Sr. Mechanical & Electrical Installation Category Manager

Job description

Job Summary: The Senior Regional Commercial Category Manager - Mechanical & Electrical Installations is a new role for the Projects Business Line, in response to market and client preferences for EP+ delivery models, and will lead strategic procurement and category management for specialized, high-value electrical and mechanical installation activities across North American projects. This role is responsible for executing North American procurement strategies while developing tailored regional approaches aligned with project execution and overall business objectives. Key focus areas include supplier development and strategy, proposal costing and optimization, execution negotiations, risk mitigation, and ensuring on-time delivery of critical installation scope. In a collaborative matrix environment with project execution teams, engineering, and construction leadership, this role drives cost optimization, schedule adherence, and operational excellence while managing complex contractor relationships and specialized contractual frameworks. Duties & Responsibilities: Strategic Sourcing & Supplier Management - Develop and manage a preferred network of electrical and mechanical installation contractors. Evaluate contractor qualifications including technical expertise, safety performance, insurance coverage, bonding capacity, and geographic reach. Create long-term partnerships and framework agreements that balance cost, quality, schedule, and risk. Analyze market trends, pricing, and contractor capacity to inform sourcing strategies. Drive continuous improvement with key contractors on productivity, safety, and performance. Optimize contractor allocation across projects to maximize capacity utilization and cost efficiency. Execute multi-million dollar cost reduction initiatives. Consolidate orders across national and regional projects to leverage negotiation power and achieve economies of scale. Proposal Development & Cost Analysis - Lead proposal development, tendering, and evaluation for electrical and mechanical installation packages. Build detailed cost models incorporating labor rates, material escalation, equipment costs, mobilization, and site-specific factors. Conduct total cost of ownership (TCO) analyses evaluating schedule impact, quality risk, contractual considerations, and post-installation support. Optimize contractor proposals to identify cost-saving opportunities without compromising scope or safety. Benchmark costs against industry standards and historical project data. Contract Negotiations & Commercial Strategy - Lead negotiations with contractors on pricing, terms, conditions, and commercial frameworks throughout proposal and execution phases. Develop specialized contract terms tailored to installation scope, risk profile, and project requirements. Establish clear scope definitions, division of responsibility, and interface management protocols. Negotiate insurance requirements, bonding, and risk allocation frameworks. Secure favorable payment terms, performance incentives, and schedule-based adjustments. Manage contract amendments and change orders to maintain cost control and schedule integrity. Risk Management & Compliance - Develop comprehensive risk management strategies addressing installation-specific hazards, schedule risks, and performance uncertainties. Define appropriate insurance requirements, coverage limits, and liability frameworks. Document clear divisions of responsibility between contractors, clients, and other trades. Implement risk mitigation strategies including performance bonds, parent company guarantees, and liquidated damages provisions. Ensure compliance with safety regulations, environmental requirements, and industry standards. Contractor Performance & Delivery Management - Establish post-award management protocols ensuring contractor mobilization, resource allocation, and schedule adherence. Monitor contractor performance against key metrics (schedule, quality, safety, cost). Conduct regular performance reviews and implement corrective action plans for underperforming contractors. Manage invoicing, payment processing, and financial reconciliation. Coordinate with project teams on schedule optimization and delivery risks. Drive on-time delivery through proactive management and contractor accountability. Manage escalations, disputes, and change management processes. Conduct post-project reviews to capture lessons learned and drive continuous improvement. Cross-Functional Collaboration - Partner with project execution, legal, insurance, contract management, engineering, and construction teams to align procurement strategies with business objectives. Collaborate with tendering teams to develop competitive bid packages and evaluation criteria. Implement best-in-class procurement practices and leverage global frameworks. Coordinate with safety, quality, and compliance functions to ensure contractor alignment with organizational standards. Build strong relationships with internal stakeholders to understand project needs and identify optimization opportunities. The above is not designed to capture all the employee’s responsibilities but is intended to capture essential functions of the role. Responsibilities may change over time and may be assigned at any time. Knowledge, Skills & Abilities: Deep knowledge of electrical and mechanical installation execution, contractor operations, construction methodologies, and site realities Strong negotiation skills with proven ability to secure favorable terms in complex, high-stakes