Procurement Category Manager

Convatec•Lexington, MA

2d•Remote

About The Position

The Procurement Category Manager is a key role within Convatec’s Global Procurement function, driving a high-performance culture and Procurement Excellence. The role owns end-to-end global category management for a defined category or sub-category in the Plastics & Metals group within Direct Procurement. It develops short-, medium-, and long-term strategic plans aligned with current and future business and customer needs, and works with stakeholders and suppliers to deliver cost management, resilience, and continuous improvement. The manager develops and implements category strategies and sourcing plans for assigned spend areas, which may include Injection Moulding, Resins, Molds, Films, and Metals. The scope may be regional or global depending on the category. The role manages stakeholder and supplier relationships, leads Source-to-Contract activities, develops supplier capabilities and performance, and ensures applicable supplier ESG targets are met. Depending on category complexity, the role may line-manage Strategic Buyers. The position is remote, with business travel to suppliers and Convatec sites, including Memphis, Tennessee. Domestic or international travel may be required. Flexibility outside core working hours may occasionally be needed. English is required for speaking, writing, and reading; additional languages are noted as required or nice to have.

Requirements

Degree-level education, MCIPS Level 6, or equivalent.
At least 5 years working in a strategic procurement, sourcing, process engineering, or continuous-improvement environment.
At least 5 years working in a strategic procurement or sourcing environment using a formal category or sourcing management process.
Previous experience in the Injection Moulding category, with the ability to engage technically with suppliers and support cross-functional discussions with tool makers.
Demonstrable knowledge of total cost of ownership models and a detailed understanding of key market drivers.
Understanding of Category Management principles and ability to define strategy, translate it into actionable plans, and manage those plans through implementation.
Ability to work with technically and culturally diverse people in a matrix environment and influence them to achieve goals and business results in a timely manner.
Ability to influence senior stakeholders and challenge requirements to secure best value for the business.
Experience using e-procurement tools to find, evaluate, and select vendors.
Autonomous, self-starting approach and ability to map and build a relevant stakeholder network.
Ability to demonstrate behaviors aligned with the role and support Convatec’s ‘Forever Caring’ Promise.
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, including communicating through varied formats with internal stakeholders of differing seniority and external partners.
Results- and solution-oriented approach, with focus on meeting targets and deadlines.
Strong analytical problem-solving skills, including analysis and interpretation of complex problems using data from varied sources and software tools.
Understanding of financial principles, resource planning, and allocation to support category plans for cost management, resilience, and continuous improvement.
Experience negotiating commercial and contractual matters with suppliers and applying judgment to contractual risk and supply resilience.
Ability to promote new ideas and strategies, challenge the status quo, and develop sustainable solutions.
Analytical and strategic thinking, teamwork, sound judgment, collaboration, and decision-making skills.
English speaking, writing, and reading skills.
Flexibility outside core working hours may be required at times.
Ability to travel to supplier and Convatec manufacturing sites as required.

Nice To Haves

Additional languages, as required or nice to have.

Responsibilities

Develop integrated, customer- and business-aligned category strategies for assigned Plastics & Metals spend areas, engaging relevant stakeholders and working regionally or globally as appropriate.
Manage stakeholder and supplier relationships to align category strategies with business needs and ensure the supply base can support them.
Engage stakeholders and suppliers to develop strategic plans that deliver the category strategy.
Implement category plans and ensure procurement activities deliver expected business value.
Deliver contracts, agreements, and sourcing strategies for materials, products, and/or services supporting the defined category strategies.
Own the Source-to-Contract process, including identifying opportunities, selecting a sourcing strategy such as an RFP or e-auction, evaluating proposals, making recommendations, and awarding business.
Use Supplier Relationship Management to assess and develop the supplier base in response to changing business and customer demands.
Identify and drive continuous-improvement and innovation initiatives that improve supplier performance or capabilities and generate value.
Ensure supplier ESG targets applicable to the assigned categories are met.
Where category complexity requires it, line-manage Strategic Buyers to support timely implementation of category plans.
Travel to Convatec manufacturing sites and supplier facilities as required, domestically or internationally.