SCM Category Manager

Position Summary

This position works within the Supply Chain Management organization to support the Power Delivery Business Unit and maximize the value delivered through a category management framework. The role collaborates with senior internal stakeholders, Power Delivery clients, supply chain teams, and suppliers to use continuous improvement techniques to improve business unit and supply chain outcomes.

Responsibilities

• Develops and executes category plans that identify opportunities for operational efficiencies, drive cost savings, manage risk, improve safety, drive innovation, and ensure continuous development of assigned Power Delivery categories.
• Supervises, plans, manages, and assumes complete responsibility for activities and processes associated with assigned categories, including category profiles, market research, supplier identification, supply base risk analysis, pricing strategy, index pricing, volume discounts, and supplier capacity planning.
• Develops category strategies for Power Delivery materials and services, including but not limited to transformers, voltage regulators, pole line hardware, protection and sectionalizing equipment, poles and structures, wire and cable, underground and network material, line construction and maintenance, substation construction and maintenance, vegetation management, utility locates, and other assigned categories.
• Leads negotiations and oversees all stages of strategic procurement, including RFI/RFP development, commercial evaluation, supplier selection, award recommendation, and contract implementation.
• Helps facilitate supplier performance measurement and collaborates with key suppliers to identify potential areas for improvement, including quality, delivery, safety, responsiveness, storm readiness, and supply continuity.
• Manages and identifies supplier alliance opportunities and supports internal utility Business Unit supplier management efforts.
• Performs thorough analysis to support category plan development, including internal customer discovery, demand planning, historical spend analysis, future spend forecasting, cost model development, total cost of ownership calculations, supplier risk review, and supplier value creation.
• Works with Power Delivery clients and SCM partners to develop and manage tools necessary to track supplier performance, such as scorecards, dashboards, business reviews, and corrective action plans.
• Communicates supplier performance metrics, supply risks, category value, and roadmap progress to relevant stakeholders on a regular basis.
• Interfaces with all levels of Supply Chain Management and Power Delivery Business Unit clients, including senior management.
• Led and participates in cross-functional teams, including representatives from Power Delivery, Engineering, Operations, Inventory / Material Management, Supplier Inclusion, Risk Management, Legal, Finance, and other stakeholders as required.
• Creates and implements development plans for suppliers who do not meet performance standards and resolves conflict between suppliers and the company.
• Contributes as a member of the One SCM Category Management team by leveraging strengths to support fellow team members, sharing lessons learned, and engaging others to address knowledge or experience gaps.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in supply chain management, Business, Technology, Finance, or other relevant technical discipline preferred.
• Education or experience in contracts: Certified Purchasing Manager (CPM) or Certified Professional in Supply Management (CPSM) is a plus.
• Professional Contract Manager (CPCM) or Certified Commercial Contract Manager (CCCM) is a plus.
• Experience: Competitive bidding/sourcing experience, Project management experience is a plus.
• Preferred: Demonstrated leadership with strategic partnerships, Previous category management experience a plus, Experience working on technology categories (IT professional services, software, hardware) is a plus.
• Knowledge & Skills: Knowledge of supply markets and purchasing principles, Professional written and verbal communication skills, Knowledge of contract terminology, Facilitation skills, Proven negotiation skills, Excellent project management, Strong skill in use of Microsoft Office, Comprehensive knowledge of SCM, Financial acumen and demonstrated aptitude in analytics.

Behavioral Attributes

• Demonstrate Southern Company Values – Safety First, Unquestionable Trust, Superior Performance, and Total Commitment.
• Ability to work within a team setting, including the ability to build and motivate a team toward a shared goal.
• Demonstrated initiative and creativity coupled with a strong customer service focus.