contractor agreements Deep knowledge of procurement category management, contractor management, and installation-specific procurement practices Respond constructively to changing project requirements, site conditions, and contractor performance issues Work independently with strong drive toward schedule adherence and cost optimization Excellent written and verbal communication skills with ability to influence stakeholders at all levels; clear documentation of contractual frameworks and expectations Proven ability to work effectively across project teams, procurement, contract management, engineering, construction, legal, and contractor organizations; building trust and accountability Education & Experience: Required Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Supply Chain Management, or Business Management 10+ years of experience in electrical and mechanical installation procurement, contractor management, or EPC construction execution Proven experience in procurement, sourcing, contract management, or project management within an EPC project setting Demonstrated expertise in installation contractor management, including evaluation, development, and performance management Advanced knowledge of specialized terms and conditions, insurance requirements, bonding, and risk allocation frameworks specific to installation contracts Proven ability to develop detailed scope of work definitions and manage division of responsibility across multiple contractors and trades Strong understanding of installation execution, construction methodologies, site logistics, and contractor operations Expertise in proposal evaluation, cost modeling, and total cost of ownership analysis for installation services Demonstrated success in complex negotiations with contractors on pricing, terms, and commercial frameworks Proven track record of managing post-award contractor performance and ensuring on-time delivery Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with ability to identify cost optimization and schedule improvement opportunities Excellent project management skills with ability to manage multiple concurrent projects and competing priorities Advanced knowledge of construction industry standards, safety regulations, and compliance requirements Preferred 15+ years of experience in electrical and mechanical installation procurement, contractor management, or EPC construction execution Direct EPC firm, construction company, or major industrial contractors experience with a focus on contractor installations Professional procurement certification (e.g., C.P.M., CPSM, CIPS) Professional project management certification (e.g., PMP) Experience with SAP, Ariba, and Google Workspace Working Conditions: Up to 20% annual travel Join a company that values Responsibility, Solidarity, Innovation, Customer Focus, and Respect. You'll have opportunities for comprehensive leadership development, career advancement, and the chance to make a meaningful impact on sustainability and environmental protection while leading a talented team. At Veolia, we realize diverse teams make smarter decisions, deliver better results, and build stronger communities. We’re an organization that champions diversity and inclusion at every rung of the ladder and are proud to be an equal opportunity workplace. We offer challenging, meaningful careers. Because our people are our greatest assets, we also offer competitive compensation and benefits. Compensation: The compensation range is tied to the market for similarly benchmarked roles. The range is not an absolute, but a guide, and offers will be based on the individual candidate’s knowledge, skills, experience, and market conditions, as well as internal peer equity. Depending upon all the preceding considerations for the final selected individual candidate, the offer may be lower or higher than the stated range: $110,000.00 - $120,000.00 + 10% annual incentive bonus plan. Benefits: Medical, Dental, & Vision Insurance Starting Day 1! Life Insurance Paid Time Off Paid Holidays Parental Leave 401(k) Plan with company matching! Flexible Spending & Health Savings Accounts AD&D Insurance Disability Insurance Tuition Reimbursement As an inclusive company, Veolia is committed to diversity and considers all applications equally, without discrimination. ****Applicants are required to be eligible to lawfully work in the U.S. immediately; the employer will not sponsor applicants for U.S. work authorization (e.g., H-1B visa) for this opportunity**** Veolia does not accept unsolicited resumes from external recruiting firms. All vendors must have a current and fully executed MSA on file before submitting candidates. Any unsolicited resumes and candidate profiles will be deemed the property of the company, and no fee will be due. As an inclusive company, Veolia is committed to diversity and gives equal consideration to all applications, without discrimination. Veolia Group is a global leader in environmental services, operating across all five continents with nearly 218,000 employees. Specializing in water, energy, and waste management, Veolia Group designs and implements innovative solutions for decarbonization, depollution, and resource regeneration, supporting communities and industries in their ecological transformation. Within this framework, Veolia's Water Tech Business brings together a dedicated team of experienced professionals committed to tackling the world’s most complex challenges related to water scarcity, quality, productivity, and energy. Together, we pursue a shared mission to create a more sustainable future.