Sr. Category Manager - Digital

What You’ll Do Provide indirect leadership and cross‑functional influence, building trusted‑advisor relationships across Marketing, Digital, IT, Finance, Data Privacy, and Security teams. Collaborate with stakeholders to establish YOY targets and strategies to grow MarTech spend under management; track savings, avoidance, and rebates to ensure alignment with organizational goals. Develop and manage governance structures and reporting frameworks for indirect MarTech spend. Lead category initiatives with a defined strategy for the assigned categories. Manage and develop team members, prioritizing projects based on influence, relationships, cost containment, and alignment with organizational objectives while fostering their professional growth and development. Lead risk management activities for the assigned categories by identifying, assessing, and mitigating threats to Ace’s capital and operational stability. Develop supplier risk profiles using market intelligence, competitive analysis, and supplier performance metrics to ensure proactive risk mitigation. Demonstrate the ability to adopt and apply AI‑enabled tools and intelligent agents to improve operational efficiency, productivity, and scalability across MarTech procurement activities. Develop performance metrics for suppliers within the assigned categories, accurately forecast, measure, and report ongoing program cost savings. Proactively refresh agreements mid‑contract to leverage changing market conditions, align with performance SLAs and KPIs, and incorporate evolving corporate requirements. Consolidate diverse stakeholder requirements and develop market Request for Information (RFI) and Request for Proposal (RFP) events for the assigned categories. Design category‑specific communication strategies, collaborate with stakeholders to create grading systems, and analyze results to make final recommendations that strengthen supplier relationships. Oversee end‑to‑end category management activities for the assigned categories, including conducting Quarterly Business Reviews (QBRs) with suppliers to evaluate performance and identify areas for improvement. Create contract management matrices and design performance scorecards to monitor critical elements such as savings, avoidance, and supplier expertise. Communicate the effectiveness of governance performance, trends, benefits, and future directions for the assigned categories to both local and executive‑level stakeholders. Develop and deliver corporate‑wide updates and supplier communications to ensure alignment with organizational objectives and performance standards. Engage with internal customers to gather feedback on supplier performance, program delivery, and areas for improvement for the assigned categories. Refine deliverables and align supplier actions to meet evolving customer needs and performance expectations. Who You Are You bring deep experience in procurement and digital technology categories, with strong ability to influence, anticipate supplier and market dynamics, and manage high‑complexity projects with minimal oversight. You thrive in fast‑moving, cross‑functional environments and enjoy partnering across Marketing, Digital, and IT teams to drive measurable results. Required Skills Bachelor’s degree in Procurement, Supply Chain, Finance, or a related field is required; an MBA is preferred. Professional certifications such as CIPS or APICS are strongly encouraged. Minimum of 7+ years of progressive experience in category management, procurement, or related roles, with a proven track record of leadership in managing complex categories. Demonstrated experience in people management, with the ability to develop and mentor talent and lead cross‑functional initiatives. Advanced strategic thinking and analytical skills, with the ability to create long‑range sourcing plans, drive category strategies, and align with organizational goals. Strong communication and relationship management skills, with the ability to influence executive‑level stakeholders and build trusted advisor relationships. Exceptional negotiation skills, maximizing value while minimizing risks through complex contract negotiations and supplier performance management. Extensive experience in developing and executing innovative sourcing methodologies, risk mitigation strategies, and best practices that optimize value and ensure alignment with business objectives. Deep knowledge of supplier management, with the ability to define service level expectations, assess supplier communities, and proactively identify new sourcing opportunities. Proficient in collecting, analyzing, and integrating data using advanced productivity tools and sourcing systems, including E‑Sourcing and Contracts Management platforms. Advanced skills in Microsoft Office Suite, with expertise in PowerPoint, Word, and Excel for presentations, reporting, and data analysis. Demonstrated ability to independently manage competing priorities, lead high‑complexity projects, and execute both strategic and tactical procurement activities with minimal supervision. Proven success in delivering measurable results, including cost savings, risk reduction, and supplier performance improvements, through effective category management and cross‑functional collaboration. Preferred Skills Experience with privacy and data regulations (CCPA, GDPR). Familiarity with MarTech stack architecture and integration considerations. Compensation Details Salary: $137,700 - $165,000 per year Benefits include: Incentive opportunities based on role/grade level. Generous 401(k) retirement savings plan with fully vested matching contribution and quarterly contributions. Comprehensive health coverage (medical, dental, vision, disability – up to 26 weeks short‑term disability and long‑term disability) & life insurance benefits. 21 days of vacation immediately available (prorated in the first year) and up to 6 paid holidays depending on month of hire. Company car, phone and fuel card for field‑based positions. Annual volunteer time‑off (20 hours) for community service. Tuition assistance program and performance management approach beyond annual review. Employee discounts on merchandise and other perks. Equal Opportunity Employer Ace Hardware Corporation is committed to a policy of promoting equal employment opportunities. The company recognizes the importance of diversity and leveraging the skills and talents of all people to the mutual advantage of each individual and the organization. The company is committed to the prevention of employment discrimination related to race, religion, color, sex (including sexual harassment), gender identity, national origin, age, marital status, disability and military or veteran status, sexual orientation or any other action covered by federal or applicable state/local laws. Disclaimer The pay range for this position starts as listed in the job posting, but could be higher based on education and experience. Please note, compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each opening. We take into consideration the minimum requirements outlined in the job description, such as an individual’s education, training and experience, the position’s work location, required travel (if any), and external market conditions when determining the final salary for potential new hires. Be aware that salary estimates published via alternate online job boards may not be a true representation of the actual pay range offered for this position. Please refer to the Ace position description for the accurate starting pay range information and feel free to discuss this with a Talent Acquisition professional if you are chosen to move forward with an interview. #J-18808-Ljbffr Ace Hardware Corporation