Manager Supply Chain Strategic Category Management - Supply Chain Corporate Services - Akron FirstEnergy Headquarters

FirstEnergy at a Glance We are a forward-thinking electric utility powered by a diverse team of employees committed to making customers’ lives brighter, the environment better and our communities stronger. FirstEnergy (NYSE: FE) is dedicated to safety, reliability, and operational excellence. Headquartered in Akron, Ohio, FirstEnergy includes one of the nation's largest investor-owned electric systems, more than 24,500 miles of transmission lines that connect the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic regions, and a regulated generating fleet with a total capacity of 3,780 megawatts. About the Opportunity This is an open position with FirstEnergy Service Co., a subsidiary of FirstEnergy Corp. [SC00 Position Summary The Manager, Strategic Category Management – Professional Services leads the development and execution of enterprise category strategies across information technology and facilities-related spend. This role partners with business, technology, finance, legal, cybersecurity, real estate, and operations leaders to translate business requirements into sourcing strategies that improve value, reduce risk, strengthen supplier performance, and support long-term organizational objectives. The manager also leads category team members and cross-functional initiatives, applying disciplined market intelligence, spend analytics, negotiation, contracting, and supplier relationship management practices. Key Responsibilities Develop and execute multi-year category strategies for IT hardware, software, cloud and hosting, telecommunications, managed services, professional services, cybersecurity, facilities services, real estate support, maintenance, construction, and related capital projects. Lead strategic sourcing events from opportunity assessment through supplier selection, negotiation, contracting, implementation, and benefits realization. Analyze spend, demand, market dynamics, supplier capabilities, cost drivers, and total cost of ownership to identify savings, value creation, standardization, and risk-reduction opportunities. Partner with IT, Facilities, Finance, Legal, Risk, Cybersecurity, Operations, and other stakeholders to define requirements, align priorities, and establish sourcing roadmaps. Lead complex commercial negotiations involving pricing, service levels, licensing, consumption models, warranties, construction terms, data protection, business continuity, and performance commitments. Develop and manage facilities maintenance category strategies covering HVAC, electrical, plumbing, roofing, fire protection, elevators, building controls, janitorial, landscaping, waste management, and other essential building systems and services. Partner with facilities, real estate, engineering, security, environmental, health and safety, and business continuity teams to prioritize repairs, space improvements, renovations, and capital investments. Establish and manage a supplier relationship management program, including segmentation, governance, scorecards, quarterly business reviews, corrective actions, innovation, and continuous improvement. Ensure sourcing and contracting activities comply with procurement policies, delegated authority, competitive bidding requirements, records retention, and applicable regulatory standards. Track and communicate category performance, including savings, cost avoidance, working capital, contract coverage, supplier diversity, service quality, risk, and stakeholder satisfaction. Manage contract lifecycle activities in partnership with contract owners, including renewals, amendments, obligations, consumption, expiration risk, and supplier performance. Lead, coach, and develop category specialist; set priorities, allocate work, establish performance expectations, and build strategic sourcing capabilities. Prepare concise recommendations and executive-level presentations that clearly communicate options, tradeoffs, financial impact, risk, and required decisions. Required Qualifications Bachelor’…

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