Category Lead (Hybrid)

03/12/2025

Locations: Westwood, Massachusetts; Berlin, Connecticut; Manchester, New Hampshire

Our Team:

We are excited to hire a Category Lead leader to join our amazing Procurement Team.  In this important role, the Category Lead will self-perform and directly manage a team to deliver exception procurement services to our Electrical Equipment and Materials group.

This will be a key role to support Company capital initiatives, delivering critical equipment supporting our capital plan.

The role can be based in Westwood, MA (preferred), Alternative locations in Berlin CT and Manchester, NH.

Essential Functions: 

• Drive total cost of ownership improvements including supplier performance and develop the supply base, to deliver results for stakeholders and in line with the organization’s Business Plan.

• Develops tools and techniques to profile; benchmark; research and assess the market; risks; competition; trends and new opportunities to ensure continuity of supply and maximize value / competitive advantage.

• Trusted advisor to client groups, providing expertise and advice on new business approaches to category strategy, sourcing and supplier/ contract management. Proactively ensures Business Sponsors are regularly kept informed and engaged in the category plan and ongoing category management.

• Leads effective cross-organizational teams to develop and implement strategies to meet objectives and targets. Acts as a role model, and technical expert, independently provides coaching and mentoring.

• Leads, supervises and develops a team of Procurement Professionals to deliver effective procurement strategies and meeting company objectives.

• Develops the strategy and manages the execution of supplier and stakeholder relationships for their assigned category. Includes internal stakeholders as appropriate.

• Develops and manages the implementation of supplier relationship management plans. Leads negotiations with suppliers. Coordinates with the business to ensure the management of supplier relationships. Works with others to resolve and escalate supplier issues.

• Produces and analyzes SRM scorecards. Monitors contract and supplier performance including KPIs, reviews with business groups and uses to improve future performance and strategy development. Ensures contracts are being managed to meet category strategic objectives and the benefits framework.

• Executes a multi-year category strategy and annual procurement plan that aligns with business forecast / objectives. In consultation with the Manager, ensures the development of compelling business cases to support decision-making and obtain approval.

• Utilizes their knowledge of business needs and understanding of the market structure to make recommendations on how changes in business processes can improve ways to go to market; structure the sourcing approach and contract.

• Develops and manages project plans to ensure strategies are executed on schedule and achieve projected financial / operational benefits.  Identifies risks and makes recommendations for mitigation.

• Provide support for and adhere to all procurement policies and procedures and ensure compliance.  Support all audit requests to maintain compliance to corporate policies.

• Writes and presents business plans, briefs, category management plans and other documents to management and key internal and external stakeholders.

• Negotiates and executes large to very large dollar / complex contracts.

Technical Knowledge/Skill/Education:

• Expertise in the category area - demonstrated by a proven ability to develop and articulate category strategies

• Full understanding of purchasing and inventory systems

• Strong understanding of contract language terms and conditions

• Solid understanding of business and financial principles

• Advanced problem solving, decision making, influencing and negotiating skills

• Excellent communication, presentation, interpersonal skills

• Demonstrated ability to manage complex and or critical internal and external relationships requiring diplomacy, political savvy

• Advanced program, project management skills and techniques

• Expert analytical & MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) skills

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree

Experience:           

• 5-10+ years related experience and supervisory experience preferred

Licenses & Certifications:    

• Certified Purchasing Manager (C.P.M.), Six Sigma, Lean, Process or Project Mgmt. certifications

Working Conditions:

• Must be available to work emergency restoration assignment as required.

• Must be available to travel between MA/CT/NH as necessary.

• Our hybrid working model is the first 90 days are full-time in office then hybrid.

Compensation and Benefits:

Eversource offers a competitive total rewards program.  The annual salary range for this position is $128,320.00 to $142,580.00 plus incentive. Salary is commensurate with your experience. Check out the career site for an overview of our benefits.

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Worker Type:

Regular

Number of Openings:

1

EEO Statement

Eversource Energy is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer.  All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, religion, disability status, or protected veteran status.

VEVRRA Federal Contractor

Emergency Response:

Responding to emergency situations to meet customers’ needs is part of every employee’s role. If employed, you will be given an Emergency Restoration assignment.  This means you may be called to assist during an emergency outside of your normal responsibilities, work hours and location.