Associate Category Manager

Grainger Businesses•Lake Forest, IL

19d•$80,700 - $134,500•Hybrid

About The Position

The Associate Category Manager will work on Grainger’s Indirect Procurement team, which manages more than $1 billion in indirect spend across Grainger North America. The position develops sourcing strategies for multiple sub-categories and delivers savings and value through strategic sourcing, including internal and external analysis, cost modeling, negotiations, and contract execution. The role manages assigned sub-categories with total spend under management of $20–100 million and partners with stakeholders to understand short- and long-term needs. It leads global sourcing for pipeline and unplanned projects, monitors supplier and market trends, communicates project updates, identifies process improvements, and carries out buying activities for strategic sourcing events and one-off business requests. The position reports to the Manager, Category Manager. It may be based in Lake Forest, Illinois, or downtown Chicago, on a hybrid schedule of three days per week. Full-time remote candidates will also be considered, with roughly 15% annual travel required.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Business, Supply Chain Management, or a similar field.
At least 3 years of experience in category management, indirect procurement, contract negotiations, or global sourcing.
Experience developing strategies, managing projects, and applying sourcing processes for sub-categories with more than $250,000 in spend.
Experience assessing, managing, and communicating contractual, operational, and financial plans and risks at all levels of an organization.
Experience redlining and negotiating Master Agreements and Addendums.
Experience performing spend and total cost of ownership analysis.

Nice To Haves

CPM certification from the Institute for Supply Management upon hire preferred.
Professional qualification or certification from a related professional organization, such as CPSM or APICS, upon hire preferred.

Responsibilities

Develop and execute sourcing plans for assigned sub-categories with total spend under management of $20–100 million.
Partner with stakeholders to understand short- and long-term needs; analyze spend and specifications to achieve savings and value goals.
Lead global sourcing for pipeline and unplanned projects, using sourcing processes that include spend analysis, total cost of ownership, external market analysis, sourcing strategy, RFX execution, negotiation strategy, and drafting and finalizing contracts with selected suppliers.
Provide regular updates to internal stakeholders on project status and market changes.
Monitor supplier industry trends, validate and benchmark costs, and assess competitive pricing using research and market intelligence tools.
Identify continuous improvement opportunities in procurement processes to increase department efficiency and results.
Execute buying activities related to strategic sourcing events and one-off business requests as required.

Benefits

Medical, dental, vision, and life insurance coverage starting on the first day of employment.
Six free sessions each year with a licensed therapist.
18 paid time off days annually for full-time employees, prorated based on employment start date.
Six company holidays per year.
6% company contribution to a 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan each pay period, with no employee contribution required.
Employee discounts.
Tuition reimbursement.
Student loan refinancing.
Free access to financial counseling, education, and tools.
Maternity support programs and nursing benefits.
Up to 14 weeks of paid leave for birth parents and up to 4 weeks of paid leave for non-birth parents.