Category Manager I

Arizona Public Service generates reliable, affordable and clean energy for 2.7 million Arizonans. As the state’s largest and longest-serving energy provider, our more than 6,000 dedicated employees power our vision of creating a sustainable energy future for Arizona.

About the role

The Category Manager I is a specialized procurement role responsible for a specific category of goods or services. This position contributes to the strategic management of supply chain initiatives and spend optimization for a specific subcategory or major project, impacting organizational and business unit goals. Category spend is typically up to $25M with Supplier Relationship Management (SRM) impact on 1-2 key suppliers. The role assists in developing and implementing supply chain strategies, targets, and schedules to achieve cost management, supplier management (including supplier diversity), and process improvement objectives.

Responsibilities

• Develops and implements supply chain strategies for a specific category or subcategory to achieve targeted results in cost management, supplier management (including supplier diversity), and process improvements.
• Leverages market intelligence, should-cost modeling, negotiation methods, and total cost of ownership analysis to develop recommendations within a continuous improvement framework.
• Determines strategy and resources for supporting procurement requirements of major projects, including planning, integration, execution, and compliance of agreements.
• Participates in driving category management methodology to maximize lifecycle value from major spend categories.
• Coordinates supply chain processes to achieve expected results and interfaces with internal customers, suppliers, and supply chain staff to execute strategies.
• Manages supplier relationships, sets and tracks performance indicators, and develops solutions for significant issues.
• Assists in the selection, deployment, and management of strategies, tools, processes, and people to execute the company’s annual portfolio of sourcing projects.
• Contributes to cross-functional teams to achieve savings targets while balancing other business requirements.
• Participates in productivity improvement and process improvement efforts to support continuous improvement objectives.

Requirements

• A four-year Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Business, Engineering, or other job-related discipline from an accredited college or university, plus three (3) years of materials or services procurement experience with significant exposure to strategic supply chain management issues.
• In lieu of a bachelor’s degree: professional certification (e.g., CPM, CPSM) plus seven (7) years of significant, closely-related materials/services/supply chain experience, or an Associate’s degree in business or related discipline, professional certification (e.g., CPM, CPSM), plus five (5) years of significant, closely-related materials/services/supply chain experience.
• Experience conducting supplier negotiations.
• Experience reviewing and redlining contracts.
• Experience in RFx processes such as request for proposal (RFP), request for information (RFI), request for quote (RFQ), and/or request for bid (RFB).

Preferred Qualifications

• MBA or master’s degree in a related discipline.
• Professional certification (e.g., CPM, CPSM).
• Proficiency in specific subcategory and supply chain programs, techniques, tools, and concepts (including Total Cost of Ownership).
• Working knowledge and understanding of procurement and work management systems.
• Exceptional verbal and written communication, interpersonal, and presentation skills.
• Experience with Microsoft Office applications.
• Experience with inventory management.
• Familiarity with contract redlines, supplier negotiation, and RFx processes.

Schedule

Hybrid: Employees in hybrid roles work both remotely (from a home office) and in-person alongside colleagues. Hybrid employees are expected to work approximately 40% of their time in-person at an APS or other (non-home office) location. Employees must reside in Arizona (or New Mexico for Four Corners-based employees). A home office requires adequate technology and an appropriate ergonomic setup. Role types are subject to change based on business need.

Additional Information

This position may require access to and/or use of information subject to U.S. Export Control Laws. Applicants may need to confirm U.S. person status (U.S. Citizen, U.S. Lawful Permanent Resident, Political Asylee, or Refugee). For positions at Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Stations (PVNGS), applicants must be a U.S. person.