Category Manager GCF – Manufacturing Services

Global Cellulose Fibers•Memphis, TN

3d•Onsite

About The Position

The Category Manager is responsible for procuring manufacturing services needed to support manufacturing facility maintenance and operations. The position may also include MRO categories and some capital purchasing, with engagements typically involving purchases greater than $1,000,000. The role uses the Strategic Sourcing process to increase value to Global Cellulose Fibers (GCF), including procurement strategy development, negotiations, advanced analytical tools, contract management, warranty enforcement, and ongoing supplier management. Assignments may involve any GCF facility and may be performed as a lead or team member. The role leads relationships with strategic suppliers, and travel may be required depending on project demands. The Category Manager leads sourcing events and teams, develops strategies to reduce cost and create value, and works with suppliers and stakeholders to reduce life-cycle cost and total cost of ownership. The role also supports governance of facility purchases and supplier issues, authorizes certain purchase decisions, manages assigned renewable contracts, and contributes to continuous improvement. Global Cellulose Fibers helps customers transform renewable cellulose fibers into everyday products and sustainable raw materials. The company reported $2.8 billion in revenue in 2024 and has 3,300 employees globally, nine manufacturing facilities, and eight regional offices.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree required.
At least 5 years of work experience.
Demonstrated leadership, technical aptitude, strategic thinking, communication, and analytical skills.
Understanding of business and financial fundamentals.
Ability to work independently and as a team member, including the ability to stand alone when necessary.
Strong customer focus for collaborating and interfacing with stakeholders.
Good PC skills for accessing financial data, analyzing alternatives, and preparing presentations.
Ability to work in a global environment with multinational teams and customers.
Skills in negotiating, driving results, prioritization, timely decision-making, decision quality, dealing with ambiguity, managerial courage, planning, business acumen, conflict management, team building, customer focus, process management, presentations, problem solving, interpersonal skills, and functional/technical work.

Nice To Haves

Experience with manufacturing facilities, industry, extended purchasing, or capital projects is preferred.
Knowledge of purchasing policies and procedures and the legal aspects of purchasing is desirable.

Responsibilities

Achieve targeted cost reductions through the Strategic Sourcing process, technology assessment, bidder selection, buying strategies, negotiations, and value-based decision-making.
Act as Lead Buyer and Team Leader for sourcing event activities for Manufacturing Services Categories.
Develop and use sourcing strategies that deliver cost reductions and value creation.
Engage and facilitate diverse teams, including mill stakeholders, assistant buyers, financial analysts, the Global Sourcing COE, and subject matter experts.
Work with key suppliers to identify improvements to operations, processes, or procedures that reduce life-cycle cost and total cost of ownership.
Ensure procurement standards and policies are followed with key stakeholders.
Collaborate with Regional Engineering Offices, Facility Sourcing professionals and Engineers, consulting engineers, and Technology.
Provide strategies and advice on facility purchases and supplier issues, identify supplier contacts, support evaluations, and help resolve problems.
Authorize purchase decisions above facility authority levels, including overseeing bid selection.
Lead and participate in continuous-improvement activities using Manufacturing Excellence tools, identifying opportunities, and communicating with stakeholders.
Oversee assigned renewable contracts, including category-based and single-facility contracts.
Renew contracts on time; develop effective category strategies; maintain supply options and supplier relationships; support supplier development, total-cost-of-ownership reduction, KPI tracking, and dispute settlement; and resolve performance disputes and contract issues fairly and promptly.