Category Manager - Channel & Directed Spend

Vallen Distribution Inc.•Belmont, NC

About The Position

The Category Manager – Channel & Directed Spend is responsible for owning and executing category strategies across assigned product categories, with a strong emphasis on Channel and Directed spend optimization, supplier value capture, and profitable growth. This role leads fact-based negotiations, drives early quick-win savings opportunities, and partners closely with Sales, Integrated Supply, Sourcing, Finance, and Operations to optimize assortment, pricing, and supplier performance. The Category Manager plays a critical role in eliminating low-value spend, consolidating volume with strategic partners, and delivering measurable margin and cost improvements.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Business, Supply Chain, Finance, Marketing, or related field.
2–4 years of experience in category management, sourcing, procurement, or commercial roles, preferably in B2B or industrial distribution environments.
Demonstrated experience leading supplier negotiations and delivering measurable cost, margin, or pricing improvements.
Strong analytical and financial skills; ability to work comfortably with spend data, pricing analysis, and business cases.
Ability to manage multiple initiatives simultaneously and execute with speed and discipline.
Strong communication and stakeholder management skills across commercial, operational, and finance teams.
Experience with ERP systems and analytics tools (Excel required; Power BI/Tableau a plus).

Responsibilities

Category Strategy & Execution: Develop and execute category plans aligned to enterprise objectives, including assortment optimization, pricing actions, and supplier strategies.
Channel Spend & Value Capture: Identify, prioritize, and execute low-hanging savings opportunities (pricing gaps, rebates, volume leverage, SKU rationalization) to drive near-term and sustained run-rate impact.
Supplier Negotiations: Lead data-driven supplier negotiations using structured fact packs and line-review methodologies; quantify, secure, and track commercial outcomes.
Supplier Management: Own strategic supplier relationships, performance reviews, cost reduction initiatives, and continuous improvement efforts.
Analytics & Fact-Based Decision Making: Analyze Category and Supplier level sales to identify opportunities, build business cases, and support negotiations and category decisions.
Spend Consolidation: Partner with Integrated Supply and Industrial teams to eliminate tail suppliers, redirect volume, and ensure smooth execution of supplier transitions.
Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work closely with Sales, Finance, Operations, IT, and Marketing to ensure category initiatives are executed effectively and aligned with customer needs.
Market & Competitive Insights: Monitor market pricing, competitor behavior, and product alternatives to strengthen negotiation leverage and category positioning.
Performance Tracking & Governance: Track savings realization, run-rate impact, and in-year benefits; ensure results are documented and sustained.
Other duties as assigned by departmental leadership.

Benefits

Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance for Single, Employee + Spouse or Children, and Family Coverage
401(k) with discretionary company match of $0.50 on the $1.00 up to 6% of pay (U.S. positions only)
Employer-paid Basic Life Insurance for Employee, Spouse, and Dependents
Employer-paid Short-Term and Long-Term Disability Benefits and Parental Leave (and any leave required under federal, state, and local laws)
Health Care and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts
Paid Time Off (Vacation and Sick Days): 80–160 hours of vacation time based on seniority, accrued monthly and prorated from date of hire. 40–56 hours of sick time per year based on seniority and advanced upon hire.
Paid Time Off (Holidays): 8 scheduled holidays plus 2 floating holidays
Employee Assistance Program
Employee Resource Groups for networking and team building
Tuition Reimbursement Program
Employee Referral Program
Safety shoe and safety glasses reimbursement (based on position)
Employee discounts through BenefitHub
Advancement opportunities
Vallen complies with all minimum wage laws