Level 4 Category Manager

Aston Carter•Franklin Township, NJ

6d•$130,000 - $150,000•Remote

About The Position

A manufacturing company is seeking a Category Manager to own a defined global category and develop and execute long-term category strategies aligned with business objectives. The role leads end-to-end supplier strategy, including evaluating, selecting, developing, consolidating, or exiting suppliers to optimize the global supply base. As a subject matter expert, the Category Manager provides strategic guidance to internal stakeholders and drives supplier performance across cost, quality, delivery, and innovation. The position works closely with engineering, operations, and leadership to align priorities and create value. It also focuses on proactively mitigating supply-chain risks, strengthening supplier relationships, and advancing procurement from reactive problem-solving toward strategic, forward-looking category management. This is a permanent position. The posting gives Somerset, New Jersey as the location and describes the workplace as fully remote, while the opening section also identifies it as hybrid. The listed annual pay range is $130,000–$150,000; an earlier listing states $120,000–$145,000. Individual compensation depends on qualifications, skills, experience, job knowledge, location, internal equity, and other job-related factors.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree required.
At least 12 years of supply-chain experience.
At least 5 years owning a category.
Industry experience required; the specific industry is not stated.
Proven experience in strategic sourcing rather than transactional buying.
Demonstrated ability to build and execute long-term category strategies.
Strong supplier-management and negotiation skills.

Nice To Haves

Master's degree preferred.

Responsibilities

Own and execute the sourcing strategy for a specific category or sub-category, aligned with business and supply-chain objectives.
Manage the supplier lifecycle, including selection, onboarding, and ongoing performance management.
Lead negotiations on pricing, commercial terms, and supplier agreements.
Own cost-reduction targets and drive cost savings and optimization initiatives.
Partner with engineering and operations to support sourcing decisions and evaluate technical requirements.
Monitor supplier performance with scorecards, KPIs, and regular business reviews.
Manage supplier relationships to support consistent performance and accountability.
Identify and mitigate supply-chain risks, including capacity constraints, single-source exposure, and continuity risks.
Analyze data, cost drivers, and total cost of ownership to inform sourcing strategies.
Execute sourcing initiatives end to end and deliver results on time.
Collaborate with cross-functional teams to align priorities and timelines.
Contribute to continuous improvement of sourcing processes and tools.