Category Manager, Offshore Renewables

Position Description 

Applications are invited for the position of Category Manager Offshore Renewable and Hydrogen Development in the Renewable Generation Development Procurement Team in Enterprise Services Procurement.  The Category Manager uses their market expertise to influence and implement strategy.  The Offshore Renewable and Hydrogen Category currently includes offshore renewable projects and hydrogen production and storage projects.  He or she develops, implements and manages business plans, policies and procedures for cost effective delivery of business goals. 

The Category Manager, in collaboration with their colleagues in the business (primarily Generation Asset Development and Engineering & Major Projects), is responsible for procuring materials, works and services that achieve best value for money, while ensuring compliance with EU Directives, Statutory Regulations, internal procedures and applicable procurement law.  In support of ESB’s strategic objectives of decarbonising electricity, building resilient infrastructure and empowering clients, he or she will agree procurement strategies for complex and strategically important contracts and will provide expert advice to procurement team members and colleagues in the business.

The role includes responsibility for the input to/development of procurement policies and procedures, including input to the Governance Control Frameworks for Joint Ventures within the category.  The Category Manager will work closely with the wider Procurement Management Team to support the development of overall corporate procurement policies. The Category Manager is a first line governance role, ensuring systems and procedures are in place to support an efficient and compliant procurement function in the category. 

This role represents an excellent career development opportunity for the right candidate, who will gain invaluable commercial experience and training in an area which is key to the delivery of ESB’s Net Zero by 2040 Strategy.

Key Responsibilities 

Working with the Procurement Manager, Renewable Generation Development, E&TS the Category Manager will be accountable for a range of strategically important procurement categories vital to the success of ESB’s strategy “Driven to Make a Difference: Net Zero 2040”.  They will be involved in an interesting and varied mix of commercial work.

• Leadership role in relation to procurement procedures and processes and in the development and implementation of corporate policies.
• Develop strategic procurement plans and build quality relationships with internal and external stakeholders (including key vendors/suppliers and JV partners).
• Provision of strategic advice and a high-quality service to the business, including the development of business-critical strategies and plans, advice in relation to source planning, appropriate tender strategies, contract management, vendor relationship management and market insights.
• Lead a team comprising of Category Managers and Category Buyers, in line with business and sustainability objectives, to deliver strategically important contracts.
• Risk management activities for the category.
• Pivotal role in the management of business-critical suppliers/contractors and supply chain risk management in the category as ESB responds to volatile market conditions and supply chain disruptions.

Experience and Qualifications

Essential

• A relevant professional qualification (Engineering, Business, Procurement) or 3rd level qualification, or equivalent work experience.
• 10+ years relevant industry experience.
• Excellent commercial acumen and procurement or contract management expertise.
• Excellent communications, interpersonal and stakeholder management skills.
• Expert relevant supply chain knowledge.
• An appreciation of EU and Government policies and legislation in relation to procurement.
• If required, the successful candidate must be prepared to undertake a Certificate or Diploma qualification in procurement on a day release basis.

Desirable

• Knowledge of the EU Utilities Directive or EU Public Procurement Directive.
• Experience in Renewable Projects

Location 

The role is full time, and the successful candidate will be required to be available to work in ESB Head Office, 27 Lower Fitzwilliam Street, Dublin 2. There may be a requirement to be available to work at other locations, as needed. Occasional travel may also be required.

ESB is committed to smart working – combining digital tools with a culture of trust and empowerment to enable flexible ways of working. The successful candidate may work flexibly within their jurisdiction with attendance at the workplace for in-person collaboration on at least one anchor day per week. All smart working arrangements are subject to manager approval and ongoing review, based on the operational requirements of the role, the team, and the individual.

Reporting To

This role will report initially to the Procurement Manager, Renewable Generation Development, E&TS, Enterprise Services.  The Category Manager may, over time, be assigned as a procurement specialist to an offshore renewables project.  On assignment to a project, the role will report to the Commercial Manager in the project with a functional reporting line to the Procurement Manager, Renewable Generation Development, Enterprise Services.

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