Category Manager Ii

Position Title: Category Manager II (P2)

Company Summary

Crown Castle is the nation’s largest provider of shared communications infrastructure: towers, small cells and fiber. It all works together to meet unprecedented demand—connecting people and communities and transforming the way we do business. Whenever you make a call, track a workout or stream music and videos, we’re the ones providing the communications infrastructure that makes it all possible. From 5G and the internet of things to drones, autonomous vehicles and AR/VR, we enable the technologies that help people stay safe, connected and ready for the future.   Crown Castle is publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange (CCI), is part of the S&P 500 and is one of the largest Real Estate Investment Trusts in the US.       

We offer a total benefits package and professional growth development for teammates in any stage of their career. Along with caring for our teammates, we’re an active member in the communities where we live, work and do business. We have a responsibility to give back, which we do through our Connected by Good program. Giving back allows us to improve public spaces where people connect, promote public safety and advance access to education and technology. 

Role

The Regional Strategic Sourcing Category Manager position is responsible for developing and implementing sourcing strategies for Regional construction programs to realize cost savings and to ensure an adequate supply of construction contractor resources to support he construction objectives of the Network organization. This includes collaboration with internal stakeholders, defining & running sourcing events through Coupa, analysis of pricing data, negotiating with contractors for favorable pricing and terms as well as driving Supply Chain goals and initiatives in a manner consistent with Crown Castle values. This role also has the responsibility of managing the day-to-day relationship with our contractors to ensure they are compliant with requirements of the contractor. 

Responsibilities

• Manage a portfolio of Small Cell and Fiber projects from strategic evaluation to sourcing, negotiation, award, contract execution and cost savings tracking.
• Report supplier spend, contract, and market analysis for various Service categories.
• Conduct RFx events (through Coupa), prepare bid analysis, present sourcing recommendations to leadership.
• Analyze and calculate procurement costs and develop cost reduction strategies.
• Drive purchasing decisions based on cost, contractor resource availability, scenario analysis and market trends.
• Negotiate contracts with suppliers including unit costs, discounts, terms of service and quality/performance criteria.
• Manage all new and existing contracts (in conjunction with Vendor Management and Legal), suppliers, and deliver performance results.
• Ensure procurement compliance within company, Legal, and governmental requirements.
• Working with legal counsel to ensure that all contracts relating to service delivery contain all details of the negotiation.
• Develop strategic sourcing strategies for Regional/Market teams that do not have sourcing processes or strategies.
• Drive stakeholder alignment by communicating effectively with partners on key objectives, scopes of work, SOVs/IMNs and supplier performance expectations.
• Develop partnerships with all cross-functional areas including Network I&O team, Product Management, Finance, Legal, Risk and Supply Chain teams.
• Identify new opportunities and drive results to support productivity and cost savings goals.
• Drive risk management and business continuity planning with internal stakeholders.
• Use Supply Chain best practices when developing and implementing process improvements or system controls.
• Support new suppliers during the onboarding process.
• Lead change management when establishing new sourcing programs and drive on-going evaluations to ensure savings and supply.
• Monitor contractor performance and manage issue resolution / escalation process
• Establish and maintain supplier relationships by serving as a single point of contact for contractual matters for area of responsibility
• Manage record keeping for all contract-related correspondence and documentation
• Provide contract-related issue resolution, both internally and externally
• Monitor and complete contract close-out, extension or renewal, as appropriate
• Communicate contract-related information to all stakeholders

Expectations

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills and the ability to interact professionally with a diverse group, executives, managers, and subject matter experts
• A thorough understanding of supply chain sourcing methodologies.
• Ability to establish and maintain priorities to complete assignments by deadlines
• Ability to analyze data sets and create pivots or formulas, as needed, for recommendations, reporting and review.
• Develop and monitor strategy implementation and contract compliance for key spend categories
• Track performance within each spend category and define impact
• Uphold internal and external policies, regulations, and laws.
• Proactively identify and act on problems before issues occur
• Provide creative solutions to business problems
• Exceptional analytical and strategic thinking abilities with good financial acumen.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Demonstrated organization and Project Management skills
• Proficient with MS Office suite and other work-related software
• Strong working knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams & SharePoint
• Excellent time-management and organizational skills.
• Strong negotiation skills.
• Ability to teach and train peers on process
• Ability to be agile and adjust priorities with changing needs of the business
• Willingness to travel to develop, promote, and maintain strategic sourcing relationships.

Education/Certifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in business, economics, finance, logistics, or in a related field. (Master’s Degree Preferred)

Experience/Minimum Requirements

• Two plus (2+) years of procurement experience in a related industry or Supply Chain (previous strategic/category management experience preferred).
• Outside Plant / Inside Plant / Venue Construction knowledge preferred but not required
• Demonstrated ability to negotiate large deals & contracts.

Organizational Relationship 

Reportsto: Director, Area Supply Chain Operations

Title(s) of direct reports (if applicable): N/A

Working Conditions: This role falls into our hybrid work model working in the office on Monday through Thursday.  On Fridays, teammates on the hybrid schedule will have the option to work from the office or home.  There is an expectation of collaboration with teammates and stakeholders for moments that matter that could require travel.  

Compensation Information: For New York, Colorado, California, and Washington residents the hiring range offered for this position is $54,144- $101, 520 annually. In addition to salary, employees are eligible for an annual bonus of up to 15% of annual salary. Employees (and their families) are eligible for medical, dental, vision, and basic life insurance. Employees are able to enroll in our company’s 401k plan. Employees will also receive 18 days of paid time off each year and 12 paid holidays throughout the calendar year.

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