Category Manager

MBI - Malibu Boats, Inc•Loudon, TN

43d•Onsite

About The Position

The Category Manager is responsible for a specific group of commodities as procured by Malibu Boats, Inc. (MBI) in support of one or more of MBI’s business units. This position is not only responsible for identifying, qualifying, recommending, selecting and on-boarding sources of supply for current and/or future parts and materials, but also for understanding all aspects of the specific and related commodities and competitive landscapes related to such parts and materials. The Category Manager shall be capable of mining data from multiple sources as well as utilize such data to develop understandings of expected cost structures and business impacts. Using current and developing strategies, tactics, processes, tools and practices, this position shall execute and drive best value for MBI and the specific business unit customer(s) through a balanced approach of supply chain objectives (design, performance, quality, delivery and cost). The Category Manager will work closely with engineering, quality, manufacturing, purchasing and other personnel in the execution of requirements. The Category Manager is a detail oriented individual who can negotiate with both suppliers and internal customers without losing sight of the objective, is self-motivated, curious, competitive and able to multi-task.

Requirements

Understanding of supply chain principles, processes and practices.
Understanding of ERP/MRP and Inventory Control principles and concepts.
Ability to assimilate requirements and communicate such to internal and external customers and suppliers.
Strong quantitative and analytical skills relating to cost analysis and management.
Strong skills related to forward looking strategic deployment.
Strong skills related to supplier relationship management activities and approaches.
Excellent market / industry information analysis skills and knowledge of supply market.
Ability to work with and lead individuals and teams at all organizational levels.
Strong project management skills.
Proficient in negotiations at numerous levels.
Ability to read and interpret business documents, drawings and data.
Ability to make calculations such as discounts, freight estimates, dimensional weight, invoices, and percentages.
Knowledge of general business computer software and aptitude to learn new software applications.
Bachelor's degree (BA) or equivalent from a four-year college or university in business, supply chain or related field preferred; or five years of relevant experience, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
Program management experience required.
Supply chain experience within a fast paced, engineering driven manufacturing environment required.
Strong communications skills in a variety of mediums.
Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical documents, reports, data, procedures, or governmental regulations in English.
Ability to write reports, business correspondence, electronic mail, work instructions and procedures, as examples, in English.
Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, suppliers, internal customers and other employees of the organization.
Ability to effectively conduct meetings in person and with technology assistance.
Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals.
Ability to compute data using standardized and complicated formulae.
Ability to calculate volumes, quantities, discounts, proportions, percentages, etc.
Ability to make calculations such as discounts, freight estimates, dimensional weight, invoices, and percentages.
Ability to utilize data to make business decisions.
Ability to perform calculations, comparisons and operations using different currencies and units of measure.
Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of variables in situations where only limited standardization exists.
Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.
Advanced use of technology (spreadsheets, email, word processing and presentation software)
Ability to learn and utilize pertinent modules of an ERP system
Influences others to act in support of ideas, programs, or causes to elevate MBI
Is accountable and dependable
Is adaptability and flexibility
Is curious and competitive
Creative & Innovative Thinker
Tenacious and Driven
Strong Decision Making & Judgment
Good conflict resolution skills
Ethics & Integrity
Tells the truth and is honest in all dealings
Influences others to act in support of ideas, programs, or causes to elevate MBI.
Builds relationships with teammates so that efforts are received in a positive, developmental manner.
Maintains an objective, neutral stance.
Shows respect for the needs and perspectives of all sides in the negotiation process.
Leads by example and sets standards for professional behavior.
Helps those in need of assistance, regardless of rank.
Conveys confidence in a group’s ability to prevail over challenges to reach its goals.
Addresses issues in an open, constructive, professional manner, and persuades others to approach issues in the same manner.
Demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness; Applies feedback to improve performance; Monitors own work to ensure a high standard of quality.
Consistently attends work and on time and complies with Malibu Boats attendance policy.
Takes responsibility for own actions and is honest.

Nice To Haves

Current Certified Purchasing Manager (CPM) accreditation, or equivalent, preferred

Responsibilities

Defines, recommends and implements full category and supplier strategy with stakeholders in line with the guidance and objectives of the business units and overall commercial team (sales, engineering, etc.)
Builds strong and strategic supplier relationships
Understands supplier market dynamics/intelligence and uses such as input into the strategy
Writes, reviews, issues and evaluates Requests For Information (RFI), Requests For Quotation (RFQ), Requests For Proposal (RFP) or other source selection tools
Works closely with engineering teams across MBI to develop product or system specifications to be used within source selection activities
Drives supplier selection according to strategy, supplier base development, identification of new suppliers and results from RFI, RFQ, RFP or other procurement actions
Summarizes, articulates, presents source selection recommendations and decisions to a variety of audiences
Ensures alignment, anticipate changes, and drives activities based on supply market changes and recommendations of internal business partners
Ensures and promotes co-operation and communication between internal stakeholders, across participating entities
Drives selection of suppliers from list of recommended suppliers according to category strategy and recommendations of internal business partners
Negotiates advantageous pricing and business terms with potential and actual suppliers culminating in the execution of supply agreements
Initiates on-boarding of suppliers with MBI business units as required
Able to interact with multiple Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems to mine data, interact with suppliers, etc.
Able to identify areas of risk within a specific supply chain or commodity group and is able to develop or recommend approaches to mitigate such risk
Creates and updates supplier list according to category strategy
Investigates, recommends and executes potential cost savings through alternative or current sources considering initiatives on savings, supplier performance, risk mitigation and supply base rationalization
Creates and develops obsolescence targets based upon new product and new part integrations.
Utilizes project tracking tools to ensure timely project execution
Works as a member of a cross functional team
Documents performance to action plans and timelines for assigned sourcing projects
Issues Purchase Orders for samples and limited quantities of parts from potential new sources
Drives the parts and process qualification in coordination with the Supplier Quality Team
Facilitates communications between potential suppliers and internal teams
Facilitates transition of supplier and/or part to purchasing team members (buyers)
Other tasks as assigned