The Senior Category Manager is responsible for leading, defining, developing, and executing the complex sourcing program for key spend categories to achieve cost savings and support objectives of strategic importance to business unit customers, supply chain, and the enterprise. The role collaborates with internal customers, suppliers, and supply chain teams to deliver value-added outcomes, procuring the best evaluated total cost of ownership while assuring quality and schedule compliance.

Manages $100M+ in annual managed spend across respective categories. Acts as the expert for assigned categories and monitors the market drivers, supplier base, emerging technologies, regulatory factors, category spend by supplier, inventory, supplier, and fill rate performance.


Spend and market analysis:
Performs complex market and financial analysis to understand key market forces and to determine and mitigate the business risk associated with a supplier or contract. Evaluate and leverage rigorous analysis of market and spending data to prioritize and target strategic sourcing initiatives within assigned categories.

Specification management:
Leads the process from specification/definition of need through contract administration (may include Construction Specifications Institute) and complex investment recovery.

Sourcing strategies:
Synthesizes spending and complex market analyses to develop thorough and effective sourcing strategies. Determines the most strategic supply chain model to acquire the necessary products and services at the maximum level of savings.

Competitive process:
Fosters a high level of competition to deliver improved performance at a reduced cost. Follows the prescribed methodology and teaches the organization, describing the underlying reasons for each step during competitive bidding event execution.*

Negotiations:
Collaborates to develop negotiation strategies and company positions on highly complex contracts, works with Legal to identify and incorporate appropriate levels of commercial protection, and conducts negotiations to ensure successful execution of strategies for optimal business outcomes. Distinguishes between positions and interests to facilitate win-win results.

Identifies new sources of supply, and potential new products/technologies and exhibits cradle-to-grave ownership for each assigned category.
Continuous improvement: Initiates “leading practices” within strategic procurement to achieve a high level of process excellence; stays abreast of industry innovations, and continuously improves the function and processes.

Supplier development and performance:
Establishes and maintains professional relationships with suppliers/partners, based on the highest ethical business practices outlined in company policy. Acts as the primary liaison to suppliers within assigned categories. Develops and manages tools and key performance measures for chosen suppliers and negotiates on multiple variables to award longer-term strategic contracts that result in significant cost reduction and improved service levels


Other non-essential duties as assigned or may be necessary

Skills:
Category plan development and management of large dollar risk purchases
Supplier development and performance
Negotiations and competitive process
Contract development, management, and administration (may include Construction Specifications Institute)
Spend and market analysis
Planning and forecasting
Continuous improvement and productivity
Relationship Management

Education:
A bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Engineering, Business, or Accounting/Finance field. 7-10 years of experience is also required, 10-12 years preferred.