Job Information
FirstEnergy Corp Supply Chain Category Specialist - Professional Services in Akron, Ohio
JOB DESCRIPTION
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 integrity, safety, reliability and operational excellence. Headquartered in Akron, Ohio, FirstEnergy includes one of the nation's largest investor-owned electric systems, more than 24,000 miles of transmission lines that connect the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic regions, and a regulated generating fleet with a total capacity of more than 3,500 megawatts.
About The Opportunity
This posting is for an open position for a Professional Services Category Specialist with the FirstEnergy Service Company, a subsidiary of FirstEnergy Corp.
FirstEnergy Supply Chain (SC) has undergone digital transformation, implemented a new Source-to-Pay system and is investing in advanced tools such as market intelligence software, supplier risk analytics, spend analysis, and clean sheeting to enhance strategic sourcing capabilities. FirstEnergy is expanding its team in key categories to further support our business partners across the enterprise.
The Professional Services Category Specialist supports strategic sourcing initiatives across a broad range of professional services categories, including consulting, advisory services, legal, audit, tax, HR and talent services, training and development, marketing and creative services, managed services, energy efficiency programs, emerging technology programs and other business support services. This role partners with internal stakeholders and external service providers to drive cost savings, improve service quality, manage risk and compliance, and deliver measurable strategic value.
This position is designated as on-site in Akron, Ohio.
Responsibilities include:
Supporting the strategic category manager in achieving significant cost reductions in assigned professional services categories
Defining contracting optimization strategies that seek total cost of ownership and service level improvements
Partnering with stakeholders across the enterprise to develop optimization strategies, identify opportunities, and execute improvement plans.
Leveraging technology, analytics, and tools to collect and analyze supplier spend data to drive savings
Analyzing supplier performance data and provide input to category sourcing strategy
Developing strategic plans for contracting and improving managed categories
Ensuring execution of strategies within user area
Leading supplier selection and management
Measuring and tracking performance of overlooked suppliers
Developing knowledge and best practices in the categories within areas of responsibility
Ensuring user satisfaction of the strategic sourcing process
Keeping strategic manager informed about procurement progress
Planning and leading RFP processes in assigned categories
Coordinating with users' technical assessment of received proposals
Negotiating contract conditions that are more favorable for FirstEnergy
Tracking market dynamics of categories
Defining cost benchmarks for categories under management
Qualifications include:
- Bachelor's degree i