Category Manager

Gerdau•Midlothian, TX

About The Position

The Category Manager coordinates and manages the strategic procurement process for assigned categories to ensure the cost-effective acquisition of Internal Industrial Services for Gerdau North America. The role develops and executes procurement strategies, manages bids and negotiations, supports team-based supplier selection and development, and manages contracts. The position reports directly to the Manager, Commodities, and Service Corp for the assigned area of responsibility, such as Production Materials, MRO, Services, or CAPEX. The role leads category strategies at global and national levels, using market and business intelligence and engaging internal customers to understand operational impacts. It gathers supplier and market intelligence to support decision-making, negotiation planning, and supply-chain risk reduction. The Category Manager also manages supplier agreements and performance, identifies cost and continuous-improvement opportunities, supports cross-functional procurement and operations teams, and helps develop procurement policies, procedures, and training.

Requirements

Four-year degree in Engineering or Business Administration.
3–5 years of procurement experience, with exposure to an industrial or manufacturing environment.
Experience in project management, strategic planning, performance management, contract negotiations, and cross-functional teamwork.
Experience with global sourcing initiatives and leading cross-functional teams.
SAP knowledge.
Working knowledge of contemporary procurement processes.
Interpersonal and communication skills to interact effectively with all levels of management.
Strong analytical and computer skills, including the MS Office Suite.
Ability to travel up to 15% of the time.

Nice To Haves

Professional certification in Procurement or Supply Chain Management.

Responsibilities

Lead development of procurement strategies for assigned categories at global and national levels, ensuring cost-effective results and ethical procurement practices.
Analyze category market attributes, including supplier availability, competitiveness, logistics, technology, criticality, market complexity, and alternative products.
Engage internal customers to understand each category’s impact on operations and use market and business intelligence to develop procurement strategies.
Gather and maintain supplier and market intelligence, including financial performance, business activities, negotiation history, cost drivers, and supplier performance.
Negotiate, develop, and manage supply agreements for assigned categories.
Lead development of Requests for Quotations and Requests for Proposals; manage competitive bidding, analyze bids, and develop negotiation strategies.
Identify cost-reduction opportunities through negotiation strategies and product alternatives.
Ensure contracts are accurately initiated and maintained, including price, specifications, lead time, and incoterms.
Execute supplier performance evaluation and development with key stakeholders, monitor performance, and meet with suppliers to improve performance or capabilities.
Work with stakeholders to identify, plan, and execute continuous-improvement opportunities that decrease total cost of ownership.
Meet annually with key stakeholders to identify procurement-related continuous-improvement opportunities and facilitate supplier participation in action plans.
Stay engaged with business activities by attending routine stakeholder meetings and responding promptly to internal customer needs.
Participate in and facilitate cross-functional procurement and operations teams.
Carry out company procurement policies, standards, and ethical practices to ensure fair, effective, and competitive sourcing.
Assist in developing policies and procedures for the service delivery model and strategic procurement process, and train procurement staff and non-procurement personnel.
Under the direction of senior procurement personnel, work with local and regional procurement and operations personnel to implement inventory policies for assigned categories.

Benefits

Competitive compensation with annual STI bonuses.
Medical, prescription, dental, and vision plans, eligible upon the first day of hire.
Health and dependent care flexible spending account.
100% 401(k) matching up to 6%.
Life and accidental life insurance.
Annual bonus.
Health Advocate Services.
Employee Assistance Program.
Tuition reimbursement program.
Career Path System and training.
An empowering and open culture with opportunities to grow and create.