Category Mgr

Consumers Energy is Michigan’s largest energy provider, providing natural gas and/or electricity to 6.8 million of the state’s 10 million residents in all 68 Lower Peninsula counties. Consumers Energy knows job number one is to keep the lights on for customers. We are committed to delivering reliable, clean, and affordable energy to our customers 24/7.  

Location: This is a hybrid (virtual/onsite) position with required onsite days on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday assigned to the One Energy Plaza located in Jackson, MI.  The selected candidate must be within a commutable distance or willing to relocate (relocation package is available for those that qualify).

GENERAL SUMMARY OF JOB RESPONSIBILITIES
The Category Manager is responsible for defining, developing, and executing the sourcing program for key spend categories to achieve cost savings and support objectives of strategic importance to business unit customers, supply chain, and the enterprise. The incumbent 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.

A Category Manager is a professional responsible for managing a specific group or category of products within a company.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
• Manage $100M+ in annual managed spend across respective categories. Act as the expert for assigned categories and monitor the market drivers, supplier base, emerging technologies, regulatory factors, category spend by supplier, inventory, supplier, and fill rate performance.*
• Perform market and financial analysis to understand key market forces and to determine and mitigate the business risk associated with a supplier or contract. Evaluate and leverage rigorous analysis of market and spend data to prioritize and target strategic sourcing initiatives within assigned categories.*
• Analyze spend and market data to develop thorough and effective long-term category strategies; develop exit strategies for non-performing suppliers; and co-own supplier relationships with key vendors. Determine the most strategic supply chain model to acquire the necessary products and services at the maximum level of savings.*
• Foster competition to deliver improved performance at a reduced cost. Follow the prescribed methodology and teach the organization, describing the underlying reasons for each step during competitive bidding event execution.*
• Collaborate with the Manager of Portfolio and Sourcing Manager to develop negotiation strategies and company positions on complex contracts; work with Legal to identify and incorporate appropriate levels of commercial protection; and conduct negotiations to ensure successful execution of strategies for optimal business outcomes. Distinguish between positions and interests to facilitate win-win results.**
• Identify new and diverse sources of supply and potential new products/technologies, and exhibit cradle-to-grave ownership for each assigned category.** Gain understanding of the industry, trends, and competitive landscape for assigned categories.
• Initiate “leading practices” within strategic procurement to achieve process excellence; stay abreast of industry innovations; and continuously improve the function and processes.**
• Establish and maintain professional relationships with suppliers/partners. Act as the primary liaison to suppliers within assigned categories. Develop and manage tools and key performance measures for chosen suppliers, and negotiate on multiple variables to award longer-term strategic contracts that result in significant cost reduction and improved service levels.**
• Responsible for overall performance management and profitability of specific categories across quality, delivery, and cost. Assume responsibility for budget development and revenue for the category.
• Collaborate with the Supply Chain team (Planning, Supplier Quality Portfolio, and Purchasing) to oversee pricing, delivery, and quality trends that will inform long-term and short-term strategies.
• Other duties as assigned or may be necessary.

KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS/ABILITIES
• Category plan development and management of large-dollar risk purchases
• Continuous improvement and productivity
• Contract development, management, and administration (may include Construction Specifications Institute)
• Knowledge of typical enterprise-wide functions and related products, equipment, and services
• Negotiations and competitive process
• Planning and forecasting
• Relationship management
• Spend and market analysis
• Supplier development and performance

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE
• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Engineering, Business, or Accounting/Finance field with two (2) or more years of experience in utility supply chain or project management
• (OR) Associate’s degree with four (4) or more years of experience in utility supply chain or project management
• (OR) High school diploma/GED with six (6) or more years of experience in utility supply chain or project management

Why should you join our team?

At Consumers Energy, we offer more than just a place to work. We foster a culture that supports career development, growth, and stability, and we take pride in offering our co-workers excellent benefits and compensation packages. We are deliberately creating an inclusive culture that makes our diverse team of co-workers feel valued, supported, and empowered every day. We're a company made up of thousands of people, all with different stories to share and work to do, but we stand united in our company purpose: world class performance delivering hometown service.

What we offer:

• Competitive compensation packages
• Medical, Dental and Vision
• 401k with company match
• Paid parental leave
• Up to 13 paid Holidays
• Paid time off
• Educational Assistance Program

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion: 

We, at CMS Energy, value Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion. It is part of our DNA. We treat our employees with respect, we treat each other fairly and we value the opinions of others. We are passionate about building and nurturing an environment where everyone feels included. We don’t discriminate. We seek to learn about each other and better understand our unique differences. Our uniqueness makes us authentic. We create safe spaces where everyone can be who they truly are. We invite difficult conversations and uncomfortable topics. We value diverse perspectives; this is what makes us great together. We harbor an inclusive environment where employees feel empowered to share their backgrounds, experiences, and ideas. Our Employee Resource Groups, Women in Energy (WE), Minority Advisory Panel (MAP), Pride Alliance of Consumers Energy (PACE), GENERGY, capABLE, Interfaith and Veterans Advisory Panel (VAP) are key enablers to living the values of our company culture: Caring, Empowered, Deliberate, Agility, and Ownership.

All qualified applicants will not be discriminated against and will receive consideration for employment without regard to protected veteran status, disability, race, color, religion, sex, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or national origin.