Category Manager

Alliance Laundry System • Ripon, WI

3d • Onsite

About The Position

We are seeking a resourceful Indirect Sourcing Category Manager to join our team. In this role, you’ll oversee the sourcing and purchase of indirect goods and services (e.g., facilities, MRO, IT, professional services), optimize our spend and vendor strategy, and liaise with suppliers to ensure continuity of support for our operations. You will also ensure that project-approved budgets and cost‑savings targets are met. To ensure success as an Indirect Sourcing Category Manager, you should have strong business acumen and excellent knowledge of indirect sourcing and best practices. Ultimately, a top-notch indirect sourcing professional should be able to effectively manage supplier performance and market risks to help the business achieve its cost, quality, and service objectives.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in supply chain management, business, finance, or a related field.
• At least four years’ experience in procurement, strategic sourcing, or category management, preferably in indirect categories.
• Solid understanding of sourcing methodologies, contract management, and supplier relationship management.
• Experience working with procurement/sourcing systems or e-sourcing tools (e.g., ERP, P2P, contract management platforms).
• Strong negotiation skills and the ability to communicate effectively with vendors, service providers, and internal stakeholders.
• Advanced analytical skills, including spend analysis and total cost of ownership evaluation.
• Strong leadership skills and the ability to work effectively with cross-functional teams and support personnel from various departments.

Responsibilities

• Managing the company’s indirect spend by sourcing, reviewing, and purchasing indirect goods and services.
• Developing and updating category and sourcing strategies to reduce total cost of ownership and improve service levels.
• Evaluating, selecting, and recommending new indirect vendors and service providers to management.
• Leading RFx (RFI/RFP/RFQ) processes and negotiating favorable pricing, terms, and service levels to maximize value.
• Building and maintaining strong relationships with key suppliers and internal stakeholders.
• Monitoring market trends and benchmarking to identify risks, opportunities, and cost‑reduction initiatives across indirect categories.
• Ensuring that project‑approved budgets, savings, and compliance targets are adhered to.
• Overseeing the preparation and review of contracts, statements of work, and purchase orders for indirect spend.
• Resolving vendor performance issues, service disputes, and any sourcing‑related escalations.

What This Job Offers

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