Sr / Lead Category Mgr - Kansas City, Topeka, Wichita

• Leads cross-functional teams that use analysis of historical spend data, market research and cost modeling to identify and leverage high value opportunities that deliver innovative and sustainable value, operational efficiencies and risk mitigation to the business.
• Provide leadership to key stakeholders throughout the company and build relationships that facilitate the realization of the Supply Chain vision to deliver strategic and financial value.
• Build and develop collaborative relationships with key suppliers to ensure accountability of high-level service and quality, as well as joint innovation opportunities.
• Lead strategic sourcing events, employ supplier relationship and change management techniques as well as other best practices advocating the processes within Supply Chain and throughout the company.

Education and Experience Requirements :

Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Engineering or other business-related field is preferred. A combination of education and experience will be considered.

An advanced degree or an advanced Supply Chain or Project Mgmt. certification (e.g., CPM, CPSM, CPSC, PMP) is preferred.

A minimum of five (5) years of progressively increasing responsibility in Supply Chain Management, Finance, Engineering, or business-related operations is required.

Relevant experience in utilities, energy, manufacturing, or construction industry is preferred.

Working knowledge of category management, strategic sourcing and supplier relationship management principles and application within a center-led Supply Chain;

demonstrated experience implementing, executing and maintaining these initiatives is preferred.

• Strong financial analytical skills, oral and written communication, interpersonal and influence skills, and experience in enhancing value through negotiations.
• Moderate level of understanding law of contracts, strong understanding of contracting approaches.
• Proficiency using Microsoft Office suite, particularly Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint.
• Working knowledge of PeopleSoft Financials is a plus or other supply chain management / ERP software is preferred.

Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities :

• Strategic orientation, inquisitive, comfortable with ambiguity, and self-motivated to identify trends and improvement opportunities aligned with business objectives and strategic plans.
• Strong leadership and collaboration skills with ability to build effective relationships and influence peers and key stakeholders.
• Demonstrated ability to organize and lead multiple dynamic and cohesive teams concurrently in a matrix organization.
• Strong project management skills with ability to plan tasks, assign resources, manage progress, remove barriers, manage change, resolve conflict, build consensus, and motivate team members across multiple projects concurrently.
• Strong problem solving and analytical skills with ability to extract key themes, determine root causes, develop creative solutions, and craft concise messages.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills with the ability to tailor messages to the given audience, present information in a clear and concise manner, apply creative approaches to engage audiences, manage change, resolve conflict, and build consensus.
• Ability to prioritize, organize and multitask in a flexible, fast-paced and challenging environment.

Licenses, Certifications, and / or Testing :

Successful candidate must possess and maintain a valid driver’s license.

Working Conditions :

The working conditions for this position will mostly be in a standard office building location. This position is inside with temperature-controlled conditions.

It requires a large amount of sitting and computer work on a daily basis. There will be occasions where meetings are held in other facilities that include energy centers, service centers, training centers, and corporate offices located in Wichita, Topeka, and Kansas City.

Position may require work beyond normal working hours depending on workload, project deadlines or storm emergencies.

Evergy has a clear mission To empower a better future. Evergy chooses to live this mission by valuing People First. We know that to lead the responsible energy transition and provide affordable, reliable, and sustainable service to our customers and communities, we need a team with a variety of backgrounds, perspectives and skills.

So, our goal is to be a diverse workforce that is representative of the communities we serve. We are committed to celebrating diversity and building a team where everyone regardless of race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status has a voice and can bring their best every day.

We know that the more diverse and inclusive we are, the better we will be. Evergy is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and is an affirmative action employer.

Disclaimer : The above information has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification.

It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees assigned to this job.