VARITE INC · 4 months ago
Category Leader, Expert
Oakland, CA
Full-time
Hybrid
Senior Level
$150K/yr - $165K/yr
6+ years expVARITE is looking for a qualified Category Leader, Expert for one of its clients in Oakland, CA. In this role, you will optimize the sourcing and procurement strategy for a major utility company, ensuring cost efficiency and supplier performance.
Information Technology & Services
Responsibilities
Acts as subject matter expert for particular categories or services
Develops and implements category plans and sourcing strategies for medium complexity categories that optimize cost, mitigate risk, and ensure supply continuity
Leads competitive bidding processes including RFPs, RFIs, and negotiations to secure best-value agreements
Negotiates, drafts, and manages contracts to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements, corporate policies, and industry standards
Develops and sustains mutually beneficial strategic relationships with category suppliers, conducting regular performance reviews, fostering collaboration on innovation and continuous improvement, and ensuring alignment with the company's safety, reliability, and sustainability goals
Partners with and influences cross-functional stakeholders and teams in developing sourcing and negotiation strategies for medium complexity spend categories
Maintains awareness of industry and market trends, supplier landscapes, and regulatory changes to drive informed decision-making and strategic sourcing initiatives
Conducts and documents market research and supplier risk analysis to verify the financial health of existing and potential suppliers
Qualification
Required
Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration, Supply Chain Management or job-related discipline or equivalent experience
6 years of experience in sourcing
Preferred
8 years of work experience in procurement, sourcing, or supply chain management, preferably in the utility, energy, or infrastructure sectors
Experience sourcing in Consulting / Professional Services, Construction / Related Services, or Materials
Proven ability to lead high-value negotiations, develop contract structures, and drive favorable outcomes
Strong analytical skills with experience leveraging spend analytics, cost modeling, and digital procurement tools to optimize category strategies
Competency in building partnerships and working collaboratively with others to meet shared objectives
Competency in developing strategic supplier partnerships, managing performance scorecards, and fostering supplier-driven innovation
Competency in engaging and influencing senior stakeholders, operations leaders, and legal teams, to align procurement strategies with business priorities
Competency in building and leading strong-identity teams that apply their diverse skills and perspectives to achieve common goals
Competency in applying project management theories, concepts, methods, best practices, and techniques as needed to perform at the job level
Knowledge of database and information systems – e.g., ARIBA, SAP, etc. – as needed to perform at the job level
Competency in leading cross-functional teams and to drive projects of medium complexity
Strong written and verbal skills
Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office
Master's Degree in Business Administration or job-related discipline or equivalent experience
LSS-Lean Six Sigma Certification
PMP-Project Management Professional certification
ISM-Institute for Supply Management CPSM-Certified Professional in Supply Management certification, or similar certification(s)
Benefits
Relocation: Provided - Yes
Company
VARITE INC
VARITE has a definite spirit.
1001-5000 employees
Funding
Current Stage
Late StageLeadership Team
Adarsh Katyal
President & CEO
Sue Patel Arora
Vice President Of Strategic Partnerships
Company data provided by crunchbase