Principal Category Leader

Category Leader, Principal Location: Oakland, CA Onsite Flexibility: Hybrid — 3–5 days per month on-site based on business needs (local candidates only) Contract Details Position Type: ContractContract Duration: 4 monthsPay Rate: $120.00–$123.00 / Hour (USD)Work Authorization: Applicants must be authorized to work for ANY employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa at this time. Job Summary This role is a senior-level sourcing and procurement position focused on leading category management across software, hardware, and/or telecom categories. The Principal Category Leader conducts market research and supplier risk analysis, develops and leads strategic sourcing initiatives, and builds mutually beneficial relationships with tier 1 and cross-portfolio suppliers. The position supports strategic planning and decision-making at the officer level in collaboration with senior management. Key Responsibilities Conducts and documents market research and supplier risk analysis to verify the financial health of existing and potential suppliersCreates and maintains category plansDevelops and reviews performance data with suppliers; works with suppliers to drive ongoing value discoveryDevelops and sustains mutually beneficial strategic relationships with tier 1 and cross-portfolio suppliersLeads cross-functional team through strategic sourcing process and development/execution of negotiation strategies for software, hardware, and telecom categoriesLeads the development of category strategies of high complexityMaintains awareness of industry and market trends through ongoing researchSets market trends on particular commodities by working with the industry on best practicesServes as subject matter expert for particular commodities or services in the industryWorks with senior management to support strategic planning and decision-making at the officer levelDevelops and manages one or more sourcing spend categories and manages all Tier 1 contracts associated with the category(ies)Develops strategic category plans to optimize cost savings, service excellence, diversity spend, and total cost of ownership for the categoriesEffectively influences Lines of Business (LOBs), including senior leadership, to achieve understanding, acceptance, and commitment of sourcing strategiesWorks with Line of Business (LOB) to develop, source, and negotiate major contractsPlays a key role in Supplier Relationship Management / Scorecard process Required Skills Ability to analyze and combine information from different sources and use logic to reach appropriate conclusions as needed to perform at the job levelAbility to apply contract processes and procedures and relevant contracts and licensing — for example ESC, IBEW, tort, contract law — as needed to perform at the job levelAbility to work independently with limited oversightKnowledge of Microsoft Office Products — for example Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Access — as needed to perform at the job levelCompetency in relating openly and comfortably with diverse groups of peopleCompetency in building partnerships and working collaboratively with others to meet shared objectivesCompetency in building strong-identity teams that apply their diverse skills and perspectives to achieve common goalsKnowledge of the technical/functional aspects of the trade, occupation, or role as needed to perform at the job levelKnowledge of database and information systems — for example SCADA, EMS, OMT, OIS, SAP, ERP, COSO, Teradata, COBIT, Question Mark — as needed to perform at the job levelSoftware, hardware, and/or telecom sourcing experienceAriba experienceStrong negotiation skills with demonstrated cost savingsSourcing life cycle management experience Preferred Skills Experience in procurement, or related fieldUtility industry experience Education Requirements Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience (required)Master's degree in Business Administration or job-related discipline or equivalent experience (desired)ISM — Institute for Supply Management CPSM (Certified Professional in Supply Management) certification (desired)LSS — Lean Six Sigma Certification (desired) Required Experience 10 years of experience in supply chain, or related field (minimum) Nice-to-Have Experience Experience in procurement, or related fieldUtility industry experience10 years of job-related experience Benefits Medical, Vision, and Dental Insurance Plans401k Retirement Fund Important Notes Local candidates only — submissions limited to candidates in the Bay Area / Oakland work locationSupplier/staffing firm must provide a laptop and any additional equipment needed for the assignmentPersonal phone required; no reimbursement provided — alternatively, MS Teams may be used for calls and meetingsWith manager prior approval, expenses can be reimbursed if travel is needed for negotiations or team meetingsA pre-determined amount for cell and internet can be expensed monthly About GTT GTT is a minority-owned staffing firm and a subsidiary of Chenega Corporation, a Native American-owned company in Alaska. We highly value diverse and inclusive workplaces and support Fortune 500 organizations across banking, financial services, technology, life sciences, biotech, utilities, and retail sectors throughout the U.S. and Canada. Job Number: 26-12852