Senior Category Manager

Company Overview

Xcel Energy (NASDAQ: XEL) is a Fortune 500 energy provider serving millions of electricity and natural gas customers across eight states. The company focuses on delivering reliable, resilient, and sustainable energy while offering opportunities for career growth and supporting the clean‑energy transition.

Position Summary

Develop and execute sourcing category, supplier, and risk management strategies that align with business stakeholder priorities for key categories. Lead cross‑functional teams from the business and Supply Chain to drive successful project and category outcomes, plan and lead competitive sourcing events, negotiate commercial terms, manage supplier performance, and execute contracts for third‑party contractor services.

Essential Responsibilities

• Develop and implement enterprise‑wide category strategies to optimize cost and improve operations in line with sourcing best practices.
• Collaborate with business stakeholders to align business demands, category/contract strategy, and execution.
• Perform spend and cost analysis (e.g., total cost of ownership and should‑cost models) and develop category strategies to achieve maximum value capture.
• Complete supplier research and risk profiles while monitoring industry information, external factors, and trends to ensure category strategies are aligned with current best practices.
• In conjunction with logistics personnel, implement optimal inventory strategies.
• Lead multiple strategic supplier performance, relationship, and development management efforts focused on improving total cost of ownership, quality, delivery, and continuous improvement.
• Develop plans with suppliers that support business goals and strategies, driving continuous improvement and collaboration to strengthen partnerships.
• Develop performance‑based supplier scorecards; monitor, document, and evaluate supplier performance; lead the resolution of disputes with suppliers.
• Lead negotiations of commercial terms to establish contracts that support category strategies while meeting business requirements, including limits of liability and general terms & conditions.
• Review, analyze, verify, and negotiate contract changes or additional work orders.
• Monitor compliance across buying channels, suppliers, and contract purchasing execution.
• Manage contractor claims to resolution and minimize overall impact to cost and schedule.
• Ensure suppliers comply with contract terms and meet all commitments; develop and communicate contract summary and implementation plans.
• Develop risk management strategies and, in conjunction with Legal and Security teams, apply contract‑law principles to administer category contract agreements; collaborate with business area management to define risk elements.
• Lead cross‑functional teams from the business and Supply Chain to drive successful project and category outcomes; create and manage project plans to implement category strategies.
• Interact with business leadership to integrate sourcing and business project plans; manage Supply Chain, business, and supplier continuous‑improvement efforts.
• Lead change‑management efforts.

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, business, or a related technical/analytical field (or equivalent combination of education and experience).
• Five years of supply chain experience with a focus in sourcing.
• Three years of contract formation knowledge and experience.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and significant experience with purchasing and sourcing systems.
• Demonstrated customer service skills.
• Strong interpersonal and relationship skills.
• Ability to attend meetings in various locations, up to 20 % travel; valid driver’s license required.

Preferred Requirements

• MBA.
• Certified Professional in Supply Chain Management (CPSM) or other supply‑chain certification.
• Negotiation and project‑management skills.
• Previous experience managing categories with annual spend exceeding $100 million.

Pay

The anticipated starting base pay for this position is $97,600.00 to $138,600.00 per year.

Benefits

• Annual Incentive Program
• Medical/Pharmacy Plan
• Dental and Vision coverage
• Life Insurance
• Dependent Care Reimbursement Account
• Health Care Reimbursement Account
• Health Savings Account (HSA) (if enrolled in eligible health plan)
• Limited‑Purpose FSA (if enrolled in eligible health plan and HSA)
• Transportation Reimbursement Account
• Short‑term disability (STD) and Long‑term disability (LTD)
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Fitness Center Reimbursement (if enrolled in eligible health plan)
• Tuition reimbursement
• Transit programs
• Employee recognition program
• Pension and 401(k) plan
• Paid time off (PTO) and holidays
• Volunteer Paid Time Off (VPTO)
• Parental leave

Schedule

Xcel Energy supports a hybrid work model. Many roles are expected to work onsite three days per week (Tuesday – Thursday); work‑location expectations vary based on role, team, and business needs.