Manager, Strategic Category Management

Job-ID: 104984Category: LeadershipLocation: Akron, OH, United StatesWorkplace: On-siteSchedule: Full timePosted: 2026-10-21FirstEnergy at a GlanceWe 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 OpportunityThis is an open position with FirstEnergy Service Co., a subsidiary of FirstEnergy Corp. [SC00Position SummaryThe Manager, Strategic Category Management – Corporate 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 ResponsibilitiesDevelop 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 QualificationsBachelor’s degree in supply chain, business, finance, information systems, engineering, facilities management, or a related field preferred. Ten or more years of progressive experience and leadership in strategic sourcing, category management, procurement, supplier management, IT commercial management, facilities sourcing, or a related discipline preferred. Demonstrated success leading people and developing and executing category strategies and leading complex, cross-functional sourcing initiatives.Strong knowledge of commercial contracting, negotiation strategy, competitive sourcing, cost modeling, total cost of ownership, and supplier performance management.Experience sourcing within IT and or facilities-related categories is preferred, with the ability to evaluate differing cost structures, service models, risks, and market dynamics.Proficiency in spend analysis, business case development, financial modeling, and translating data into actionable recommendations.Strong leadership, stakeholder management, communication, and executive presentation skills.Ability to manage multiple priorities, influence without direct authority, resolve ambiguity, and deliver measurable results. Working knowledge of procurement, contract lifecycle management, sourcing, Artificial Intelligence and analytics technologies.Experience managing major technology, facilities, construction, or capital project categories in a regulated, asset-intensive, or multi-site organization.Knowledge of software licensing, cloud consumption, technology service levels, cybersecurity terms, facilities operations, real estate services, and construction contracting.Benefits, Compensation & Workforce DiversityAt FirstEnergy, employees are key to our success. We depend on their talents to meet the challenges of our changing business environment. We are committed to rewarding individual and team efforts through our total rewards philosophy which includes competitive pay plus incentive compensation, a company-sponsored pension plan, 401(k) savings plan with matching employer contribution, a choice of medical, prescription drug, dental, vision, and life insurance programs, as well as skills development training with tuition reimbursement. Please visit our website at to learn more about all of our employee rewards programs. FirstEnergy proudly supports workforce diversity. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, status as a protected veteran, or status as a qualified individual with a disability. No recruiters or agencies without a previously signed contract. Unable to sponsor or transfer H-1B visas at this time.SafetySafety is a core value for FirstEnergy and is essential to all of our business activities. We ensure employees have the tools, information, and processes to perform their duties in a manner that assures safety for themselves, their co-workers, our customers and the public. Our goals are to provide a safe work environment, to maintain an accident-free, injury-free workplace, and to promote and maintain public safety. To meet these goals, we dedicate ourselves to achieving world-class safety standards.Position ClassificationExempt FirstEnergy Human Resources Team