Sr Manager Category Management

Vallen • Belmont, NC

2d

About The Position

Vallen Distribution is seeking a purposeful and strategic leader to serve as Senior Manager, Supplier Strategy. This role will be responsible for developing and executing a comprehensive Sourcing Strategy for Vallen's multibillion-dollar enterprise. As a key partner to the Category Management organization, the Sr. Manager will drive enterprise-wide cost savings, profitability enhancements, and long-term supplier partnerships that strengthen Vallen's competitive position in the market. The ideal candidate will bring strong procurement expertise, analytical rigor, and a collaborative mindset to identify and unlock enterprise-level opportunities across spend categories and supplier networks. This opportunity is a high-impact role with executive visibility and a clear mandate to deliver measurable value.

Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree (Supply Chain, Business, Finance or related field) required.
• 5--7+ years of progressive responsibility in Strategic Sourcing, Procurement, or Supply Chain, ideally in industrial distribution, manufacturing, or a related sector.
• Proven success in leading sourcing strategies across complex, multi-category spend environments.
• Deep understanding of supplier economics, global sourcing, negotiation tactics, and TCO.
• Strong data analysis and financial modeling capabilities.
• Effective communicator with the ability to influence Executive, Commercial and Operational functions.
• Demonstrated ability to deliver results in a fast-paced, evolving enterprise environment.

Nice To Haves

• Preferred MBA or advanced degree.

Responsibilities

• Build and Lead Enterprise Supplier Strategy and Development: Develop, refine, and execute Vallen's Strategic Sourcing roadmap aligned to enterprise growth goals, profitability targets, and customer value delivery.
• Drive Profit Enhancement: Identify, assess, and execute sourcing initiatives to improve gross margin, reduce total cost of ownership (TCO), and create long term economic value for Vallen.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner closely with the Category Management team to align sourcing priorities, to negotiate supplier terms and to implement value driving strategies across Supplier and Product portfolios.
• Supplier Management & Optimization: Develop strategies to manage strategic supplier relationships, to negotiate commercial terms, to segment, consolidate and rationalize the supplier base, where appropriate.
• Enterprise Opportunity Identification: Analyze enterprise-wide spend data and supply chain performance to uncover sourcing opportunities not realized at the category level.
• Procurement Analytics: Lead the analytical support of evaluating both initiative-taking and reactive procurement opportunities.
• Change Leadership & Execution: Champion best practices in Sourcing, Compliance, and Risk Management. Lead cross-functional strategic sourcing project implementations to ensure stakeholder alignment and timely delivery.
• Performance Analytics and Reporting: Establish and track Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for sourcing initiatives to include cost savings, working capital improvements and general supplier performance metrics.
• Team Management: Manage a team of sourcing professionals (optional depending on organization size).

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager