Sr. Category Manager, Electric Vehicles

About Us

Highland Electric Fleets is a comprehensive turnkey solutions provider that delivers electric school buses (EVSB) to school districts and third-party managed fleet providers (3PMs).

We offer a model involving financing, infrastructure, vehicle deployment, and maintenance in an easily digestible, economic format that enables EVSB acquisition at traditional diesel cost of ownership.

Our mission is to eliminate the barriers to better student health and cleaner air.

We aim to mitigate risk for our customers, increase EVSB market penetration, and deliver positive impacts across a broad spectrum of stakeholders: students, communities, school districts, fleet operators, manufacturers, and utilities.

Summary:

Reporting to the Director, Supply Chain & Procurement, the Sr. Category Manager, Electric Vehicles

will play a pivotal role in developing and executing sourcing strategies for vehicles within our fleet

management operations.

You will leverage your expertise in strategic procurement and supplier

relationship management to ensure the highest standards of cost-efficiency, reliability, on-time delivery and operational effectiveness.

• Lead cross-functional teams including Sales, Finance, and Operations in developing and implementing strategies for achieving market-leading TCO for vehicles.

• Negotiate pricing for vehicles and parts, as well as, long-term agreements with an eye towards win-win outcomes that drive value for Highland and its dealer and OEM partners.

• Monitor market trends and industry developments to anticipate changes in vehicle technology, pricing, and availability.

• Lead RFP’s and source selection for vehicles in accordance with applicable regulations (e.g., EPA Clean School Bus program regulations).

• Develop and maintain “should cost” and forward costing models for vehicles.
• Collaborate with Operations & Engineering to define metrics and to negotiate service level agreements with vehicle dealers.

• Lead the advanced procurement efforts for new vehicle categories including market research, supplier identification, RFI/RFP’s, and supplier selection.

• Bachelor’s degree in supply chain, business administration, finance or related discipline. Master’s degree preferred.
• 8+ years of experience in strategic sourcing / category management for automotive, industrial equipment, and/or electronics. Preferably, some experience with managing automotive OEM’s or dealers.

• Strong negotiation and influencing skills. Experience negotiating complex agreements for equipment and services.

• Ability to build and maintain strong relationships with suppliers.
• Utilizes data and systems as tools to aid in problem-solving and strategy development.
• Confident, high energy, self-motivated and a team player.
• Ability to operate in a fast paced, innovative, dynamic team.
• Ability to work with little supervision and thrive in a deadline driven environment; proactive, systemic, and detail oriented in addressing challenges; passion for accelerating success and driving change.

• Proficient in utilizing Google & Microsoft 365 tools for analysis and presentations
• Ability to organize, prioritize, and execute multiple unrelated projects and to clearly communicate status and recommendations for further action (verbal and written).

What You Can Expect from Highland:

· Competitive base salary and performance-based bonus program

· A supportive, highly collaborative, team-oriented environment

· Opportunities to make a difference, be heard, add value, and be recognized

· Growth and development with a leader in this new and exciting industry

· Ability to work with bright, innovative, and forward-thinking colleagues

· Health, Vision, and Dental coverage for employees & their dependents

· Life insurance, public transportation assistance

· Generous Paid Time Off

· 401(k) program and company match

Highland Electric Fleets provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, Highland Electric Fleets complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.