Procurement Category Manager

Work at Simmons•Siloam Springs, AR

About The Position

The Procurement Category Manager oversees procurement for one or more business-unit categories and develops and executes strategies for sourcing assigned commodities. The role is responsible for securing long-term quality, on-time delivery, cost efficiency, and sustainability of direct material supply throughout the product lifecycle. It drives business results through supply assurance, issue resolution, regulatory compliance, innovation, and collaboration with cross-functional leaders and teams. The manager leads the end-to-end sourcing process, including strategy development and execution, supplier relationship management, quotation analysis, negotiations, contract terms, and business awards based on quality, service, and total value. Working with internal stakeholders and suppliers, the role identifies requirements, manages risk, improves contract terms, addresses supply gaps or excesses, and pursues cost savings and continuous improvement. The manager also oversees category KPIs, productivity savings, strategic projects, new product introductions, and supplier plant audits. The position requires travel within North America to company facilities, suppliers, trade shows, work sites, and customer visits, approximately 25–35% of the time, often with overnight stays. Work may take place in manufacturing and office environments and on surrounding property. The employee may need to work in various temperatures and use personal protective equipment as required.

Requirements

Five to seven years of experience in purchasing.
Bachelor's degree in business or a related field, or four years of related work experience.
Excellent organizational, communication, and computer skills, including proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite.
Ability to travel within North America approximately 25–35%, often requiring overnight stays.
Ability to work in various temperatures and move about manufacturing and office environments and surrounding property.
Ability to enter and locate information on a computer, visually verify information including small print, communicate by telephone, in person, and electronically, and present information to small or large groups.
Ability to use personal protective equipment as required in the work environment.

Nice To Haves

Category materials experience.
Extensive experience managing a SKU-intensive environment.
In-depth knowledge of manufacturing and category products.
Consumer-category background and broad knowledge of key category manufacturers in the industry.
Designated Supply Chain Management Professional (SCMP) qualification or equivalent.
MBA.

Responsibilities

Oversee procurement for one or more business-unit categories and develop and execute sourcing strategies for assigned commodities.
Secure reliable supply, quality, on-time delivery, cost efficiency, and sustainable direct-material offerings throughout the product lifecycle.
Lead the entire sourcing process, including sourcing events, supplier quotation analysis, cost negotiations, contract terms, and business awards.
Collaborate with Manufacturing, R&D, Sales, Regulatory, Supply Chain, Transportation, Legal, Finance, Warehousing, Marketing, and other stakeholders to define requirements and deliver cross-functional results.
Maintain compliance with corporate policies and applicable regulatory and legal requirements, and monitor regulatory issues where necessary.
Use technical and industry knowledge to assess category structures, manufacturing, market conditions, cost drivers, demand and supply drivers, and trends.
Build collaborative relationships with current and prospective suppliers and develop strategic business plans with key supplier partners.
Negotiate with suppliers to secure supply, cost savings, and advantageous terms; review existing contracts and prepare for renegotiations.
Coordinate with the legal team on contracts and other business issues.
Analyze volume forecasts and trends, identify supply gaps or overages, and initiate sourcing activities to address them.
Create and oversee category KPIs, identify exceptions and improvement opportunities, and drive corrective action.
Deliver and track year-over-year productivity cost savings for key categories.
Communicate and align category sourcing strategies with business stakeholders.
Develop and execute strategic projects to achieve a sustainable competitive advantage.
Manage new product introductions, ensuring on-time delivery, quality adherence, and budget adherence.
Conduct supplier plant audits with other key stakeholders.
Travel to company facilities, suppliers, trade shows, work sites, and customer visits as required to manage assigned categories.
Participate in team development, communication, and implementation of team concepts, programs, and policies; coordinate work and attend team meetings.
Support team cohesiveness by identifying and helping resolve issues and reinforcing actions that promote organizational synergy.
Maintain familiarity with Simmons operating systems, including quality, security, office environment, company policies, and LEAN, and communicate concerns and improvement ideas.
Perform other duties as necessary in support of business objectives.