Category Manager

Xcel Energy (NASDAQ: XEL) is a leading energy provider and Fortune 500 company, dedicated to serving millions of electricity and natural gas customers across eight states: Minnesota, Colorado, Wisconsin, Michigan, North Dakota, South Dakota, New Mexico and Texas. We make energy work better for our customers, helping them thrive every day. That means always raising the bar - delivering better service and providing more reliable, resilient, and sustainable energy.

Xcel Energy is a place where you’ll have opportunities to grow, expand your skills, and help lead the clean energy transition. We offer meaningful rewards, recognition, and support to help you build your career and make an impact - both on the job and beyond. Most importantly, it means you’ll be joining a company that knows employees are the driving force behind its success and is committed to helping you be your best.

Xcel Energy supports a hybrid work model to enable collaboration and flexibility. Many roles are expected to work onsite three days per week (Tuesday–Thursday); however, work location expectations vary based on role, team, and business needs.

Category Manager

Position Summary

Working with Category Managers (CMs), effectively develop and coordinate the execution of category sourcing strategies that align with business stakeholder priorities. Utilize clear understanding of the supply market, sourcing best practice approaches, and negotiation strategies to achieve category objectives, while providing direction and leveraging Supply Chain resources. Manage risk mitigation efforts and on-going supplier performance monitoring activities to ensure category strategy adherence. Form and execute non-critical contracts. Collaborate with business stakeholders to align business demands with category strategy. Ensure compliance with supplier safety, risk assessments, and other supplier relationship programs.

Essential Responsibilities

• Support CMs while learning to develop category strategy to capture value and improve operations. Collaborate with business stakeholders to align business demands with category/contract strategy, and execution. Perform analysis of contracts, supply & demand, market and commodity trends (including total cost of ownership and should-cost modeling), and recommend category strategies. Monitor industry information, trends, and supplier risk profiles to ensure category strategy remains in line with best practices while supporting business requirements. Support development and execution of sourcing events, including coordinating the evaluation of proposals and selection of suppliers for targeted categories of spend.

• Lead tier II and support CMs in tier 1 supplier performance and relationship management efforts focused on improving total cost of ownership, quality, delivery, and continuous improvement. Develop plans with suppliers that support business goals and strategies, while driving continuous improvement and collaboration to strengthen partnerships and bring value to the company and the supplier. Support development of supplier scorecards and monitors performance. Work with Category Managers and business stakeholders to ensure metrics are meaningful and measurable. Support the resolution of disputes with suppliers. Develop effective skills for managing complex supplier relationships and continuous improvement efforts.

• Support CMs in developing and conducting strategic contract negotiations and may lead negotiations in some instances. Ensure all contract processes are followed, documents are complete, and appropriate records are retained. Monitor compliance across buying channels, supplier, and contract purchasing execution. Coordinate the resolution of disputes and contract adjustments with suppliers and internal stakeholders. Communicate contract summary and implementation plans.

• Support development of risk management strategies and in conjunction with Legal and Security, apply understanding of underlying principles of contract law to administer all category contract agreements. In collaboration with business area management, manage and define risk elements of contracts. Limit risk by ensuring all required documents and notices have been obtained and are satisfactory.

• Support category and project plan development for the implementation of Supply Chain strategy. Interact and maintain relationships with partners to integrate sourcing and business project plans. Support change management efforts.

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, business, or related technical/analytical field. Equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.

• Requires three years of supply chain experience.

• Proficient in contract formation, negotiation, and execution.

• Willing to pursue Certified Professional in Supply Management (CPSM) or equivalent.

• Previous experience in plant operations, utility field operations, finance or business administration is a plus.

• Required to attend meetings across the region.

• Up to 10% travel is required.

Preferred Qualifications

• Previous experience with construction operations and project management

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office suite and experience with purchasing and sourcing systems strongly preferred.

Our culture is grounded in shared values and employee commitments that guide how we work, support one another, and grow together.

Our Values

Connected, Committed, Trustworthy, Safe

Our Employee Commitments

• Work that makes a difference

• A team you can count of

• Opportunities to grow

• Rewards that help you thrive

Xcel Energy provides job applicants reasonable accommodations for disabilities throughout the application process. If you are in need of an accommodation to complete the application process, now or at any time in the future, please complete the Applicant Accommodation Request Form ( .

Non-Bargaining

The anticipated starting base pay for this position is: $84,900.00 to $120,567.00 per year

This position is eligible for the following benefits: Annual Incentive Program, Medical/Pharmacy Plan, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, Dependent Care Reimbursement Account, Health Care Reimbursement Account, Health Savings Account (HSA) (if enrolled in eligible health plan), Limited-Purpose FSA (if enrolled in eligible health plan and HSA), Transportation Reimbursement Account, Short-term disability (STD), Long-term disability (LTD), Employee Assistance Program (EAP), Fitness Center Reimbursement (if enrolled in eligible health plan), Tuition reimbursement, Transit programs, Employee recognition program, Pension, 401(k) plan, Paid time off (PTO), Holidays, Volunteer Paid Time Off (VPTO), Parental Leave

Benefit plans are subject to change and Xcel Energy has the right to end, suspend, or amend any of its plans, at any time, in whole or in part.

In any materials you submit, you may redact or remove age-identifying information including but not limited to dates of school attendance and graduation. You will not be penalized for redacting or removing this information.

Deadline to Apply: 10/14/26

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Accessibility Statement

Xcel Energy endeavors to make and accessible to any and all users. If you are in need of an accommodation to complete the application process, now or at any time in the future, please complete the Applicant Accommodation Request Form ( . For any other application related questions, including application follow-ups or technical issues, please use our Recruiting Assistance, Electra, for assistance. Electra can be found in the lower right-hand corner of our Xcel Energy Careers site.