Category Management Senior I

Primary Purpose
Performs in-depth analysis of category performance and market trends to inform sourcing strategies. Enhances organizational value by recommending improvements and supporting cross-functional collaboration on category initiatives.

Supports development and implementation of robust supply chain strategies and objectives for the business, specifically focused on the IT category. Works collaboratively within the procurement team and with key business stakeholders to ensure timely delivery of procurement strategies. Depending on the project or operations phase, supports procurement related IT-specific oversight activities in support of large-scale engineering/procurement/construction (EPC) projects, capital projects, operations, and project development for Sempra Infrastructure.
Duties and Responsibilities

• Leads complex RFx events and major contract negotiations for capital projects and IT-related spend. Develops and executes sourcing strategies in partnership with key stakeholders, driving cost optimization and challenging technical, commercial, and operational practices to deliver best value.
• Identifies and mitigates supply and contractual risks in collaboration with Legal, Insurance, Cyber, and other cross-functional teams. Ensures adherence to company Business Conduct policies, HSSE standards, and safety-first principles throughout the procurement lifecycle.
• Serves as the IT Supply Chain SME, strengthening supplier relationships and ensuring contract compliance. Drives continuous improvement in procurement strategies, processes, and systems across purchasing, contracting, warehousing, parts, storage, and surplus management.
• Conducts and documents market research and supplier financial risk assessments to evaluate vendor viability.
• Identifies and mitigates risks related to supply availability, cost fluctuations, and service or product quality.
• Maintains strong working relationships with internal teams and external partners to support alignment between sourcing activities and business initiatives.
• Monitors market trends and potential partner risks to ensure strategies remain aligned with organizational goals and evolving best practices.
• Promotes and upholds compliance with organizational policies throughout the entire purchasing and contracting process.
• Reviews sourcing activities and agreements to ensure they meet internal standards and regulatory requirements.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Education

• Typically requires a 4-year degree in a relevant field, or equivalent combination of relevant education and experience. Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain preferred.

Experience

• Typically requires 5 years of related experience.
• Experience in strategic sourcing, category management and supplier management in addition to proven experience in conducting Request for Information (RFI) and Request for Proposal (RFP) process and negotiations required.
• Experience in IT procurement (Software licenses, Hardware, IT-Consulting, Managed Services, SaaS) required.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Working With Others - Influencing, communication and facilitative skills, including cross cultures and geographies.
• Collaboration - Ability to work effectively in team setting and support change management within organization.
• Computer Skills - Knowledge with Microsoft Office 365 Suite (Excel, Word, SharePoint, OneDrive, etc.), collaborative tools and procurement tools (SAP Ariba).
• Category Management - The process of bundling like products into a singular category, or business unit, and then addressing procurement, merchandising, sales, and other retail efforts on the category as a whole.
• Commercial Negotiation - The planning, reviewing, analysis and other activities that a buyer and seller conduct to reach an agreement.
• Contract Management - Streamlining the creation, execution, storage or renewal of contracts, with a focus on compliance, often via software or other automated means.
• Cost Analysis - A process businesses use to analyze decisions, whereby a business sums the benefits of a situation or action and then subtracts the costs associated with taking that action.
• Market Analysis - Analyzing competing products, services, and organizations in the external business environment.
• Relationship Management - Activities undertaken to improve business relationships.
• Risk Management - Identifies, evaluates and manages risks by developing and implementing risk management strategies, frameworks, policies, procedures and practices.
• Sourcing Strategy - Builds a reliable and competitive supplier base, defines pricing strategies and procurement requirements and ensures timely delivery of goods and services to meet business objectives.
• Supplier Management - Identifies, acquires, and manages resources and suppliers that are essential to the operations of an organization.
• Supply Chain Management - Supply chain management is the management of the flow of goods and services and includes all processes that transform raw materials into final products.

Preferred Licenses and Certifications

• Certified Professional in Supply Management (CPSM).
• Certified Supply Management (CSM).
• Certified Professional in Supply Management (CPSD).
• Certified Professional in Inventory Management (CPIM).
• Certified Supply Chain Professional (CSCP).