 4.

Strong expertise in category management, with deep understanding of pricing models, supply bases, and the nuances across consulting subcategories.

they are looking for candidates with strong, full-cycle sourcing experience who have demonstrated longevity and depth in specific categories. Candidates should have end-to-end category management experience : from strategy development through implementation to vendor management.

Please do not submit candidates who are primarily :

Contract specialists

Procurement managers with a focus only on contract administration

Project managers who have worked on short-term, project-based efforts

This role is broader in scope; while contracts are part of the day-to-day, they are just one aspect. We're looking for professionals with strategic sourcing expertise, not just tactical or administrative experience.

This position is hybrid, working from your remote office and your assigned work location based on business need. Preferred work location is Oakland, CA, but other locations may be considered. The assigned work location will be within the client Service Territory. Final work location will be determined between the hiring leader and successful candidate.

Bay Area Minimum : $126,000

MIDPOINT : $163K

Bay Area Maximum : $200,000

Looking for Big 4 or Professional Services experience.

Description : Department Overview

The Procurement organization is the functional lead for the procurement of materials and services at Company. The department collaborates with internal clients and suppliers managing more than client billion of annual company spend to develop mutually beneficial total value solutions for goods and services. The department provides the following services to internal clients : procurement of goods and services, strategic sourcing and cost savings, category management, supplier relationship management, supplier diversity planning, execution and outreach, compliance management, ongoing procurement field support and management of the source to pay cycle.

Position Summary

As a Category Lead, you will play a critical role in optimizing the sourcing and procurement strategy for one of the nation s largest gas and electric utilities, ensuring cost efficiency, supplier performance, and risk mitigation. You will lead strategic category planning, supplier negotiations, and contract management to drive value, resilience, and sustainability across the supply chain. Partnering with and influencing key internal stakeholders and leveraging market intelligence, you will develop and execute category strategies that align with business objectives, regulatory requirements, and industry best practices. This high-impact role requires a balance of analytical expertise, relationship management, and strategic vision to enhance operational excellence and support client s commitment to safe, reliable, and sustainable energy.

Job Responsibilities

Acts as subject matter expert for particular categories or services.

Develops and implements category plans and sourcing strategies for medium complexity categories that optimize cost, mitigate risk, and ensure supply continuity.

Leads competitive bidding processes including RFPs, RFIs, and negotiations to secure best-value agreements.

Negotiates, drafts, and manages contracts to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements, corporate policies, and industry standards.

Develops and sustains mutually beneficial strategic relationships with category suppliers, conducting regular performance reviews, fostering collaboration on innovation and continuous improvement, and ensuring alignment with the company s safety, reliability, and sustainability goals.

Partners with and influences cross-functional stakeholders and teams in developing sourcing and negotiation strategies for medium complexity spend categories

Maintains awareness of industry and market trends, supplier landscapes, and regulatory changes to drive informed decision-making and strategic sourcing initiatives.

Conducts and documents market research and supplier risk analysis to verify the financial health of existing and potential suppliers.

Qualifications

Minimum :

Bachelor s Degree in Business Administration, Supply Chain Management or job-related discipline or equivalent experience

6 years of experience in sourcing

Desired :

8 years of work experience in procurement, sourcing, or supply chain management, preferably in the utility, energy, or infrastructure sectors

Experience sourcing in Consulting / Professional Services, Construction / Related Services, or Materials

Proven ability to lead high-value negotiations, develop contract structures, and drive favorable outcomes

Strong analytical skills with experience leveraging spend analytics, cost modeling, and digital procurement tools to optimize category strategies

Competency in building partnerships and working collaboratively with others to meet shared objectives

Competency in developing strategic supplier partnerships, managing performance scorecards, and fostering supplier-driven innovation

Competency in engaging and influencing senior stakeholders, operations leaders, and legal teams, to align procurement strategies with business priorities

Competency in building and leading strong-identity teams that apply their diverse skills and perspectives to achieve common goals

Competency in applying project management theories, concepts, methods, best practices, and techniques as needed to perform at the job level

Knowledge of database and information systems e.g., ARIBA, SAP, etc. as needed to perform at the job level

Competency in leading cross-functional teams and to drive projects of medium complexity

Strong written and verbal skills

Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office

Master s Degree in Business Administration or job-related discipline or equivalent experience

LSS-Lean Six Sigma Certification

PMP-Project Management Professional certification

ISM-Institute for Supply Management CPSM-Certified Professional in Supply Management certification, or similar certification(s)