Senior Category Manager

Portland General Electric • Portland, OR

2d • Hybrid

About The Position

At PGE, our work involves dreaming about, planning for, and realizing a smarter, cleaner, more enduring Oregon neighborhood. Its core to our DNA and we haven’t stopped since we started in 1888. We energize lives, strengthen communities and drive advancements in energy that promote social, economic and environmental progress. We’re always on the lookout for people passionate about leading and being a part of teams that are advancing innovative clean energy solutions that are also affordable and accessible to all. Job Overview The Senior Category Manager (P4) plays a key strategic role in shaping and executing category strategies for critical, high-impact areas of spend across the enterprise. Partnering with business leaders, this role develops sourcing strategies that advance company goals while balancing risk, regulatory, and operational priorities. You will shape long-term sourcing roadmaps, influence business and capital planning decisions, and lead the most complex negotiations—ensuring supply continuity, cost optimization, risk mitigation, and alignment with enterprise objectives. Categories may include, but are not limited to, generation construction, and engineering services. The Senior Category Manager leads end-to-end strategic sourcing initiatives—building or enhancing playbooks, managing competitive RFPs, structuring complex contracts, and negotiating high-value agreements for business-critical categories. This role requires deep expertise in procurement best practices, category management, supplier governance, and commercial negotiations. By leveraging spend data, market intelligence, and industry insights, the Senior Category Manager crafts data-driven strategies and influences executive decision-making. Regular interaction with senior leaders and executives calls for strong communication skills and the ability to deliver clear, compelling business recommendations that align stakeholders and drive results. The ideal candidate brings leadership presence, sound judgment, and strong business acumen. With a talent for leading cross-functional initiatives, the Senior Category Manager delivers enterprise value, strengthens supplier partnerships, and amplifies procurement’s strategic impact across the organization. Level/Grade: P4 - 8/EX

Requirements

• Education: Requires a bachelor’s degree in supply chain management, business, finance or other related field or equivalent experience.
• Experience: Typically eight or more years in supply chain, category management/strategic sourcing or related field.
• CPSM, CIPS, or similar procurement certifications.
• Advanced knowledge of inventory control practices and systems
• Advanced knowledge of contracting and procurement methods, standards, procedures and processes (preferably 8+ years)
• Advanced knowledge of business practices and market conditions applicable to program and technical requirements sufficient to evaluate bids, contractor responsibility and contractor performance
• Advanced skills in formulating sourcing strategies that accomplish performance and savings goals, anticipate potential threats or opportunities and are consistent with company goals and policies
• Advanced skills in negotiating contracts for goods and services
• Advanced computer skills using Microsoft applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and enterprise resource-planning systems and record systems (e.g., PeopleSoft, SharePoint, eRecords)
• Advanced analytical skills
• Advanced decision-making skills
• Advanced influence skills
• Advanced interpersonal skills
• Advanced negotiation skills
• Advanced organization and prioritization skills
• Advanced presentation and facilitation skills
• Advanced written and oral communication skills
• Cognitive Demands Ability to adhere to set response times, deadlines and time-sensitive tasks
• Cognitive Demands Ability to follow accuracy standards
• Cognitive Demands Ability to follow through on decision-making tasks
• Cognitive Demands Ability to interact effectively and collaboratively within a team environment
• Cognitive Demands Ability to communicate and problem solve when under stress
• Cognitive Demands Ability to respond and adapt to frequent change
• Cognitive Demands Ability to accept and demonstrate self-awareness when provided constructive feedback
• Cognitive Demands Ability to discern feedback and acknowledge ownership of areas of improvement
• Cognitive Demands Ability to avoid future mistakes by applying reasonable skills to new but similar work situations or tasks
• Cognitive Demands Ability to successfully collaborate with peers, managers and others within the organization
• Cognitive Demands Demonstrates sound memory
• Cognitive Demands Ability to process new information to be applied consistently to work tasks
• Schedule/Attendance Ability to work long hours
• Computer use (use computer regularly for entire work shift)

Nice To Haves

• 8 + years in procurement, sourcing, or contract management.

Responsibilities

• Sourcing Opportunities & Purchasing Strategy Identify and lead sourcing initiatives through analysis of historical spend data to uncover efficiency and savings opportunities. Establish baseline spend and savings targets to measure and communicate sourcing impact. Execute sourcing initiatives using a proven strategic sourcing framework to ensure consistency, transparency, and results. Develop, implement, and continuously improve strategic category plans for complex, high-value spend areas. Partner with cross-functional stakeholders and leverage industry expertise to drive process improvements, cost optimization, and a more sustainable, efficient source-to-pay process.
• Inventory Control & Procurement Management Oversee inventory procurement to ensure timely availability of materials and supplies that support operational needs. Anticipate stakeholder requirements and proactively plan purchasing activities to maintain optimal stock levels. Troubleshoot and resolve complex or unusual inventory and supply chain challenges to ensure business continuity. Implement and maintain effective tracking systems and distribution processes to strengthen visibility, accuracy, and control across all inventory activities.
• Purchasing Activities Drive the procurement process for complex and high-value spend categories in alignment with company procurement guidelines. Anticipate and confirm business needs, developing detailed requests for proposals, information, and qualifications from suppliers. Determine the most effective procurement approach to deliver value, efficiency, and alignment with business objectives. Negotiate pricing and terms to achieve best-value outcomes that support cost and performance goals. Ensure full compliance with legal requirements and regulatory deadlines. Keep key stakeholders informed and engaged throughout each strategic sourcing activity within the assigned category.
• Identification of Procurement Needs & Collaboration Build and maintain strong, collaborative relationships with stakeholders across the organization. Develop and apply deep subject matter expertise within assigned spend categories to guide strategic decision-making. Communicate and champion complex strategic sourcing initiatives, gaining support and alignment from key stakeholders. Identify procurement needs, create project timelines, and prepare clear, competitive bids and proposals. Ensure the timely delivery of goods and services to meet business and operational requirements.
• Solicitation Process Administration Solicitation Process Administration Manage the full contracting process with strategic providers of goods and services from start to finish. Develop clear requirements, conduct supplier outreach, and evaluate proposals to ensure strong competition and best-fit solutions. Lead supplier selection and negotiation processes to secure optimal terms and long-term value. Stay current on industry developments, market trends, and emerging opportunities to inform sourcing strategies.
• Contract Management Execute contracts with key suppliers, ensuring all required terms and conditions are accurately captured. Track and manage contract lifecycles, including renewals and termination dates, to maintain continuity and compliance. Oversee key supplier relationships, fostering collaboration and accountability. Monitor and measure supplier performance against contract commitments, service level agreements (SLAs), and key performance indicators (KPIs).

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level