Senior Category Manager Road Freight
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Responsibilities
- Sourcing carriers, negotiating contracts, and supporting the transportation & logistics teams to ensure category consistency, performance and value, cost-effective relationships.
- Coordinates with Sourcing & Corporate Program Managers in the development and execution of category strategies, and the identification of opportunities for continuous improvement and cost savings
- Fosters deep stakeholder relationships by connecting with internal stakeholders and providing regular updates to senior leadership on category performance and initiatives
- Provides oversight of the specific indirect spend category ensuring effective management and alignment with organizational objectives
- Provides guidance to team on the negotiation of contracts, establishment of sourcing relationships, ongoing operational efficiencies, and management of programs.
- Guides the comprehensive analysis of category performance metrics, leveraging data-driven insights to identify strategic opportunities and drive continuous improvement
- Develops the annual category plan and budget for the specific category, aligning with organizational goals and priorities
- Conducts meetings regularly to discuss progress, address challenges, and foster collaboration across category management functions
- Evaluates the performance of team members periodically, providing constructive feedback and support for professional development
- Maintains a comprehensive and up-to-date understanding of market trends, emerging technologies, and vendor capabilities within the category to inform strategic decision-making
- Engages with internal stakeholders regularly to provide updates on category performance, collaborate on sourcing strategies and initiatives, and solicit feedback for improvement
- Reviews and update category management policies and procedures to ensure alignment with industry best practices and organizational requirements
- Identifies opportunities for cost savings and process improvement, driving efficiency and effectiveness in procurement operations
- Is the primary point of contact with the business and vendors, developing deep stakeholder relationships
- Manages the specific indirect spend category within the overall procurement strategy, ensuring alignment with organizational goals including sustainability
- Supports the Category Director in stakeholder engagement activities and relationship management, fostering innovation, collaboration, and alignment across functions
- Contributes to the development of the annual category plan and budget, aligning category strategies with overall objectives and organizational priorities
- Supports development of the five-year strategy and long-range plan including achievement of goals
- Supports corporate initiatives and M&A projects, including due diligence, identification of synergies, and post-acquisition integration
- Leverages spend data analysis to identify cost-saving opportunities and drive efficiency in procurement operations
- Leads contract processes end-to-end for select contracts with support from the Sourcing Managers
- Provides support to the Sourcing Manager when needed in case of contractual complexities
- Collaborates with Country Leads and Procurement Managers in the Regional Sourcing team for category global strategies
- Willing to travel both domestically and internationally, as required
Education and Work Experience
Requires transferable experience in managing a logistics / transportation commodity strategy as well as operational outputs of logistics / road freight.Educational requirements include a bachelor's degree in business administration, supply chain or finance.Minimum of five (5) years of strategic procurement, spend analytics and category management experience. Preferably seven (7) years of experience within Indirect Procurement.Skills and Knowledge
Strong business planning, analytical and conceptual skills to evaluate business problems and identify and apply appropriate solutionsExperience with business intelligence tools, capabilities, and best practicesKnowledge of systems and tools used within Indirect Procurement Source to Pay platforms, eRFx tools, Market Intelligence and Spend AnalyticsStrong knowledge of indirect category spend dataAbility to effectively manage and participate in cross-functional problem-solving teamsStrong business acumenStrong project management skillsAbility to manage a variety of tasks simultaneouslyAbility to communicate effectively both orally and in writing, as well as strong presentation skillsExcellent judgment and decision-making skillsStrong interpersonal skillsStrong organizational skills; attention to detailKnowledge of Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, and advanced proficiency in ExcelEqual Employment Opportunity
Cencora is committed to providing equal employment opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, age, disability, veteran status or membership in any other class protected by federal, state or local law.
The company's continued success depends on the full and effective utilization of qualified individuals. Therefore, harassment is prohibited and all matters related to recruiting, training, compensation, benefits, promotions and transfers comply with equal opportunity principles and are non-discriminatory.
Cencora is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities during the employment process which are consistent with legal requirements.