Category Manager
About The Position
A highly reputable manufacturing company is looking for an Category Manager to join their team! This role includes a large range of duties including but not limited to global ownership of a defined category, with a strong emphasis on building and executing long-term, 5–10 year category strategies aligned to business objectives. The Category Manager will lead the end-to-end supplier strategy, including evaluating, selecting, developing, consolidating, or exiting suppliers to optimize the global supply base. Acting as the subject matter expert (SME), this individual will provide strategic guidance to internal stakeholders while driving supplier performance across cost, quality, delivery, and innovation. The position requires close cross-functional collaboration with engineering, operations, and leadership teams to ensure alignment and value creation. Additionally, the role focuses on proactively identifying and mitigating supply chain risks, strengthening supplier relationships, and transitioning the organization from reactive firefighting to a more strategic, forward-looking approach to procurement and category management.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree required
- 8+ years of Supply Chain experience required
- 3+ years owning a category
- industry experience required
- 8+ years of total supply chain / procurement experience
- 3+ years of category ownership experience (end-to-end responsibility)
- Proven experience in strategic sourcing (not transactional buying)
- Demonstrated ability to build and execute long-term category strategies
- Strong supplier management and negotiation skills
Nice To Haves
- Masters degree preferred
Responsibilities
- Manage and optimize the global supplier base (selection, development, consolidation, or exit)
- Drive long-term sourcing strategy, cost optimization, and supply continuity
- Serve as the SME for assigned category, advising internal stakeholders
- Lead supplier performance management, including quality, cost, delivery, and innovation
- Partner cross-functionally with engineering, operations, and leadership teams
- Identify and mitigate supply chain risks while building resilience
- Continuously improve supplier relationships and strategic partnerships
Benefits
- Medical, dental & vision
- Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital
- 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available
- Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)
- Short and long-term disability
- Health Spending Account (HSA)
- Transportation benefits
- Employee Assistance Program
- Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
