Sr Category Manager
About The Position
A highly reputable manufacturing company is looking for an Sr Category Manager to join their team! This role includes a large range of duties including but not limited to global ownership of a defined category, with a strong emphasis on building and executing long-term, 5–10 year category strategies aligned to business objectives. The Category Manager will lead the end-to-end supplier strategy, including evaluating, selecting, developing, consolidating, or exiting suppliers to optimize the global supply base. Acting as the subject matter expert (SME), this individual will provide strategic guidance to internal stakeholders while driving supplier performance across cost, quality, delivery, and innovation. The position requires close cross-functional collaboration with engineering, operations, and leadership teams to ensure alignment and value creation. Additionally, the role focuses on proactively identifying and mitigating supply chain risks, strengthening supplier relationships, and transitioning the organization from reactive firefighting to a more strategic, forward-looking approach to procurement and category management.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree required
- 12+ years of Supply Chain experience required
- 5+ years owning a category
- industry experience required
- Proven experience in strategic sourcing (not transactional buying)
- Demonstrated ability to build and execute long-term category strategies
- Strong supplier management and negotiation skills
Nice To Haves
- Masters degree preferred
Responsibilities
- Own and execute the sourcing strategy for a specific category or sub-category, ensuring alignment with overall business and supply chain objectives
- Manage the full lifecycle of suppliers, including selection, onboarding, and ongoing performance management
- Lead negotiations for pricing, commercial terms, and supplier agreements to achieve cost savings and favorable conditions
- Drive cost savings and cost optimization initiatives, taking direct ownership of cost reduction targets and outcomes
- Partner closely with engineering and operations teams to support sourcing decisions and evaluate technical requirements
- Monitor and manage supplier performance using scorecards, KPIs, and regular business reviews
- Actively manage supplier relationships to ensure consistent performance and accountability
- Identify and mitigate supply chain risks such as capacity constraints, single-source exposure, and continuity risks
- Analyze data, cost drivers, and total cost of ownership (TCO) to inform sourcing strategies
- Execute sourcing initiatives end-to-end, ensuring timely and effective delivery of results
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams to maintain alignment on priorities and timelines
- Contribute to continuous improvement of sourcing processes and tools
Benefits
- Great benefits package
- Work life balance
- Stability and clear opportunities for growth into other areas of the dealership over time.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
