Associate Category Manager

Johns Manville•Denver, CO

6d•$66,600 - $91,600•Onsite

About The Position

The Associate Category Manager supports the execution of category strategies to drive cost competitiveness, ensure supply continuity, and strengthen supplier performance across direct materials, indirect spend, and trading goods. This role is designed for a developing procurement professional who contributes to measurable outcomes—such as cost savings, supplier performance improvements, and operational efficiency—while building foundational skills in sourcing, negotiation, and cross-functional collaboration. Success in this role is defined by the ability to support and deliver against cost reduction goals, manage supplier relationships effectively, and proactively contribute to sourcing initiatives that improve business performance.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree required
2+ years of sourcing, procurement, or supply chain related experience
Foundational knowledge of commodity management and sourcing practices
Basic negotiation and contract management skills
Understanding of financial analysis and cost drivers
Familiarity with e-sourcing tools and ERP systems (SAP preferred)
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, PowerPoint, Word, Outlook)
Strong communication skills with the ability to present ideas and recommendations clearly
Ability to influence stakeholders and collaborate across teams

Nice To Haves

CPSM certification (or progress toward certification) preferred

Responsibilities

Contribute to achieving annual cost reduction targets through sourcing initiatives and supplier collaboration
Support development and execution of category strategies aligned with business objectives
Identify and help implement cost-saving opportunities, process improvements, and efficiency gains
Manage supplier relationships to ensure quality, delivery, and cost expectations are consistently met
Monitor supplier performance and ensure contract compliance across all assigned vendors
Participate in supplier workshops to identify and capture annual savings and performance improvements
Support cross-functional projects focused on new supplier qualification, alternate materials, and cost reduction initiatives
Help drive sourcing activities that ensure uninterrupted and sustainable supply across manufacturing operations
Lead and deliver smaller projects or workstreams, collaborating with internal stakeholders
Develop and maintain monthly scorecards and performance metrics to track savings, supplier performance, and category health
Use data and analytics to support decision-making and identify improvement opportunities
Provide insights and recommendations to leadership based on analysis of spend and supplier performance
Assist in the development and implementation of contracts that support cost competitiveness and risk management
Apply foundational negotiation skills to support favorable commercial outcomes
Ensure contracts align with sourcing strategies and business needs
Demonstrate and develop JM Leadership Attributes through daily work and interactions
Build foundational expertise in strategic sourcing, supplier management, and category planning
Actively seek feedback, mentorship, and opportunities to expand scope and responsibility
Assist in developing and executing sourcing and category strategies
Support cost reduction initiatives and track savings performance
Manage supplier relationships and ensure contract compliance
Participate in supplier engagements and workshops to drive improvements
Support cross-functional initiatives including new product development and process improvements
Maintain performance metrics, reporting, and scorecards
Ensure consistent supply of materials and services to operations