Category Lead

KION•Grand Rapids, MI

1d•$70,125 - $102,850

About The Position

The Global Strategic Direct Team at Dematic is looking for a Category Lead to join our winning team. This is an exciting opportunity to develop, communicate and complete world-class category strategies that mitigate risk, ensure top-line growth, and drive bottom-line savings. You will have the opportunity to collaborate with other Procurement Regional Category Leads, Project Management, Engineering, Solutions Development, Finance, A/P, Quality, and others while taking on large, regional spending within our growing organization, positioning Dematic for future success. We offer: Career Development Competitive Compensation and Benefits Pay Transparency Global Opportunities Learn More Here: https://www.dematic.com/en-us/about/careers/what-we-offer Dematic provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training. The base pay range for this role is estimated to be $70,125 to $102,850 at the time of posting. Final compensation will be determined by various factors such as work location, education, experience, knowledge, and skills.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in business, supply chain, engineering, or related field.
5+ years of procurement experience with a focus on category management; CPSM preferred.
Strong leadership, communication, analytical skills, and ability to multitask in a fast‑paced environment.
Proven track record influencing decisions, getting results, and operate with minimal direction.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office and SAP.
Embodies KION values—Integrity, Collaboration, Courage, and Excellence.
Willingness to travel up to 25% and operate with urgency when needed.

Responsibilities

Own, document, communicate, and align category strategies for assigned spend.
Develop and maintain strong, competitive supply sources that meet quality, service, and cost goals.
Lead supplier negotiations using market analysis, sourcing plans, and internally aligned negotiation outcomes.
Drive risk analysis and mitigation planning to prevent and respond quickly to supply interruptions.
Review and provide input on contract terms, pricing, delivery, and other key business requirements.
Apply financial expertise to build cost models, analyze market drivers, and secure competitive pricing and contracts supporting margin targets.
Ensure pricing compliance with master supply agreements and manage cost‑savings initiatives through implementation.
Gather internal voice‑of‑customer feedback to shape category strategies and decisions.
Build competitive supplier panels, mitigate sole/single‑source risks, and monitor supplier financial health.
Conduct strategic supplier business reviews committed to technology, collaboration, and future competitiveness.