Global Category Manager

​The Global Category Manager is responsible for all Supply Chain activities associated with the assigned categories. This position will develop, execute, and maintain strategies related to supplier identification and development, sourcing, supplier management, and spend optimization. This position will be closely aligned with all business units in support of new product development and inventory management.

Specific Responsibilities

1. Optimize cost for assigned products, with an emphasis on cost reduction and margin improvement.

2. Develop sourcing strategies and lead contract negotiations.

3. Launch and support new product innovation and drive best practices across category.

4. Develop multi‐year category plans for various products including spend consolidation.

5. Plan, organize, direct, control, and communicate all strategic sourcing activities related to assigned spend, from intent to purchase through delivery of commodity/service.

6. Recruit, maintain and manage world‐class suppliers with focus on total cost of ownership improvement.

7. Drive spend analysis activities identifying strategic sourcing opportunities within assigned categories and throughout the Supply Chain environment where applicable.

8. Prepare and review contracts, bids, proposals, and supplier agreements for legal correctness, terms/ conditions, and acceptability of items to specifications.

9. Prepare and present supplier scorecards and business reviews.

10. Develop a system to evaluate supplier quotations that utilizes appropriate negotiation and sourcing strategies to ensure quality, price, delivery, and service across multiple global locations.

11. Analyze market and delivery conditions to determine present and future material availability.

12. Pro‐actively establish and implement countermeasures to negative market trends and missed objective performance.

13. Develop risk mitigation strategies and drive annual productivity (cost savings) projects to meet assigned targets.

14. Negotiate effective cash and inventory management positions with suppliers.

15. Perform other duties as required within the nature and level of work.

Job Qualification Requirements

Bachelors degree in supply chain or related field and five (5) years of procurement related experience are required. MBA preferred. CPM (certified purchasing manager) or CPIM (planning and inventory management) certification is a plus. Proficient in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Project). Demonstrated understanding of lean principles and demand flow techniques. Commodity and market expertise with a high level of technical competency. Project management, problem solving, and supplier management skills. Must be able to work and effectively communicate with all levels of the company and suppliers.

Physical Demand Requirements

​Occasionally required to stand, walk or sit; use hands to finger, handle or feel objects, tools or controls; reach with hands and arms; climb stairs; balance; stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl; talk or hear; taste or smell. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move objects up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.