Category Manager I

EPRI

. Manage EPRI’s corporate travel and meetings and events categories .

Posted 10/12/2026full-timeCharlotte • North Carolina • United StatesJuniorMid-Level💰 $60,000 - $70,000 per yearWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

Use this summary to align your resume positioning with the role.

Demonstrates expertise in corporate travel management and strategic sourcing, with a strong focus on supplier negotiation, contract management, and operational efficiency. Proficient in utilizing technology and data analysis to enhance decision-making and stakeholder value.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Corporate Travel ManagementSupplier NegotiationContract ManagementData AnalysisProject Management

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

Strategic SourcingProcurementCommercial Acquisition TermsProcure-To-Pay ProcessVendor Performance Monitoring

Soft Skills

Outstanding Communication SkillsProblem SolvingInterpersonal SkillsOrganizational SkillsDiplomatic Relationship Building

Tools & Technologies

SAPConcurCventOnline Booking ToolsGlobal Distribution Systems

Industry Keywords

Meetings and Events ManagementHospitality ManagementSupplier Risk ProcessesTravel PoliciesCategory Acquisition Strategies

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Manage EPRI’s corporate travel and meetings and events categories
Partner with internal stakeholders and external suppliers to deliver cost-effective, compliant, safe, and high-quality travel and event solutions
Support category strategy, supplier selection, contract negotiations, supplier performance, demand management, traveler and meeting-planner experience, and continuous improvement
Negotiate agreements with domestic and international suppliers, including hotels, venues, travel management companies, airlines, ground transportation providers, event-service providers, and travel-technology suppliers
Negotiate pricing, discounts, rebates, concessions, service levels, implementation support, reporting, credits, and allocation of commercial and operational risk
Draft agreement terms and negotiate sourcing agreements and acquisition terms
Track and report cost savings and avoidance; evaluate financial proposals and identify poor financial performance
Support risk analysis matrices for moderate- and high-risk arrangements and document business decisions
Identify strategic vendors and assist in developing continuity-of-business plans with alternate supply sources
Identify and assist in selecting sources of supply
Monitor vendor performance and develop collaborative strategic-vendor relationships
Identify supply-base consolidation and RFX opportunities; conduct RFX events and support objective, documented contract awards
Formulate business cases using objective information and data
Resolve vendor non-compliance and perform agreement cancellations and terminations unrelated to performance issues
Analyze market conditions and industry trends related to assigned categories
Develop category acquisition strategies, monitor progress, and report results
Help manage organizational change resulting from category-based acquisition strategies
Maintain collaborative relationships with internal clients and stakeholders; review acquisition scopes for value and compliance
Develop strategies to improve operational efficiency and add value for stakeholders and the Sourcing Team
Participate in special projects and perform other assigned duties under the Sourcing and Procurement Manager and/or Director of the Sourcing Team

Requirements

What you’ll need

Two or more years of relevant experience in corporate travel management, meetings and events management, hotel or hospitality management, travel management company operations or account management, strategic sourcing or procurement, or supplier/category management
Undergraduate degree or an equivalent combination of education and relevant professional experience
Some understanding of, and experience negotiating commercial acquisition terms and conditions, with the ability to use/draft basic agreement prose
Basic understanding of the generic procure-to-pay process
Outstanding listening, oral and written communication skills
Ability to apply sound commercial judgment and work within applicable internal controls, fraud-prevention requirements, travel policies, supplier-risk processes, and acquisition procedures
Knowledge of a corporate travel program and meetings and events program and/or experience managing a corporate travel program, meetings and events program, hospitality operation, or related supplier portfolio is preferred
Experience with SAP or comparable enterprise systems is preferred; familiarity with Concur, Cvent, online booking tools, travel management company platforms, global distribution systems, and/or meetings-management technology is a plus
Ability to manage projects, prioritize and delegate work
Ability to utilize emerging artificial intelligence (AI) tools and technologies to enhance productivity, streamline workflows, improve decision-making, and support business objectives
Self-starter capable of working independently, managing deadlines and competing workloads, making informed decisions and seeking advice/decisions from others when needed
Diplomatic, collaborative relationship builder
Strong organizational, problem solving and interpersonal skills
Experience working with data (analysis, clean-up, presentation)

Benefits

Comp & perks

Annual incentive program
Medical insurance
Dental insurance
Vision insurance
401k
STD/LTD
Paid family leave
Life and accident insurance
Paid time off (flexible vacation, sick leave, and holiday pay)