Category Manager I

Indotronix International Corporation•Louisville, KY

4d•Hybrid

About The Position

This position is hybrid and can be located in Louisville, KY or Allentown, PA. The role is contract-heavy and not a buyer position. Experience with Microsoft Office, including tracking changes and redlining, is required. Experience negotiating contracts, particularly IT contracts, is helpful. The candidate must be able to understand negotiating language. The Category Manager I will develop negotiation strategies and company positions on complex, multi-million dollar contracts, working with the Office of General Counsel to ensure appropriate commercial protection and conducting negotiations for optimal business results. This includes performing market and financial analysis to assess supplier/contract risk, mitigating risk through hedges, performance bonds, or parental guarantees, and analyzing/developing company positions on claims and disputes. The role manages the supply chain process from specification to contract administration and investment recovery, evaluating supply sources, developing pricing methodologies, and determining strategic supply chain models for maximum savings. It also involves identifying new supply sources and technologies, establishing ethical supplier relationships, and supporting complex capital projects by developing contracting strategies and managing contract performance. The Category Manager I will be the corporate expert for their assigned category, understanding market drivers, suppliers, technologies, regulations, and category spend. They will exhibit ownership of the entire supply chain for their category and act as the primary liaison to suppliers. Physical presence in the office is required three days per week for face-to-face interaction. Other duties and projects will be assigned.

Requirements

Experience with Microsoft Office tracking changes and red lining.
Redlining experience a requirement.
Experience negotiating contracts.
Able to understand negotiating language.
Bachelor's degree in business, engineering, supply chain, or related field or 5 years related experience.
Minimum of 2 years of logistics, materials, or services buying experience.
Supply Chain and market knowledge of products, equipment, and services.
Basic knowledge of business law, commercial terms and conditions, and related legal issues.

Nice To Haves

IT contracts will be helpful.
Certified Purchasing Manager (C.P.M) or Certified Professional in Supply Management (C.P.S.M). or other Supply Chain Certification.
Background in Lean, Six Sigma, or similar process improvement models.
Strong negotiation and analytical skills.
Effective written, oral, and interpersonal communication skills.
Knowledge of Microsoft Office applications and databases.
Demonstrated problem-assessment and problem-solving skills.
Strong customer service focus supporting an operating company, with ability to build credibility with internal clients and external suppliers.
Proven project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.

Responsibilities

Develop negotiation strategies and company positions on complex (multi-million dollar) contracts.
Work with Office of General Counsel to identify and incorporate appropriate levels of commercial protection.
Conduct negotiations to achieve the optimal business results for the company.
Perform market analysis and financial analysis to determine business risk associated with a supplier or contract.
Mitigate risk as necessary by using hedges for foreign currency, pursuing performance and payment bonds, or obtaining parental guarantees.
Analyze and develop company position on claims and disputes and subsequently consult with senior management to resolve/negotiate claims and disputes associated with complex procurements.
Manage the supply chain process from specification/definition of need through contract administration and investment recovery.
Evaluate sources of supply and develop optimal pricing methodology, warranty, and product/service performance requirements.
Determine and utilize the most strategic supply chain model to acquire the necessary products and services at the maximum level of savings.
Identify new sources of supply and potentially acceptable new products/technologies.
Establish/maintain professional relationships with suppliers/partners based on the highest ethical business practices.
Support complex capital projects (such as software, Software as a Service, Hardware or Services) by working with the project management team to develop the contracting strategy, project plan, identify required resources, acquire necessary products and services, and manage contract performance.
Be the corporate expert for assigned category, and know the market drivers, supplier base, emerging technologies, regulatory factors, category spend by supplier, inventory, supplier, and fill rate performance.
Exhibit ownership of the entire supply chain for assigned category from cradle to grave.
Acts as primary liaison to suppliers within assigned category.
Physical presence in the office/on-site to engage in face-to-face interaction and coordination of work among clients, suppliers and co-workers is required 3 days per week.
All other duties and projects as assigned.