Senior Category Manager - UniFirst First Aid + Safety

UniFirst•Earth City, MO

2d•Onsite

About The Position

UniFirst First Aid + Safety is seeking a reliable and hardworking Senior Category Manager to join our community. As a Senior Category Manager, you will be responsible for overseeing key import categories, with a strong focus on textile-based products, and leadership of category planning and buying activities. This role plays a pivotal part in UniFirst First Aid + Safety Supply Chain transformation and will be instrumental in enhancing sourcing strategies, supplier performance, and cross-functional collaboration across the First Aid + Safety business unit.

Requirements

Must be 18 years of age or older.
Valid non-commercial driver’s license and safe driving record.
5+ years of category management, sourcing, or procurement experience.
Bachelor’s Degree required (Marketing, Business, Supply Chain, or related field).
5+ years of category management, sourcing, or procurement experience.
Experience leading a team, managing planning and buying functions.
International sourcing and textile import experience required.
Strong vendor negotiation and supplier relationship management skills.
High proficiency in Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, and ERP systems (Oracle, SAP, etc.)
Excellent communication and stakeholder management capabilities.
Proven track record of cost savings, efficiency improvements, and supplier performance enhancement.
Strong analytical, problem-solving, and project management skills.
Ability to travel as needed (vendor visits, trade shows, UniFirst sites).
Ability to lift and carry 60 lbs.

Nice To Haves

CPM or CPSM preferred.
Background in First Aid, Safety, PPE, apparel, or industrial supply preferred.

Responsibilities

Own and lead strategic sourcing, planning, and buying for direct spend categories within the First Aid & Safety division.
Serve as product and sourcing expert, managing global supplier relationships and ensuring alignment with UniFirst’s procurement strategy.
Develop and execute holistic category plans including forecasting, supplier selection, negotiation, and performance management.
Conduct market research to identify trends, cost-saving opportunities, and new sourcing channels to remain competitive.
Negotiate and manage vendor contracts, pricing, and risk mitigation terms.
Partner cross-functionally with Legal, Compliance, Logistics, and Field Operations to ensure sourcing aligns with company goals and policies.
Oversee forecasting, buying strategies, and inventory optimization levels to be in line with sales projections and national account requirements.
Lead Quarterly Business Reviews (QBRs) and supplier reviews to evaluate KPIs, pricing, service levels, drive continuous improvement and cost efficiency.
Monitoring monthly Profit & Losses (P&L) performance to align results with financial accuracy.
Conduct annual and quarterly RFQs for core programs to secure competitive pricing and cost savings.
Supervise, train, and mentor Buyer/Planner and support staff within the First Aid & Safety Procurement team, fostering a culture of collaboration, continuous improvement, and accountability.
Support recruiting, onboarding, and professional development of team members; providing guidance and hands-on support.
Partner with internal stake holders to ensure alignment of sourcing plans with business needs and to maintain consistency in reporting, strategy, and execution.
Provide regular category performance updates to senior management and support ongoing process improvement initiatives.
Performs other duties and responsibilities as may be reasonably required by the Manager and Supervisor.