Procurement Category Manager – Direct Component/Hardware

Tarter Gate Company, LLC•Dunnville, KY

21h•$53,100 - $90,000•Hybrid

About The Position

The Category Manager – Direct Component & Hardware Procurement is responsible for developing and executing strategic sourcing strategies that optimize cost, quality, service, supply continuity, and supplier performance across assigned direct material categories. This position focuses on externally manufactured components designed by the company and hardware sourced from OEM manufacturers. The Category Manager partners closely with Operations, Engineering, Maintenance, Quality, Finance, and Plant Leadership to ensure uninterrupted material supply while driving continuous cost improvement, supplier consolidation, inventory optimization, and total cost of ownership reductions. The role requires strong commercial acumen, supplier relationship management, analytical capabilities, and the ability to influence cross-functional stakeholders in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

Requirements

Minimum 5 years of strategic sourcing, category management, or procurement experience in a manufacturing environment.
Strong experience managing direct component procurement and hardware categories.
Proven track record of delivering measurable cost savings and supplier performance improvements.
Experience implementing and managing Vendor Managed Inventory (VMI) programs.
Strong contract negotiation and supplier relationship management experience.
Experience with ERP systems such as SAP, Oracle, JD Edwards, Microsoft Dynamics, or equivalent.
Advanced analytical skills with proficiency in Microsoft Excel and spend analysis tools.
Experience with contract management.
Comprehensive knowledge of strategic sourcing, category management, direct material procurement, component and hardware sourcing, supplier relationship management, contract management, Vendor Managed Inventory (VMI), Total Cost of Ownership (TCO), spend analysis, supplier performance management, inventory optimization, manufacturing operations, supply chain principles, competitive bidding, negotiation strategies, and ERP and procurement systems.
Demonstrated ability to negotiate complex commercial agreements.
Demonstrated ability to develop strategic sourcing strategies.
Demonstrated ability to analyze spend and financial data.
Demonstrated ability to build and maintain strategic supplier relationships.
Demonstrated ability to lead supplier negotiations and competitive bidding events.
Demonstrated ability to identify and deliver measurable cost savings.
Demonstrated ability to develop supplier scorecards and performance metrics.
Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional projects.
Demonstrated ability to influence stakeholders without direct authority.
Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively with suppliers, plant leadership, and executives.
Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities and projects simultaneously.
Ability to think strategically while executing tactical procurement activities.
Ability to analyze complex data and make sound business recommendations.
Ability to negotiate effectively in high-value commercial situations.
Ability to balance cost, quality, service, capacity, and supply risk.
Ability to build collaborative relationships across multiple business functions.
Ability to manage supplier performance and difficult supplier conversations.
Ability to travel to supplier and company locations as required.
Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
Ability to make decisions in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

Nice To Haves

Certified Professional in Supply Management (CPSM).
Certified Purchasing Manager (CPM).
APICS/ASCM Certified Supply Chain Professional (CSCP).
Lean Manufacturing or Six Sigma experience.
Experience supporting multiple manufacturing facilities.
Knowledge of inventory optimization and supply chain best practices.
Experience with Business Process Outsourcing (BPO).
Experience supporting acquisitions, facility expansions, or major capital projects.

Responsibilities

Develop and execute strategic sourcing strategies for assigned direct material categories.
Lead cost reduction, supplier negotiation, and total cost of ownership initiatives.
Manage supplier relationships, performance, contracts, and business reviews.
Lead supplier consolidation and Vendor Managed Inventory (VMI) initiatives.
Analyze spend, market conditions, and supplier performance to identify opportunities.
Lead RFP, RFQ, and RFI processes.
Support new facilities, equipment, capital projects, and other strategic procurement initiatives.
Develop and execute strategic sourcing plans for assigned categories.
Establish category strategies aligned with company cost, quality, service, and operational objectives.
Identify opportunities for supplier consolidation and rationalization.
Evaluate sourcing alternatives based on cost, quality, capacity, lead time, risk, and service.
Develop competitive sourcing strategies to improve supplier performance and reduce total cost.
Monitor market conditions, commodity trends, and supplier capabilities.
Develop long-term sourcing strategies that support business growth and operational requirements.
Identify and implement cost-saving and cost-avoidance opportunities.
Utilize strategic negotiations, competitive bidding, supplier rationalization, value engineering, should-cost analysis, Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) analysis, and standardization.
Analyze purchase price variance and market pricing trends.
Develop annual cost reduction objectives and initiatives.
Track and validate realized savings in partnership with Finance.
Identify opportunities to reduce freight, inventory, quality, and other supply-related costs.
Establish and maintain strong strategic relationships with key suppliers.
Develop supplier performance expectations and KPIs.
Lead supplier scorecards and business reviews.
Monitor supplier performance related to quality, delivery, cost, capacity, responsiveness, and service.
Develop corrective action plans for underperforming suppliers.
Partner with Quality and Operations to resolve supplier performance issues.
Evaluate supplier financial, operational, and capacity risks.
Establish, implement, and manage Vendor Managed Inventory programs.
Identify categories and suppliers appropriate for VMI.
Develop inventory parameters and replenishment expectations.
Partner with suppliers and plant teams to establish appropriate stocking levels.
Monitor VMI performance and material availability.
Reduce inventory carrying costs while maintaining production continuity.
Establish KPIs to measure VMI effectiveness.
Lead supplier consolidation initiatives to reduce supply base complexity.
Identify opportunities to standardize components and hardware across facilities.
Partner with Engineering, Maintenance, and Operations to reduce part proliferation.
Evaluate opportunities to leverage enterprise-wide purchasing volumes.
Develop preferred supplier strategies.
Ensure supplier consolidation does not negatively impact quality, service, capacity, or supply continuity.
Negotiate pricing, contracts, rebates, service agreements, and long-term supply agreements.
Maintain commercial terms for assigned suppliers.
Ensure contract requirements are clearly documented and communicated.
Monitor contract compliance.
Identify opportunities to improve commercial terms.
Partner with Legal and Finance on significant supplier agreements.
Maintain accurate contract and supplier documentation.
Lead competitive bidding processes for assigned categories.
Develop RFQs, RFPs, and RFIs based on business requirements.
Evaluate supplier proposals based on total cost, quality, service, capacity, and risk.
Develop sourcing recommendations for leadership approval.
Coordinate supplier negotiations and final selection.
Maintain documentation supporting sourcing decisions.
Analyze spend data to identify sourcing opportunities.
Monitor spending trends and supplier concentration.
Identify contract compliance issues.
Analyze purchase price variance and cost trends.
Develop category spend reports and dashboards.
Track savings, cost avoidance, and procurement performance.
Provide data-driven recommendations to Procurement and executive leadership.
Support new facility, equipment, expansion, and capital projects.
Source required components, equipment, materials, and services.
Partner with Engineering, Operations, Maintenance, and Finance to develop procurement strategies.
Identify qualified suppliers and competitive sourcing opportunities.
Ensure sourcing activities support project timing and budget requirements.