Senior Category Manager – Capital Projects, Infrastructure

Title:

Senior Category Manager – Capital Projects, Infrastructure

Duration: FTE | Direct Hire

Location:

Oakland or San Ramon, CA (Hybrid)

We are seeking experienced procurement leaders to help shape a new procurement function that supports our client's most complex and high-value infrastructure initiatives.

Some openings include:

• Category Manager – Capital Projects, Services
• Category Manager – Capital Projects, Distribution
• Category Manager – Capital Projects, Vegetation

These roles will be responsible for developing the sourcing strategy, building and leading a high-performing team, and overseeing the procurement of goods and services that support our most complex and high-value infrastructure initiatives.

This role offers a unique opportunity to shape procurement processes from the ground up, collaborate closely with cross-functional partners, and ensure the successful execution of major capital investments.

The ideal candidate brings deep knowledge of construction procurement expertise (EPC, PDB, DB and other project delivery methods), a strategic mindset, and a track record of delivering results in dynamic, fast-paced environments.

• Manages procurement team to achieve performance consistent with system-wide sourcing and contracting goals.
• Oversees a flexible and scalable team aligned to project workload.
• Ensures staffing levels and spend oversight are in line with procurement best practices and capital project demands.
• Has responsibility for major project sourcing strategy and associated supplier support services.
• Responsible to manage a large capital project spend portfolio.
• Partners with Major Projects planning teams to forecast sourcing needs and determine the optimal make-vs-buy mix.
• Prepares forecasts and “what if” sourcing scenarios to support long-term procurement planning.
• Collaborates with internal performance management teams to define and track metrics that assess procurement effectiveness, supplier performance, and cost savings.
• Prepares and delivers regular presentations regarding supplier performance, procurement-driven cost performance, sourcing pipeline updates, and budget tracking.
• Ensures procurement staff work cross-functionally to understand project scopes, plan sourcing timelines, and execute end-to-end procurement activities.
• Oversees and self-perform RFP development, bidding, proposal evaluation, and contract award.
• Partners with Category Management and Legal in final negotiations.
• Leverages cost/quality/performance data to guide supplier selection.
• Drives supplier relationship management processes, including score carding, performance reviews, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Oversees contract administration processes, including change order approvals, claims management, invoice validation, reporting, and ensuring compliance with internal controls and sourcing policies.
• Monitors industry best practices and procurement trends.
• Identifies opportunities to optimize sourcing strategies, commercial models, and contract execution.
• Collaborates with internal and external partners to improve procurement outcomes.
• Manages procurement staff through effective recruitment, development, performance management, and recognition to build a high-performing capital sourcing team.

• Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering, Construction Management, or related field.
• 10+ years of relevant experience in capital project procurement.
• Demonstrated experience managing Capital, Operations and Maintenance (O&M), and Labor budgets.
• Deep knowledge and hands on experience with EPC (Engineering, Procurement, Construction), DB (Design-Build), PDB (Progressive Design-Build) delivery methods.
• Management of large project spend.
• Must have run a $1 Billion+ project in the past. (specific for the Senior Category Manager role)

• MBA.
• Proven leadership of large construction contract teams.
• Strong financial, contractual, and construction management acumen.
• Excellent analytical and decision-making skills.
• Exceptional communication and presentation abilities across all organizational levels.
• Proven skills in project management and reporting on progress, schedules, and outcomes.
• Project management: ability to direct the preparation of schedules, records, and reports of work progress, future projects, and evaluate completed tasks.
• Demonstrated ability to mentor and lead high-performing teams.