Senior Manager of Supplier Engagement-Diversity

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 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).  

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General Summary of Job Responsibilities

The Senior Manager of Supplier Engagement & Diversity is responsible for developing and implementing strategies that ensure the organization’s category management practices are diverse, equitable, and inclusive. This role is dedicated to identifying both emerging and established diverse suppliers who demonstrate the capability to meet category requirements and drive performance. The Senior Manager will establish, cultivate, and manage strong relationships with minority-owned, women-owned, veteran-owned, LGBTQ+-owned, and small businesses, while monitoring and measuring performance against key performance indicators for each category.

This position will collaborate closely with Supply Chain Category Management, Supplier Quality, Strategy & Sustainability, External Affairs, and other internal stakeholders to design and execute effective diverse supplier strategies and sourcing initiatives. The Senior Manager will also oversee the development and management of the Supply Chain’s Environmental and Social Governance (ESG) program and will be responsible for preparing and submitting Consumers Energy’s diversity reporting for federal contracting programs as required.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Oversee the reporting, analytics, and compliance for all diverse spend activities, including both Tier 1 and Tier 2. Prepare and deliver comprehensive reports and actionable insights to internal and external stakeholders—such as executives and board members—ensuring full adherence to regulatory and corporate reporting requirements.
• Continuously advance the sophistication and effectiveness of the Tier II reporting program. Collaborate with design and communications teams to clearly and compellingly communicate the impact of supplier diversity initiatives. Lead the creation, preparation, and presentation of monthly, quarterly, and annual supplier diversity spend reports, including the tracking and reporting of Tier 2 spend from Tier 1 prime suppliers.
• Stay abreast of industry trends and best practices by actively engaging in networking and benchmarking activities with other supplier diversity professionals and organizations. Represent Consumers Energy at industry roundtables and integrate new insights into existing processes and work practices.
• Benchmark, adopt, and implement best practices that promote inclusion and equity within category strategies. Establish key performance indicators (KPIs) and analyze program results to measure the effectiveness of inclusive sourcing efforts. Collaborate with senior leadership and external partners to advocate for, and support, the development of diverse suppliers.
• Develop and execute outreach strategies for event participation and sponsorships to enhance program visibility and drive positive outcomes for the Supplier Diversity Program. Manage award submissions and serve on relevant committees as appropriate. Act as the primary representative and spokesperson for Consumers Energy at public events, maintaining a high level of professionalism and visibility.
• Maintain thorough knowledge of major procurement activities and design strategies to identify, vet, and introduce potential suppliers, providing category-specific insights to the department. Ensure alignment with, and execution of, company policies and strategies related to diverse supplier inclusion, consistently achieving established targets.
• Administer the Supplier Diversity Program across the enterprise, serving as the Subject Matter Expert (SME) for all supplier diversity initiatives. Develop and implement both short- and long-term strategies that further the company’s commitment to Supplier Diversity, Inclusion, and Sustainability. Uphold the Consumers Energy brand by cultivating strong relationships with advocacy groups (such as NMSDC, WBENC, NVBDC), supplier councils, and community organizations.
• Perform other duties as assigned or required.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Proven ability to develop and implement strategies that deliver measurable results and drive program success.
• Exceptional stakeholder management and influencing capabilities, with experience engaging stakeholders at all organizational levels.
• Demonstrated skill in representing Consumers Energy and the Supplier Diversity Program to external audiences, including groups and individuals outside the company.
• Advanced written communication proficiency across diverse formats, including reports, presentations, websites, and social media platforms.
• Expertise in change management and the ability to serve as an effective influencer within cross-functional teams.
• Strong aptitude for cross-functional collaboration to achieve organizational objectives.
• Ability to analyze and interpret complex data points and emerging trends to inform decision-making.
• Solid understanding of lean methodologies and continuous improvement practices.
• Comprehensive knowledge of supplier diversity best practices, relevant policies, and compliance frameworks.
• Familiarity with sustainability and ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) principles as they relate to supply chain management.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor's degree in supply chain, planning, business, or liberal arts, with at least seven (7) years of experience in organizational change, storytelling, data analysis, cross-functional team leadership, supply chain/procurement, and advocacy for underrepresented groups or community engagement. 
• (OR) Associate’s degree in supply chain, planning, business, or liberal arts, with at least nine (9) years of experience in organizational change, storytelling, data analysis, cross-functional team leadership, supply chain/procurement, and advocacy for underrepresented groups or community engagement.
• (OR) High school diploma with at least eleven (11) years of experience in organizational change, storytelling, data analysis, cross-functional team leadership, supply chain/procurement, and advocacy for underrepresented groups or community engagement.
• Experience in supplier diversity and DE&I is a plus.

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.