At POET, it is our mission to be good stewards of the Earth by converting renewable resources to energy and other valuable goods as effectively as humanly possible. For over thirty-five years, our drive and passion to change the world has enabled us to become the largest producer and marketer of bioethanol and a leader in sustainable products in the world.
We’re all on the same team. We always communicate. And we park our egos at the door. These aren’t just slogans on our walls. It’s the way we do things at POET. We provide an environment for team members to maintain a healthy work-life balance. It’s the best way to optimize health, wellness, and productivity in a sustainable way. We work hard. We play hard. We have frequent team events, volunteer efforts, and we know how to celebrate wins!
As a Category Manager, Direct Services you will be responsible for the strategic approach to sourcing assigned services for POET Bioprocessing. You will manage vendor relationships, negotiate the best value for POET, perform strategic analysis and be responsible for decision-making. Become highly knowledgeable in your categories and ensure appropriate risk management through thorough execution. The Category Manager’s role is to provide as much value to POET through negotiation, strategic development, and critical thinking as possible.
This role is part of a strategic hiring initiative to add over 20 new team members to support our growing organization.
This is an on-site role located in Sioux Falls, SD. Responsibilities include:
Fostering relationships with strategic suppliers to create innovative and collaborative partnerships.
Developing strong relationships with key stakeholders and clearly understanding their priorities.
Collaboration is key to success!
Drives long-term strategies to generate process improvements and efficiencies.
Support strategies and processes to maintain quality service availability across the enterprise
Leads, negotiates and administers contracts with suppliers, vendors, and other representatives to drive best value.
Evaluates and monitors contract performance to ensure compliance with contractual obligations.
Supports and maintains risk management strategies.
Researches and evaluates suppliers based on factors including, but not limited to, cost, service, quality, ability to supply, and innovation.
Maintains a continuous improvement mindset.
Continuously striving for better service and greater value for our stakeholders.
May have a small team of direct reports or be an individual contributor that leads through influence.
Partners with other procurement team members to ensure accurate and timely delivery with excellent customer service to our stakeholders across the organization.
Since we’re all about teamwork and getting the job done, your skills may be put to a lot of other uses!
Degree in business or technical field and 2+ years related experience; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
Experience negotiating and managing contracts.
Demonstrated leadership, negotiation, and relationship-building skills.
Comfortable presenting in front of a room of business leaders.
Experience working in or with direct services preferred
Experience procuring or sourcing direct services preferred
Prior exposure to fields such as millwright, electrical, plumbing, or similar work preferred
Contract experience with the above fields or similar services preferred
Ability to navigate ambiguity and prioritize effectively.
Strong interpersonal skills, possessing a high degree of professionalism and customer service.
Strong strategic and analytical skills to include complex analysis.
Strong written and oral communication skills, decision-making, and problem solving abilities.
Excellent organizational and time management skills as well as the ability to adapt to change.
Positive, Honest, and Concise.
Ability to work in a fast paced, dynamic and changing environment.
Eager to learn and change the world.
Excitement about spending time on-site in POET facilities to learn what matters to our internal stakeholders
Up to 20% travel required which may include vendor visits, continuing education, and conferences.
This position operates in an office environment, working at a personal computer where you may sit or stand. Most of our Sioux Falls office workspace consists of an open-concept design intended to promote open communication and collaboration.
At POET, we encourage internal development and growth by allowing team members to carve their own path to success. Leaders support team members with the necessary resources to develop their skills, achieve goals, and create the most value. We believe in developing our team members to their highest potential and recognizing contributions that add value to the organization. Each new team member’s position and compensation are carefully determined by considering their unique qualifications and skillset.
Comprehensive benefits package: Individual and family plans for health, dental, & vision insurance, including a generous employer Health Savings Account contribution
Quarterly Profit-Sharing Bonuses and Bi-Annual Incentive Bonuses
Competitive pay, including shift premium pay for qualifying positions
401K with company match
Paid time off and paid holidays – 40 hours available on day ONE!
Paid Parental Leave
Tuition reimbursement
Attractive Relocation Assistance and Bonus Programs for qualifying positions and/or locations
A multifaceted wellness program encompassing the whole person – mentally, physically, and spiritually
Onsite fitness centers or fitness reimbursements
Safety and cold weather gear reimbursements
Discounted home and auto insurance
POET is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to maintaining a workplace free from discrimination and harassment. Employment decisions are based on qualifications, abilities, merit, and other legitimate business factors, without regard to any legally protected characteristic. This policy applies to all aspects of employment, including recruitment, hiring, compensation, benefits, working conditions, promotion, and termination.
Imagination, Discipline and a Lasting Impression
At POET, we are changing the world for the better while leaving a legacy that promotes health and sustainability through renewable biofuels.
We believe in creativity from common sense. We believe the solution to our nation's growing energy crises is not some far-flung work of science fiction. It's the domestic energy we're producing today. The people of POET are currently replacing millions of barrels of imported oil every year with clean, renewable energy. All while pumping billions of dollars back into the American economy.
In our three decades on the job, POET has developed an unmatched record in technology, reliability and efficiency. That's a legacy we intend to pass on. And every day we keep building on it. Today, we have a network of 28 plants in seven states and produce more than 1.7 billion gallons of biofuels annually.
More important than volume is the efficiency with which we produce our products. POET provides turnkey development, design, engineering, construction, management and marketing services for our plant network. Our facilities are the most successful and profitable in the industry.
Our technologies were developed and refined through years of hard work and collaboration with leaders in clean technology, biochemistry and animal nutrition. As a result, we reap more value from a bushel of corn than anyone.
In addition to biofuels, we've perfected the leading brand of premium dried distillers grains with solubles on the market, Dakota Gold®.