Senior Category Lead (Major Equipment) in Burnaby

BC Hydro – Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada
Job Title: Senior Category Lead (Major Equipment)

Overview

BC Hydro’s Supply Chain function is integral to keeping the business running and the lights on. The Category Management Supply Chain team is accountable for developing and implementing strategies for key categories that account for over 80 % of BC Hydro’s annual $2 billion expenditures. The Senior Category Lead will manage the Power Transformers category (~$400 M/year of spend) and lead cross‑functional teams to develop, implement, and sustain long‑term category strategies, ensuring alignment with business objectives and operational excellence.

Responsibilities

• Lead cross‑functional teams to develop, implement, and sustain long‑term category strategies for Power Transformers.
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders and external suppliers to optimize supply and logistics models and the fuel‑supply network across operations.
• Develop and implement complex supply and logistics models, and a future‑focused procurement initiative for the AMI category.
• Manage multiple, complex categories with minimal day‑to‑day managerial support, providing coaching and mentorship to team members.
• Ensure category plans address risks, anticipate future trends, and uphold performance objectives.

High‑Level Outcomes

• Assigned categories operate to meet performance objectives and approved strategies.
• Develop and implement category strategies, sourcing, business process improvements, SRM, benefit‑realization plans, and contract support.
• Serve as a Category Expert, understanding BC Hydro’s current and future requirements and the supply market.
• Contribute to sustaining and advancing BC Hydro’s category‑management framework and processes.

Skills, Abilities & Competencies

• Strategic Thinking – effective decision making, connecting the dots, and understanding impacts across the organization.
• Execution & Working Smart – plans ahead, solves problems, and seeks process improvements.
• Relationship Development & Collaboration – builds collaborative relationships internally and externally, benefits from diverse perspectives.
• People Leadership – enables team effectiveness, holds individuals accountable, inspires others.
• Communication & Presence – adapts communication style to audiences, projects a positive and poised presence.
• Self‑Management – manages stress, promotes resiliency, embraces learning.
• Business Acumen – understands BC Hydro’s context, assesses complex hydro needs, and applies sound judgment to progress the category‑management practice.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree (MBA, Master’s, or additional education preferred).
• Professional designations/certifications (e.g., SCMP, APICS, PMP, P.Eng.) are a strong asset.
• Minimum 8 years of strategic‑level business experience or equivalent (strong category‑management experience within a large, complex organization preferred).
• Experience planning and managing multiple complex, large projects with ambitious deadlines.
• Highly skilled in change management with excellent interpersonal, communication, relationship, and coalition‑building skills.
• Experience leading cross‑functional teams in a complex business environment.
• Quick learner, accountable influencer, planning & project‑management oriented.

What else you should know

• Full‑time, regular (P4) position located at the Edmonds office in Burnaby.
• Role classified as Hybrid; expected to work in office 2–3 days per week, with flexibility for operational requirements.
• Depending on qualifications, candidates may be hired for Category Lead or Category Management Trainee program.

BC Hydro is an Equal Opportunity Employer.