Job Details

Principal Category Lead

Experience, qualification, and soft skills, have you got everything required to succeed in this opportunity Find out below.

Location: Oakland or San Ramon, CA (Hybrid)

Pay Range: $155,000 - $160,000

About the Role

As a Principal Category Lead, you will play a critical role in optimizing the sourcing and procurement strategy for one of the nation's largest gas and electric utilities, ensuring cost efficiency, supplier performance, and risk mitigation. You will lead strategic category planning, supplier negotiations, and contract management to drive value, resilience, and sustainability across the supply chain.

Partnering with and influencing key internal stakeholders and leveraging market intelligence, you will develop and execute category strategies that align with business objectives, regulatory requirements, and industry best practices. This high-impact role requires a balance of analytical expertise, relationship management, and strategic vision to enhance operational excellence

What You'll Do

Develops and implements category plans and sourcing strategies for high 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 and cross-portfolio 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 high 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.

Works with senior management to support strategic planning and decision-making at the officer level. xywuqvp

What We're Looking For

10 years of work experience in procurement, sourcing, or supply chain management, preferably in the utility, energy, or infrastructure sectors

Experience sourcing in IT, Consulting / Professional Services, Construction / Related Services, or MaterialsProven ability to lead high-value negotiations, develop complex 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

Expertise in developing strategic supplier partnerships, managing performance scorecards, and fostering supplier-driven innovation

Strong ability to engage and influence senior stakeholders, including executives, 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 high complexityExcellent written and verbal skills

Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office

Master's Degree in Business Administration or job-related discipline or equivalent experience

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration, Supply Chain Management or job-related discipline or equivalent experience

8 years of experience in sourcing