Category Manager

## Category ManagerApply: New Albany, OH: Full time: Posted Today: End Date: October 21, 2026 (21 days left to apply): R19497**Job Posting End Date**10-21-2026Please note the job posting will close on the day before the posting end date.**Job Summary**The Procurement Category Manager will act as Lead for assigned Procurement projects, programs, and sourcing categories. Main responsibly is to oversee the specific projects and sourcing categories by providing leadership to team members in a variety of strategic areas including sourcing, procurement, contracts, supplier relationship management, supplier development, and strategy development and execution. This position will have responsibility for achieving annual savings targets from $5 million to $20 million and manage categories with an annual spend in the from $100 million to $700 million for materials and services. To be successful, this individual requires highly advanced level of knowledge and responsibility for developing, negotiating, executing and maintaining strategic sourcing agreements for specific categories for the procurement of materials, equipment and/or services used by AEP internal customers. The Procurement Category Manager will identify cost reduction opportunities and capture real Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) savings (direct or indirect) by aggregating sourcing volumes.**Job Description****What You'll Do:** * Manage project-driven sourcing activities for a variety of market baskets that are normally associated with high-spend, high-impact, and often complex categories across multiple business unit stakeholders.* Develop and implement strategies to achieve corporate savings goals.* Establish effective relationships and work collaboratively with Business Unit customers and suppliers to maintain customer satisfaction.* Interface with Business Unit leadership to report ongoing progress to goals.* Champion new initiatives that will support shared business objectives, support the business unit partner's needs, and enable the company to efficiently operate in a competitive and changing environment. **What We're Looking For:** Education requirements are listed below:* Bachelors Degree in Business Administration or related field of study.* MBA or Purchasing certification is preferred but not required. Work Experience requirement listed below:* 6+ years supply chain experience.* Advanced negotiations and ability to execute complex business transactions. **Other Must Haves:*** Must have strong analytical, teamwork and communication skills.* Must have ability to effectively work with all levels of internal management and external suppliers and must be able to prioritize and coordinate activities to successfully perform in this position.* Previous experience leading employees/teams preferred.* Expert knowledge of supply base, including market economics, supply base cost structure, supply base trends, supplier segmentation.* Expert knowledge of the market forces shaping customer’s business context.* Ability to conduct independent market intelligence and leverage personal network.* Demonstrated experience in identifying and utilizing full set of supply levers to drive category performance, including the development of complex collaboration partnership with suppliers.* Ability to conduct benchmarking and measure category performance along all dimensions of cost, quality, risk, innovation and operating processes* Ability to provide thought leadership to customers and actively shape customer’s overall strategy through sourcing lens.* Expert Analytical & Technical negotiation skills.* Ability to use automated technology systems to inform category strategies & SRM activities.* Experience using e-procurement tools.* Ability to quantify financial benefits for identified set of opportunities and initiatives.* Experience at developing complex cost and financial models.* Highly proficient with Excel and MS Office Suite.* Ability to draw strategic insight from analysis, and to effectively summarize and present insight based on the needs of the audience.* Experience with Ariba suite of tools is a plus Change Management & Relationship Management.* Independent self-starter and able to motivate others to accomplish ambiguous tasks.* Demonstrated track record of identifying root causes to issues and proactively resolving problems, leveraging cross-functional business partnerships.* Demonstrated success at facilitating processes for complex issues and partnering cross-functionally.* Ability to lead teams in a matrixed organization, across geographic and functional reporting lines.* Ability to own and strengthen relationships with key business partners & executives.* Compelling and persuasive communicator with excellent interpersonal skills.* Ability to present at varying levels of the organization (up to and including senior executive management) through various forms of media. **Where You'll Work:** * This is an On-Site role based out of Columbus, OH (New Albany, OH). **What You'll Get:** * Annual Bonus* 401(k) Match* Long-Term Incentive Plan* AEP Pension* Comprehensive Benefits Package Where Putting the Customer First Powers Everything We Do! At AEP, we’re more than just an energy company — we’re a team of dedicated professionals committed to delivering safe, reliable, and innovative energy solutions. Guided by our mission to put the customer first, we strive to exceed expectations by listening, responding, and continuously improving the way we serve our communities. If you're passionate about making a meaningful impact and being part of a forward-thinking organization, this is the company for you. *#LI-Onsite**#AEPCareers***Compensation Data****Compensation Grade:**SP20-010**Compensation Range:**$136,539.00 - $177,503.00The Physical Demand Level for this job is: S – Sedentary Work: Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally (Occasionally: activity or condition exists up to 1/3 of the time) and/or a negligible amount of force frequently. (Frequently: activity or condition exists from 1/3 to 2/3 of the time) to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time but may involve walking or standing for brief periods of time. Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required only occasionally, and all other sedentary criteria are met. #J-18808-Ljbffr