Category Manager I

Job Title: Category Manager I Location: Charlotte, NC, North Carolina Home Office Job Summary and Description: Summary The Category Lead I, Meetings, Events & Corporate Travel, manages EPRI’s corporate travel and meetings and events categories. This role partners with internal stakeholders and external suppliers to deliver cost-effective, compliant, safe, and high-quality travel and event solutions.

The position supports category strategy, supplier selection, contract negotiations, supplier performance, demand management, traveler and meeting-planner experience, and continuous improvement. The successful candidate may bring experience from sourcing and procurement, corporate travel management, meetings and events management, hospitality, travel operations, or supplier account management.

Formal sourcing experience is preferred but is not required when the candidate demonstrates strong commercial judgment, supplier-management capabilities, analytical skills, and the ability to learn EPRI’s sourcing and contracting processes. Under the direct supervision of the Sourcing and Procurement Manager, manages the Meetings and Events and Corporate Travel categories and negotiates agreements with domestic and international suppliers, including hotels, venues, travel management companies, airlines, ground transportation providers, event-service providers, and travel-technology suppliers.

The Category Lead I negotiates pricing, discounts, rebates, concessions, service levels, implementation support, reporting, credits, and appropriate allocation of commercial and operational risk.

Key Responsibilities

Under guidance, negotiates sourcing agreements and acquisition terms with an understanding of contract risk; drafts agreement terms that ensure business needs and compliance are met while accurately reflecting the arrangement between the parties Negotiates favorable economic value with a “total cost” perspective, and tracks and reports cost savings and avoidance; evaluates financial proposals, brings to manager’s attention sources with poor financial performance Supports in the development of a risk analysis matrix for moderate and high-risk arrangements and presents cases for, and documents business decisions Vendor Management: Identifies strategic vendors, and assists in the development of a continuity-of-business plan with alternate sources of supply Identifies, and aids in the selection of, sources of supply Monitors vendor performance; engages with strategic vendors by developing collaborative relationships and under guidance works to align EPRI-vendor objectives; conducts routine review of the account/relationship With guidance, works to (1) identify opportunities for consolidation of supply base, and (2) identify RFX opportunities; with manager or designee support, (a) conducts RFX events and ensures objective, documented contract awards, and (b) formulates business cases with objective information/data Resolves vendor non-compliance, brings to manager’s attention cases requiring dispute resolution, and performs agreement cancellations and terminations unrelated to performance issues Market Analysis: Keeps updated on trends in industries related to assigned category, remains informed about developments in other parts of the organization that have impact on acquisitions/procurement Surveys market conditions; identifies, makes recommendations and aids in the selection of, best sources of supply Spend Category Strategy Development: With guidance, develops category acquisition strategies, monitors, and reports progress Helps manage organizational change that results from implementation of category-based acquisition strategies Internal Dynamics, Collaboration and Communication: Develops and maintains collaborative relationships with internal clients and stakeholders, is aware of category budgets, client needs and departmental strategies, understands overall company objectives (raises conflicting objectives to the attention of manager); reviews acquisition scopes for value and compliance Develops ideas and strategies to improve operational efficiency to add value for stakeholders and the Sourcing Team Participates in special projects and assumes other duties which may be assigned to support the department as designated by the Manager of Sourcing and Procurement and/or the Director of the Sourcing Team Education and Experience

• Two or more years of relevant experience in corporate travel management, meetings and events management, hotel or hospitality management, travel management company operations or account management, strategic sourcing or procurement, or supplier/category management
• Undergraduate degree or an equivalent combination of education and relevant professional experience.
• Some understanding of, and experience negotiating commercial acquisition terms and conditions – with the ability to use/draft basic agreement prose
• Basic understanding of the generic procure-to-pay process
• Outstanding listening, and oral and written communication skills
• Ability to apply sound commercial judgment and work within applicable internal controls, fraud-prevention requirements, travel policies, supplier-risk processes, and acquisition procedures
• Knowledge of a corporate travel program and meetings and evens program and/or experience managing a corporate travel program, meetings and events program, hospitality operation, or related supplier portfolio is preferred
• Experience with SAP or comparable enterprise systems is preferred; familiarity with Concur, Cvent, online booking tools, travel management company platforms, global distribution systems, and/or meetings-management technology is a plus
• Ability to manage projects, prioritize and delegate work
• Utilize emerging artificial intelligence (AI) tools and technologies to enhance productivity, streamline workflows, improve decision-making, and support business objectives. Skills and Attributes Self-starter capable of working independently, managing deadlines and competing workloads, making informed decisions and seeking advice/decisions from others when needed Diplomatic, collaborative relationship builder Strong organizational, problem solving and interpersonal skills Experience working with data (analysis, clean-up, presentation) Utilize emerging artificial intelligence (AI) tools and technologies to enhance productivity, streamline workflows, improve decision-making, and support business objectives. The salary range for this position is $60,000 USD to $70,000 USD annually. This salary range is an estimate, and the actual salary may vary based on various factors, including without limitation applicant's education, experience, skills, and abilities, as well as internal equity and alignment with market data. The salary may also be adjusted based on applicant's geographic location. This role is eligible to participate in EPRI’s annual incentive program. The amount of incentive varies and is subject to the terms and conditions of the plan. This role is eligible to participate in EPRI’s standard employee benefit programs, which currently include the following: medical, dental, vision, 401k, STD/LTD and paid family leave, life and accident insurance, paid time off (flexible vacation, sick leave, and holiday pay). EPRI participates in E-Verify, an online system operated jointly by the Department of Homeland Security and the Social Security Administration (SSA). EPRI uses the system to check the work status of new hires by comparing information from the employee's I-9 form against SSA and Department of Homeland Security databases. EPRI is an equal opportunity employer. EEO/AA/M/F/VETS/Disabled Together . . . Shaping the Future of Energy. www.epri.com