SCM Category Manager - Power Delivery Materials

SCM Category Manager - Power Delivery Materials

This position will be located in Birmingham, AL, or Atlanta, GA.

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.

The role ensures Supply Chain Management is perceived as a positive, significant, value-adding partner to the business by providing solutions to business and operational supply chain challenges, improving processes to reduce total cost of ownership, maintaining a strategic approach to procurement and supply management, and supporting reliable delivery of critical Power Delivery materials and services.

This position will support Power Delivery materials categories, which may include pole line hardware, poles and structures, protection & sectionalizing, and other assigned Power Delivery categories.

POSITION QUALIFICATIONS

Education: 

• Bachelor’s Degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, Finance, Law, or other relevant technical disciplines preferred 

• Education or experience in contracts or procurement

• 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 preferred

• Preferred: Demonstrated leadership with strategic partnerships

• Previous category management experience a plus

• Contract Agent or Buyer experience working on Power Delivery (Distribution, Transmission, Substation) 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 skills

• Very strong communication skills

• Strong skill in use of Microsoft Office 

• Comprehensive knowledge of SCM 

• Financial acumen and demonstrated aptitude in analytics

KEY 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, including but not limited to pole line hardware, protection and sectionalizing equipment, poles and structures, and other assigned categories.

• Typically manages between $100M–$300M in annual spend, depending on portfolio assignment could be higher.

• Leads negotiations and oversee all stages of strategic procurement, including RFI/RFP development, commercial evaluation, supplier selection, award recommendation, and contract implementation.

• Help facilitate supplier performance measurement and collaborate 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.

• Leads 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.

• Create and implement development plans for suppliers who do not meet performance standards and resolve conflicts between suppliers and the company.

• Contribute 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.

•  

• BEHAVIORAL ATTRIBUTES

• Demonstrate Southern Company Values

• Safety focus and a strong personal safety record.

• Dedication to an accident-free work environment with strict adherence to all safety and compliance requirements.

• Must lead by example and ensure equity and fairness in interactions with others.

• Must conduct self in a manner that builds trust and confidence with coworkers, contractors, supervisors, and management.

• 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.

BENEFITS

• Competitive Pay

• Excellent benefits package, which may include medical and dental coverage

• Defined Pension / Cash Balance Benefit Plan

• 401(k) plan with a company match

• Bonus opportunities

• Tuition reimbursement

•  

ADDITIONAL DETAILS 

No relocation assistance will be offered for this position, so if you do not already reside within a reasonable commute distance, you will be responsible for relocating at your own expense.

This position currently works a hybrid schedule with four (4) days in-office and one (1) day remote. This is subject to change at any given time at Company’s discretion.