Procurement Category Manager - Hardware
About The Position
About the Role: We are seeking a highly motivated and experienced Procurement Category Manager to join our team in Chicago. This hybrid role provides essential procurement and supplier expertise in the areas of strategic sourcing and category management, with a focus on Hardware related spend. The ideal candidate will possess strong commercial and contractual experience, delivering high-quality, innovative, and cost-effective methodologies to support company and department objectives. This role requires exceptional verbal and written communication skills, strong organizational and time management abilities, and the ability to interface and foster a collaborative environment with cross-functional teams.
Requirements
- Proven experience in budget planning and cost reduction strategies.
- Demonstrated ability in contract negotiations, operating effectively with minimal legal guidance.
- 4+ years of progressive procurement experience, with a focus on Hardware categories preferred.
- Experience contributing to large/complex supplier deals, including services, integrated solutions, and more.
- Ability to communicate effectively and facilitate presentations for Director/VP levels.
- Bachelor's Degree in business, finance or similar business discipline
- 4+ years of procurement, supply chain or similar business experience
- Legal authorization to work in the U.S. indefinitely is required.
Nice To Haves
- Preferred certifications: Certified Professional in Supply Management (CPSM), Certified member of the Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply (MCIPS), Certified Purchasing Manager (CPM) from the Institute of Supply Chain Management (ISM), Project Management Professional (PMP) from the Project Management Institute.
- Ability to travel up to 25% (minimal travel required).
Responsibilities
- Lead and execute long-term agreements through formal RFx methodologies.
- Analyze spend data and industry dynamics to identify, prioritize, and launch strategic sourcing initiatives for hardware categories.
- Identify value/savings opportunities, process improvements, and best practices within the hardware category.
- Establish positive relationships across business units to ensure active and early participation in supplier-related matters.
- Lead negotiations in both financial and business matters, including commercial terms and risk mitigation for strategic contracts.
- Collaborate with business stakeholders to understand requirements, budgets, and current gaps and challenges to develop the best strategic sourcing strategies for hardware.
- Support strategic sourcing best practices, including driving supplier segmentation, scorecards, and facilitating strategic business reviews in collaboration with business partners.
- Lead supplier contract renewals and leverage competitive pricing, quality, and customer service.
- Develop strategic relationships with existing or new key suppliers and ensure appropriate engagement levels exist to drive partnership objectives.
- Identify process improvements to increase efficiencies and maximize spend opportunity within the hardware category.
- Provide guidance to internal stakeholders on business initiatives and procurement strategies related to hardware.
- Develop relationships with senior leadership.
- Provide subject matter expertise on complex purchasing, legal, and contractual issues.
- Perform supplier relationship management and reviews.
Benefits
- Incentive Bonus Plans
- Medical, Dental, Vision benefits
- 401K with Company Match
- 10 Paid Holidays
- Generous Paid Time Off Packages
- Employee Stock Purchase Plan
- Paid Parental & Family Leave
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Mid Level
