Category Manager – Indirect Procurement & MRO

Tarter Gate Company, LLC•Dunnville, KY

3d•$90,000 - $120,000•Hybrid

About The Position

The Category Manager – Indirect Procurement & MRO is responsible for developing and executing strategic sourcing strategies that optimize cost, quality, service, supplier performance, and operational efficiency across assigned indirect procurement categories. This position has primary responsibility for Maintenance, Repair, and Operations (MRO) categories and supports the organization’s indirect spend strategy across multiple manufacturing facilities. The Category Manager partners closely with Operations, Maintenance, Engineering, Finance, Plant Leadership, and other stakeholders to ensure reliable access to critical materials and services while driving cost savings, supplier consolidation, inventory optimization, standardization, and continuous improvement. The role requires strong strategic sourcing, negotiation, analytical, supplier relationship management, and project management capabilities within a complex manufacturing environment.

Requirements

Minimum 5 years of strategic sourcing, category management, or procurement experience in a manufacturing environment.
Strong experience managing indirect procurement and MRO 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.
Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Procurement, Business Administration, Finance, Engineering, or a related field required.
Comprehensive knowledge of strategic sourcing, category management, indirect procurement, MRO procurement, supplier relationship management, contract management, Vendor Managed Inventory (VMI), Total Cost of Ownership (TCO), spend analysis, supplier performance management, inventory optimization, manufacturing operations, maintenance operations, supply chain principles, competitive bidding, negotiation strategies, and ERP and procurement systems.
Demonstrated ability to negotiate complex commercial agreements.
Develop strategic sourcing and category strategies.
Analyze spend and financial data.
Build strategic supplier relationships.
Lead supplier negotiations and competitive bidding.
Deliver measurable cost savings.
Develop supplier scorecards and performance metrics.
Lead cross-functional projects.
Influence stakeholders without direct authority.
Communicate effectively with suppliers, plant leaders, and executives.
Manage multiple sourcing projects simultaneously.
Think strategically while executing tactical procurement activities.
Balance cost, quality, service, availability, and operational risk.
Analyze complex data and develop sound recommendations.
Negotiate effectively in high-value commercial situations.
Build collaborative relationships across multiple business functions.
Manage difficult supplier conversations and performance issues.
Travel to supplier and company locations as required.
Work independently with minimal supervision.
Make sound 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 capital projects, facility expansions, or major operational initiatives.

Responsibilities

Develop and execute strategic sourcing strategies for assigned indirect and MRO categories.
Identify and implement cost savings and cost avoidance initiatives.
Lead supplier consolidation, rationalization, and standardization initiatives.
Establish and manage Vendor Managed Inventory (VMI) programs.
Negotiate contracts, pricing, rebates, and service agreements.
Analyze spend, supplier performance, market conditions, and procurement trends.
Lead sourcing projects and support capital, facility, and operational initiatives.
Develop and execute strategic sourcing initiatives for assigned indirect and MRO categories.
Establish category strategies aligned with company cost, quality, service, and operational objectives.
Develop sourcing plans based on spend, supplier capabilities, business requirements, and market conditions.
Identify opportunities to consolidate spend and leverage enterprise-wide purchasing volume.
Develop preferred supplier strategies for key indirect categories.
Monitor market trends and supplier capabilities to identify opportunities and risks.
Ensure sourcing strategies support plant and operational requirements.
Identify and implement cost savings and cost avoidance opportunities utilizing strategic negotiations, competitive bidding, supplier rationalization, value engineering, standardization, Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) analysis, and volume leverage.
Analyze spend and pricing trends to identify cost reduction opportunities.
Develop annual cost savings objectives for assigned categories.
Track and validate realized savings in partnership with Finance.
Identify opportunities to reduce freight, inventory, transaction, and other procurement-related costs.
Lead supplier consolidation initiatives to reduce supply base complexity.
Identify opportunities to standardize MRO products, parts, materials, and services across facilities.
Partner with Maintenance, Engineering, and Operations to reduce part proliferation.
Develop preferred supplier and catalog strategies.
Leverage enterprise-wide purchasing opportunities.
Ensure supplier consolidation maintains or improves quality, service, availability, and pricing.
Establish, implement, and manage Vendor Managed Inventory programs.
Identify appropriate MRO categories and suppliers for VMI implementation.
Establish inventory levels, replenishment requirements, and service expectations.
Partner with suppliers and plant teams to ensure appropriate inventory availability.
Monitor VMI performance and supplier compliance.
Reduce inventory carrying costs while maintaining availability of critical materials.
Develop and track VMI performance metrics.
Negotiate pricing, contracts, service agreements, rebates, and long-term supply agreements.
Manage commercial relationships with strategic suppliers.
Ensure contracts support company requirements and business objectives.
Monitor supplier contract compliance.
Identify opportunities to improve pricing, payment terms, warranties, service levels, and other commercial conditions.
Partner with Legal and Finance on significant supplier agreements.
Maintain accurate supplier and contract documentation.
Develop strong strategic relationships with key suppliers.
Establish supplier performance expectations and KPIs.
Manage supplier scorecards and business reviews.
Monitor supplier performance related to cost, quality, delivery, availability, responsiveness, and service.
Address supplier performance issues and establish corrective action plans.
Partner with Operations and Maintenance to resolve critical supply issues.
Analyze organizational spend across assigned indirect and MRO categories.
Identify spending trends, sourcing opportunities, and contract compliance issues.
Analyze supplier concentration and purchasing patterns.
Monitor purchase price variance and market pricing.
Develop category spend reports and dashboards.
Provide data-driven recommendations to Procurement and business leadership.
Track cost savings, cost avoidance, and procurement performance.
Lead Request for Proposal (RFP), Request for Quote (RFQ), and Request for Information (RFI) processes.
Develop sourcing requirements in partnership with internal stakeholders.
Evaluate supplier proposals based on cost, quality, service, capability, and risk.
Lead supplier negotiations.
Develop sourcing recommendations for leadership approval.
Maintain documentation supporting sourcing decisions.
Support new facility, equipment, expansion, and capital projects.
Source required indirect materials, MRO products, equipment, and services.
Partner with Maintenance, Engineering, Operations, and Finance to develop sourcing strategies.
Identify qualified suppliers and competitive alternatives.
Support project timelines and budgets through effective procurement planning.