Category Manager

EOS • Erie, CO

1d

About The Position

The Category Manager is responsible for the strategy and performance of assigned spend categories. The role balances the selection and development of strategic suppliers, contract negotiation, new sourcing projects, supplier relationship management, and cross-functional partnership to deliver cost, service, and risk objectives aligned with business priorities.

The position involves developing category strategies, managing supplier relationships and agreements, ensuring supplier performance and continuity of supply, managing category pricing, optimizing the supply base, and monitoring market conditions and supply-chain capabilities. The Category Manager also develops cost baselines and commodity and inflation forecasts, and fosters collaboration with customers, suppliers, stakeholders, and category team members.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree required.
• Minimum of 5 years' experience.
• Sourcing or purchasing experience in a manufacturing environment, with some knowledge of MRP and inventory replenishment strategies.
• Knowledge of relevant spend categories and their suppliers.
• Ability to influence product design standards and implement process control and quality systems.
• Ability to understand product requirements and offer innovative solutions.
• Ability to influence within a dynamic team and operating environment.
• Strong organizational and follow-up skills.
• Strong analytical, financial, and communication skills.
• Ability to read technical drawings.
• High ethical standards.
• Excellent written, verbal, analytical, negotiating, and interpersonal skills.

Nice To Haves

• Lean Manufacturing, DMF, and/or Six Sigma experience or knowledge.
• Project management experience.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement category strategies aligned with business needs.
• Manage overall supplier relationships and develop road maps with strategic suppliers.
• Negotiate, implement, and monitor compliance with supply agreements; partner with the legal department to develop effective agreements.
• Hold suppliers accountable for continuous improvement in areas including capacity, quality control, risk management, business continuity, cost reduction, and year-over-year value creation.
• Ensure supplier and category strategies support continuity of supply and required technical and operational capabilities.
• Manage pricing, discounts, and rebates for assigned categories and suppliers.
• Rationalize and optimize category supply bases while balancing cost and risk.
• Understand and monitor commodity market conditions and trends, developing technologies, supply-chain capacity and capability, product knowledge, customer requirements, and supply-and-demand challenges.
• Develop cost baselines and commodity and inflation forecasts for assigned spend categories.
• Establish a strong network and foster collaboration with customers, suppliers, key stakeholders, and category team members.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level