Mgr-Aftermarket Category

Stoughton Trailers, LLC•Stoughton, WI

10d

About The Position

The Aftermarket Category Manager manages key aftermarket supplier relationships and performance, negotiates supplier agreements, supports aftermarket pricing, and owns annual cost-reduction targets. The role identifies and launches new products and product lines, manages aftermarket inventory with Operations, and works with Sales and Customer Service on demand planning and promotions. It also leads and develops the Aftermarket Buyer and builds the processes, reporting, and team structure needed to grow the category management function. The position is expected to deliver first-year improvements in order-line fill rate, inventory turns, aged and obsolete inventory, supplier on-time delivery, cost savings, and revenue from newly launched products. Employees must be able to perform the essential functions satisfactorily, with or without reasonable accommodation; accommodations are evaluated case by case.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Business, or a related field, or equivalent experience.
At least 5 years in purchasing, procurement, or inventory management; aftermarket parts, heavy-duty or transportation, or industrial distribution experience is ideal.
A track record of negotiating supplier contracts and managing supplier performance.
Strong analytical skills and advanced Excel skills.
Working experience with an ERP system.

Nice To Haves

At least 2 years of people leadership.
Experience with Infor Syteline / CloudSuite Industrial and Power BI.
Background in category management or new product introduction.
APICS/ASCM (CPIM or CSCP) or ISM (CPSM) certification.
Knowledge of trailer or heavy-duty truck parts.

Responsibilities

Serve as the main contact for key aftermarket suppliers and manage their performance on quality, on-time delivery, lead time, and cost.
Hold regular business reviews with strategic suppliers and develop secondary sources to reduce supply risk.
Resolve shortages, quality problems, and expedites before they affect customers.
Negotiate and manage supplier agreements, including pricing, payment terms, minimum order quantities, lead times, warranty, and return provisions.
Track contract renewals and price changes, and own annual cost-reduction targets.
Provide cost and margin inputs to Sales Operations and Marketing to support aftermarket pricing decisions, including new-product pricing.
Coordinate with Trailer manufacturing purchasing to use combined spend as leverage where applicable.
Identify new products and product lines to expand the aftermarket portfolio, using input from the RAM team, dealers, fleets, and market research.
Build business cases for new items covering demand, cost, margin, and supply source; manage launches through sourcing, item setup, initial stocking, and handoff to Sales and Marketing.
Track the performance of new products after launch.
Co-manage stocking levels, reorder points, and safety stock with Operations to meet fill-rate targets while controlling inventory investment.
Monitor inventory turns, aging, and slow-moving and obsolete stock, and take corrective action such as vendor returns, sales promotions, or write-down recommendations.
Work with Sales and Customer Service on demand planning, seasonal needs, and dealer specials and promotions.
Lead, coach, and develop the Aftermarket Buyer, and set clear goals and priorities.
Build the processes, reporting, and team structure needed to grow into a full category management function.