Category Manager – MRO

Ingevity•North Charleston, SC

1d•Onsite

About The Position

We are seeking a strategic, results-driven Category Manager – Maintenance, Repair & Operations (MRO) to lead global sourcing and category management activities across MRO spend categories. This role is responsible for developing and executing category strategies that optimize total cost of ownership, ensure supply continuity, mitigate risk, advance sustainability objectives, and create measurable value for the organization. As part of the Global Procurement organization, this individual contributor role will manage the end-to-end sourcing lifecycle, including category strategy development, supplier relationship management, procurement, contract negotiations, risk management, and supplier performance. The position works closely with Manufacturing, Operations, Engineering, Sustainability, Finance, Legal, and Supply Chain partners to deliver business objectives and support operational excellence globally.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management or Business or an equivalent combination of education, training and relevant work experience.
Minimum 5+ years of strategic sourcing, procurement, category management, supply chain, or related experience.
Minimum 2+ years managing MRO, Facilities, Utilities, or Industrial Services categories in a global manufacturing or industrial environment.
Demonstrated experience leading complex, cross-functional sourcing initiatives with measurable financial results.
Experience negotiating multi-million-dollar contracts and long-term supplier agreements.
Proven success developing and implementing category strategies in mature procurement organizations.
Strong knowledge of MRO categories, industrial supply chains, maintenance operations, and supplier management practices.
Expertise in category management, strategic sourcing, supplier relationship management, and contract negotiations.
Strong analytical capabilities with experience utilizing spend analytics, market intelligence, financial analysis, and business case development.
Knowledge of risk management principles and supply chain resiliency strategies.
Excellent verbal, written, presentation, and stakeholder-management skills.
Ability to influence and collaborate effectively across all levels of the organization.
Commitment to safety, integrity, compliance, sustainability, and continuous improvement.

Nice To Haves

MBA and/or CPM/CPSM preferred.
Project management experience preferred.
Experience utilizing SAP, Ariba, Coupa, or other Source-to-Pay and ERP platforms.
Strong proficiency in Excel, Power BI, spend analytics tools, and procurement systems.
Ability to travel up to 10% globally as required for supplier meetings, audits, plant support, and sourcing initiatives.
Ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment while managing multiple priorities and stakeholder expectations.

Responsibilities

Own and manage global spend categories within MRO, including development and execution of multi-year category strategies aligned to business objectives.
Lead cross-functional sourcing initiatives to deliver cost savings, process improvements, risk mitigation, supply assurance, and sustainability outcomes.
Analyze market intelligence, industry trends, supplier capabilities, and internal demand requirements to create data-driven sourcing strategies.
Develop business cases and recommendations for senior leadership approval and stakeholder alignment.
Drive continuous improvement initiatives that optimize procurement processes and category performance.
Lead global category management and sourcing activities for MRO spend, including industrial supplies, maintenance services, safety equipment, laboratory supplies, machine parts, bearings, motors, electrical components, instrumentation, gases, and related operational materials.
Develop sourcing strategies that improve supplier performance, increase standardization, and optimize inventory management.
Support critical operational requirements by ensuring continuity of supply for key maintenance and operational materials.
Collaborate with plant operations and maintenance teams to identify opportunities for cost reduction, reliability improvements, and supplier consolidation.
Resolve supplier performance issues, quality concerns, claims, and nonconformance matters to minimize business risk.
Develop and manage strategic supplier relationships across MRO categories.
Establish supplier scorecards, KPIs, and governance processes to drive continuous improvement and value creation.
Conduct supplier business reviews focused on performance, innovation, sustainability, risk management, and cost competitiveness.
Identify and implement supplier development opportunities that improve quality, service, operational performance, and business outcomes.
Lead supplier qualification, evaluation, and audit activities as required.
Lead complex commercial negotiations for global, regional, and site-level agreements.
Develop negotiation strategies that maximize value while mitigating operational, financial, legal, and supply chain risks.
Manage the full contract lifecycle including bidder prequalification, bid solicitation, evaluation, contract execution, administration, and closeout.
Assess market risk, supplier risk, regulatory risk, and geopolitical impacts affecting MRO categories and develop mitigation plans accordingly.
Negotiate commercial terms and conditions while partnering with Legal to protect organizational interests.
Serve as a trusted business partner to Operations, Manufacturing, Engineering, Sustainability, Supply Chain, Finance, and executive leadership.
Influence stakeholders through data-driven insights, market expertise, and strong business acumen.
Present sourcing strategies, supplier recommendations, and business cases to senior leadership.
Promote industry best practices and innovative procurement solutions across the organization.