Global Technology Category Manager

Category Manager, Business Services and Supplier Diversity

Our goal in Indirect Procurement is to be the best at what we do. Delivering innovative, end-to-end solutions that reflect the knowledge and expertise of a world-class procurement organization. At Itron, we focus on delivering on our commitments and being accountable for our results, while providing an excellent work environment with work/life balance. We are looking for a proven leader to join our team who has the skills, abilities, and attitude to help us be a great sourcing organization. The right candidate must enjoy working in a fast-paced competitive and changing environment, while effectively collaborating and communicating in alignment with the culture at Itron.

This individual will oversee all source-to-contract activities related to Business Services. The successful candidate will lead the creation and execution of category and sourcing strategies. The individual in this role is responsible for the development of strategic relationships with internal business stakeholders to support adoption of procurement processes and policies across the entire enterprise, helps build project pipeline, and manages category performance. As part of this role, this individual will be responsible for driving win-win supplier relationships and helping to drive compliance across the categories. A proven track record of strong leadership building, business acumen, and strategic thinking in conjunction with a history of driving results are essential. The ability to build influential stakeholder relationships at a senior level and excellent negotiating skills are an absolute must.

Supplier Diversity

Job Duties & Responsibilities:

• Manages the development, administration, communication and reporting of Itron’s diversity, equity and inclusion program, business activities, policies, and procedures.
• Provides in-depth analysis, quality reviews and control development to support strategic objectives and reporting.
• Conducts DEI research and helps develop DEI supplier training.
• Analyzes DEI data to develop a new program and maintain future program enhancements.
• Helps ensure that diversity, equity, and inclusion is embedded within and across categories within Indirect Procurement.
• Collaborates with business leaders and teams to identify best practices for diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• Develops initiatives to promote organization-wide awareness of diversity and inclusion related to supplier and customers partnership strategies.
• Responsible for the logistics and notes of the DEI Council meetings.
• Develop and maintain a diverse supplier dashboard and provide training to users.

Category Management

• Provide category and market expertise to create a strategic portfolio of initiatives to achieve savings targets.
• Develop an effective framework to govern the strategy, project pipeline and measure performance for the entire enterprise and across divisions.
• Develop strong supplier performance/relationships and maintain those relationships through quarterly business review processes as appropriate.
• Perform spend analysis regularly to identify and select savings opportunities to pursue sourcing activity.
• Utilize a 7-step Strategic Sourcing process to identify, select, negotiate, and implement relationships with third party suppliers.
• Evaluate current processes, make recommendations, and implement improvements to close gaps.
• Remain up to date with industry best practices through active participation in training and/or industry events.
• Negotiate contracts with suppliers. Write strong contract language which protects Itron from risk, ensures clear supplier performance expectations, and safeguards value created. Collaborate closely with Legal team for all agreements.
• Provide guidance to introduce new processes to become more efficient.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with stakeholders in HR, Finance, Legal, Sales, Marketing etc., to validate and refine identified opportunities.
• Utilize a combination of procurement techniques based on the strategy for a given area of the business, including RFI/RFQ/RFP and direct negotiation.
• Provide external marketplace knowledge of the latest category dynamics, trends, benchmarks, and best practices.
• Lead the definition of category strategies and manage stakeholders through the execution of the project life cycle to address roadblocks or challenges.

Experience

• Excellent oral and written communication skills for interaction with all levels of the organization and the delivery of presentations.
• Knowledge of target markets and ability to translate that knowledge into strategic plans and actions.
• Demonstrate results in cost management and cost reduction activities.
• A strategic thinker who understands the big picture and can develop programs and processes that capture the true potential and opportunities that may exist. An “Out of the Box Thinker”.
• Prior consulting experience
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to plan strategically over a 5-year period.
• Knowledge of Managed Service / outcome-based agreements.
• Contract Management: Must have the ability to understand legal risk mitigation development.
• Advanced Excel, PowerPoint, Process Management and Negotiations Skills.
• Strong organizational skills and capability of managing multiple projects and working under pressure.
• Bachelor's degree in a related discipline (Business Management, Supply Chain, Human Resources, Finance, or similar) and 8+ years of relevant experience in Strategic Sourcing.
• Ability to work independently, within a team across all levels and diverse cultures, and the ability to lead team projects.

Travel: Required at times

Itron is committed to building an inclusive and diverse workforce and providing an authentic workplace experience for all employees. If you are excited about this role but your past experiences don't perfectly align with every requirement, we encourage you to apply anyway. In the end, you may be just who we are looking for!

The successful candidate's starting salary will be determined based on permissible, non-discriminatory factors such as skills and experience.

Itron is proud to be an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action Employer. If you require an accommodation to apply, please contact a recruiting representative at 1-800-635-5461 or email [email protected].

Itron enables utilities and cities to safely, securely and reliably deliver critical infrastructure solutions. We provide smart networks, software, services, meters, and sensors to better manage electricity, gas, water and city services. We are dedicated to creating a more resourceful world.