Category Leader, Principal

Spectraforce Technologies
$12 billion of annual company spend to develop mutually beneficial total value solutions for goods and services. The department provides the following services to internal clients: procurement of goods and services, strategic sourcing and cost savings, ca
United States, California, Oakland
Apr 10, 2026
Job Title: Category Leader, Principal Location: Oakland, CA 94612 (Hybrid) Duration: Direct Hire/Permanent Business Unit: Engineering, Planning & Strategy Work Schedule: Standard work week - 8 hours per day, 5 days per week (California Overtime or Federal Overtime) This position is hybrid, working from your remote office and your assigned work location based on business need. Preferred work location is Oakland, CA, but other locations may be considered. Final work location will be determined between the hiring leader and successful candidate. Department Overview: The Procurement organization is the functional lead for the procurement of materials and services at client Company. The department collaborates with internal clients and suppliers managing more than $12 billion of annual company spend to develop mutually beneficial total value solutions for goods and services. The department provides the following services to internal clients: procurement of goods and services, strategic sourcing and cost savings, category management, supplier relationship management, supplier diversity planning, execution and outreach, compliance management, ongoing procurement field support and management of the source to pay cycle. Position Summary: 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 and support client's commitment to safe, reliable, and sustainable energy. Job Responsibilities Acts as subject matter expert for particular categories or services in the industry. 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. Minimum Qualifications Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration, Supply Chain Management or job-related discipline or equivalent experience 8 years of experience in sourcing Desired: 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 Materials Proven 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 complexity Excellent written and verbal skills Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office Master's Degree in Business Administration or job-related discipline or equivalent experience