Category Manager

Grain & Protein Technologies•Assumption, IL

2d•Onsite

About The Position

The North America team is seeking an experienced and driven Category Manager for Steel and Metal Fabrication for our North American business. The ideal candidate will join our strategic procurement team to support the delivery of our long-term value creation goal through effective category management, supplier collaboration, and cross-functional leadership of VAVE (Value Analysis/Value Engineering) initiatives.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Supply Chain, or related field (Mechanical, Electrical, Industrial preferred) or equivalent experience required.
Minimum 5–7 years of procurement and sourcing experience, ideally in a manufacturing or industrial environment.
Proven ability to lead cross-functional teams and manage complex projects.
Strong analytical, negotiation, and communication skills.
Experience with category strategy development, supplier evaluation, and risk management.
Familiarity with VAVE methodologies and cost modeling.
Proficiency in procurement systems and tools (e.g., SAP, Excel, Ariba, Power BI).
Strong project management capabilities, including planning, execution, and stakeholder alignment.
Ability to influence and collaborate across functions and levels.
Strategic mindset with attention to operational detail.
High proficiency in data analysis and market intelligence to support sourcing decisions and long-term planning.

Responsibilities

Develop and implement category strategies aligned with business objectives and value targets.
Lead VAVE projects in collaboration with Engineering, Operations, and other cross-functional teams.
Identify and execute cost reduction opportunities through strategic sourcing, supplier development, and process optimization.
Manage supplier relationships, performance, and negotiations to ensure quality, delivery, and cost targets are met.
Conduct market analysis, benchmarking, and risk assessments to inform sourcing decisions.
Evaluate and select vendors based on TCO (Total Cost of Ownership), not just price.
Support early supplier involvement in product development and innovation initiatives.
Execute and manage supplier contracts, ensuring terms are aligned with business needs and compliance requirements.
Act as a change agent, continuously improving existing procurement processes or developing new ones to enhance efficiency, transparency, and value delivery.
Analyze market conditions and trends to anticipate sourcing needs, define next steps and proactively manage category strategies.
Ensure compliance with procurement policies and ethical standards.