Category Manager

Position Summary

Category Manager responsible for leading the procurement teams activities for the designated category including supply operation management, supplier relationship management, strategic sourcing initiatives to reduce supply chain complexity and developing a more cost-effective supply chain. Monitor market conditions and to drive strategies that meet and exceed Tecomet’s Procurement and Supply Chain objectives of driving cost savings and working capital projects. This is a strategic role and requires strategy development and execution of all Tecomet Procurement initiatives.

Principle Responsibilities

• Execute category spend strategy to drive cost savings projects to completion, balancing site purchasing requirements and procurement targets.
• Manage assigned categories (direct and indirect) to drive most cost-effective solutions, including balancing all KPI’s to achieve the best total cost solution.
• Continuously work on identifying and implementing cost saving strategies and product alternatives, including improved payment terms, MOQ’s, delivery, and lead times
• Identify and capture profit improvement opportunities beyond leveraged sourcing, e.g., demand management opportunities, insource versus outsource decisions, efficiencies in the company’s comprehensive supply chain, and/or other strategic and operational process improvements.
• Establish uniform KPIs and quarterly supplier reviews of quality, cost, delivery, and administrative process performance. Anticipate and minimize performance issues.
• When performance issues emerge, identify root causes and drive for efficient resolution of issues at hand by working across both internal and external stakeholders.
• Analyze and convert raw data into actionable insights.
• Manage multiple complex projects.
• Define business processes for escalation and resolution of site issues and opportunities.
• Identify mid and long-term category opportunities for spend and performance continuous improvements.
• Work closely with sales teams to analyze sales trends, purchasing habits and competing products to improve sales and revenue.
• Develop relationships with vendors and suppliers to achieve optimum contracts that support the enhancement of product promotions.
• Quantify and report both identified and implemented sourcing project results.
• Ensure appropriate cross-functional partnering on process improvement projects.
• Track and work with corporate finance to report results for identified projects and when applicable, work with other functions across company to replicate projects with positive results.
• Foster relationships with suppliers to create short-term and long-term value for the company.
• Lead global business reviews with strategic suppliers to ensure performance against contracted obligations and business unit expectations.
• Other duties as assigned

Qualification Requirements

Credentials/Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in business, Supply Chain or Engineering field
• Minimum of 5 years of experience, although prefer 10+ years, working in procurement, strategic sourcing, category management, plant operations, or related fields.
• Experience in a manufacturing industry required

Experience/Educational/Training Preferred:

• Master’s degree preferred.
• Experience with a center-led business model preferred
• In-depth understanding of Epicor, or similar ERP and MRP system, preferred
• APICS desired
• CPM preferred
• Licenses and certifications

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• In-depth knowledge of contract negotiations, and procurement and logistics best practices
• Highly proficient in Microsoft Office
• Excellent analytical skills, ability to create and manage complex spreadsheets
• Experience working within a project management environment. PMP certification preferred.
• Excellent data entry skills
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Ability to work independently and exercise judgment.
• Current with relevant trends and applications.
• Start-up mentality, able to embrace new challenges and thrive in a collaborative environment.

Equal opportunity employer as to all protected groups, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA): Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions