Category Manager Contractor Services - Decatur, IL

Archer Daniels Midland • Decatur, IL

1d

About The Position

Category Manager Contractor Services - Decatur, IL This is an exempt level position. Position Summary: The Category Manager – MRO Services plays a critical role in developing and executing sourcing strategies for Maintenance, Repair, and Operations (MRO) services. This role is accountable for managing high-value service categories—including contractor labor, facilities services, logistics, and engineering services—across assigned regions or business units. A primary focus of this role is the strategic management of contractor labor categories, including time-and-materials (T&M) rate structures, per diem models, and other variable labor arrangements. The Category Manager partners closely with Operations, EHS, Legal, HR, and Finance to align procurement strategies with operational, safety, and financial objectives. It requires strong leadership, influencing capability, and ownership for delivering measurable value, ensuring contract compliance, and driving supplier performance. The ideal candidate brings hands-on experience negotiating and managing contractor labor agreements, with a strong understanding of labor rate structures, governance, compliance requirements, and performance management.

Requirements

• Understanding of fixed and cost-plus labor rate structures
• Commercial skills and familiarity with contract law
• Competent in financial analysis
• Customer solutions focused
• Proven negotiations skills
• Skilled in cost/benefit analysis and alternative decision making
• Technology adept (eProcurement and P2P systems, standard Office Suite such as Excel, Word, and Power Point)
• Capacity to develop advanced strategies
• Ability to manage multiple projects and tasks efficiently
• Global awareness (culture, currencies, geography, political)
• Ability to influence and lead outcome
• Forward, visionary thinker
• Skilled at relationship management, with internal and external partners
• Strong commercial and contractual negotiation skills, particularly in service-based agreements.
• Ability to lead and supervise cross-functional, project-based teams to deliver on complex procurement goals.
• Comfortable working independently in a global, matrixed environment with shifting priorities.
• Minimum of a Bachelor’s degree in Business, Finance, or related field is required
• Minimum of eight (8) years professional work experience with four (4) years in purchasing for global companies
• In-depth understanding of various contracting models is strongly desired

Nice To Haves

• MBA is preferred.
• Certified Professional of Supply Management (CPSM) certification a plus.

Responsibilities

• Lead regional and global sourcing strategies for assigned MRO service categories, focusing on contractor labor services.
• Collaborate with operations, finance, safety, and compliance teams to align category strategy with operational goals.
• Manage total cost of ownership (TCO) by optimizing pricing, contractual terms, and demand planning efforts.
• Serve as the primary negotiator for contractor labor agreements, including MSAs, rate cards, and service-level agreements, with a focus on optimizing labor costs and terms.
• Support the development and use of digital procurement tools such as e-sourcing and contractor timekeeping systems.
• Analyze supplier proposals, market benchmarks, and internal data to drive informed sourcing decisions.
• Establish and manage supplier performance metrics, scorecards, and quarterly business reviews.
• Drive process improvements, cost-saving initiatives, and risk mitigation strategies within assigned categories.
• Ensure all sourcing activities comply with legal, safety, operational, and internal policy requirements.
• Build and maintain positive, professional relationships with key suppliers and internal stakeholders.
• Communicate sourcing progress, results, and value creation to executive leadership and cross-functional partners.
• Support the creation and maintenance of standardized contract terms and governance frameworks in partnership with Legal and Procurement Operations.

Benefits

• competitive pay
• medical/Rx, dental, vision and on-site wellness center access or gym reimbursement (as applicable)
• flexible spending accounts, health savings account, 401(k) with matching contributions and cash balance plan, discounted employee stock purchasing program, life insurance, disability, workers’ compensation, legal assistance, identity theft protection
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP), Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) and Colleague Giving Programs (ADM Cares)
• Paid time off including paid holidays.
• Adoption assistance and paid maternity and parental leave.
• Tuition assistance.
• Company-sponsored training and development resources, such as LinkedIn Learning, language training and mentoring programs.

What This Job Offers

• Career Level: Mid Level
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees