Category Manager

ABB•Pinetops, NC

20d•Onsite

About The Position

At ABB, the Category Manager develops, plans, and implements procurement strategies for assigned categories to optimize cost, quality, delivery, and supplier reliability. The role ensures procurement activities are executed in accordance with company, procurement, and supply-base management instructions and procedures, and recommends frame agreements to management for approval and implementation. This onsite position is based at 3022 NC-43 in Pinetops, North Carolina, and contributes to ABB’s Electrification Distribution Solutions Division. The division provides products and solutions for the efficient and reliable distribution, protection, and control of electric power, serving utility, industry, and infrastructure markets.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Engineering, Procurement, or a related field.
At least 5 years of experience in category management, strategic sourcing, procurement, or supply chain roles in a manufacturing environment.
Strong category-strategy development skills, including spend analysis, market assessment, and supplier segmentation.
Supplier-management and negotiation expertise, with demonstrated results in cost savings, contract optimization, and risk mitigation.
Understanding of manufacturing processes, materials, and cost drivers, such as direct materials, MRO, or CAPEX categories.
Experience drafting, reviewing, and enforcing commercial terms and service-level agreements.
Data-driven decision-making skills and proficiency with spend analytics, KPIs, and procurement systems such as ERP, SAP, Oracle, Coupa, or Ariba.
Ability to collaborate cross-functionally with operations, engineering, quality, finance, and suppliers.
Knowledge of local and regional supplier markets, regulations, and compliance requirements relevant to manufacturing.
Excellent communication and stakeholder-management skills, with the ability to influence internal teams and drive local category initiatives.
Must already have work authorization permitting employment with ABB in the United States.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree preferred.

Responsibilities

Ensure relevant parties understand procurement strategies and execute processes accordingly.
Manage planning and tracking of procurement activities, cost budgets, emerging-country spending, and savings forecasts.
Minimize quality and financial exposure by purchasing in accordance with quality and commercial procedures and company guidelines.
Define and establish local standard agreements with major suppliers.
Design and implement cost-out programs and processes to achieve financial targets.
Be accountable for the health and safety of employees and contractors in the teams in scope, and for continual improvement in Health, Safety, and Environment processes and integrity performance.
Promote collaboration across the division, divisions, business areas, and teams to maximize results for ABB.
Provide and maintain standard purchase-contract terms and conditions in line with company directives and guidelines.
Recommend frame agreements to management and execute them upon approval.

Benefits

Choice of two medical plans: a PPO Copay Plan or a High Deductible Plan with a Health Savings Account.
Choice of two dental plans: Core and Core Plus.
Vision benefit.
Company-paid life insurance equal to two times base pay.
Company-paid AD&D insurance equal to one times base pay.
Voluntary life and AD&D insurance, employee-paid up to plan maximums.
Company-paid short-term disability for up to 26 weeks.
Company-paid long-term disability at 60% of pay, with the option to increase coverage to 66 2/3% of pay.
Supplemental employee-paid benefits, including accident insurance, hospital indemnity, critical illness, and pet insurance.
Parental leave of up to six weeks.
Employee Assistance Program.
Health Advocate support for mental and behavioral health, general health navigation, virtual health, and infertility/adoption.
Employee discount program.
401(k) Savings Plan with company contributions.
Employee Stock Acquisition Plan (ESAP).
11 paid holidays.
Salaried exempt positions receive vacation under a permissive time-away policy.