Strategic Sourcing & Category Manager

For over 17 years, Trilyon has been a leader in global workforce solutions, specializing in Cloud Technology, AI/ML, Software Development, Technical Writing, and Digital Transformation. We partner with top companies to deliver high-quality talent in engineering, IT, and emerging technologies. For additional information or to view all of our job opportunities, please visit our website

We are seeking an Strategic Sourcing & Category Manager to join our team. This role will involve leading strategic sourcing initiatives, managing supplier relationships, negotiating commercial agreements, optimizing procurement strategies, and ensuring continuity of supply across complex product-based environments. The ideal candidate will have experience in strategic sourcing, category management, supplier management, procurement, NPI sourcing, cost optimization, supply chain risk management, and cross-functional collaboration.

Job Title: Strategic Sourcing & Category Manager

Location: Atlanta, GA (100% Remote Within the USA)

Duration: 3 6 Months Contract

Job Description:

The Strategic Sourcing & Category Manager will be responsible for managing the end-to-end materials procurement lifecycle, including supplier selection, qualification, negotiations, contracts, purchase orders, capacity planning, supplier performance, and cost optimization. The Strategic Sourcing & Category Manager will develop and implement sourcing strategies that support new product introduction, product lifecycle management, manufacturing operations, and critical outsourcing initiatives.

The Strategic Sourcing & Category Manager will work closely with Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality, Legal, Supply Chain, and other internal stakeholders to establish strategic supplier partnerships, mitigate supply risks, improve procurement processes, and deliver high-quality materials and services in a timely and cost-effective manner.

Responsibilities:

• Develop, implement, and manage strategic procurement and sourcing strategies aligned with business objectives.
• Lead the complete procurement sourcing lifecycle, including supplier identification, qualification, selection, negotiation, contracting, purchase order management, and supplier performance management.
• Manage strategic sourcing and category management initiatives across mechanical, electrical, and electronics commodities.
• Develop and execute cost reduction strategies, including should-cost modeling, total cost of ownership (TCO) analysis, supplier benchmarking, and market-based pricing analysis.
• Analyze market indices, commodity trends, cost drivers, and supplier economics to support pricing negotiations and sourcing decisions.
• Lead commercial negotiations with strategic, sole-source, and single-source suppliers to achieve cost, quality, capacity, and delivery objectives.
• Develop and maintain strategic supplier relationships while ensuring performance against contractual, quality, delivery, and cost expectations.
• Source, develop, qualify, and maintain suppliers in collaboration with Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality, and other technical teams.
• Develop and execute comprehensive RFPs, RFIs, supplier assessments, and competitive sourcing events.
• Develop strategic agreements such as NDAs, JDAs, and MSAs in collaboration with Legal and internal stakeholders.
• Ensure supplier agreements appropriately address fixed and variable costs, lead times, manufacturing capacity, schedules, intellectual property protection, and business requirements.
• Support new product introduction (NPI) sourcing activities and ensure procurement strategies support product launch timelines.
• Manage ECO/MCO change orders in coordination with Engineering, Manufacturing, suppliers, and product lifecycle teams.
• Ensure engineering and manufacturing changes are effectively communicated to suppliers and integrated into the overall co-development process.
• Direct activities related to planning and purchasing of materials and capital equipment while partnering with internal teams on inventory management.
• Manage and optimize purchase order processes, tracking, documentation, and procurement system activities.
• Maintain and update supplier master data within procurement platforms such as SAP and Jaggaer.
• Develop and implement supplier capacity strategies to support production scale-up and changing business requirements.
• Evaluate the existing supplier base and identify opportunities for supplier consolidation, diversification, development, and strategic expansion.
• Monitor supplier health, financial stability, operational capabilities, capacity, quality, and overall business risk.
• Identify potential supply chain disruptions and proactively develop mitigation and contingency strategies.
• Establish supplier performance KPIs and conduct regular supplier business reviews and risk assessments.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives focused on cost reduction, quality improvement, delivery performance, process optimization, and supply continuity.
• Collaborate with global procurement and supply management leadership to ensure category strategies are aligned with organizational priorities.
• Lead and participate in multifunctional teams supporting product design, cost reduction, supplier development, and supply continuity.
• Partner with Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality, Finance, Legal, Operations, and Supply Chain teams to achieve sourcing and procurement objectives.
• Provide data-driven reporting, analysis, recommendations, and executive-level presentations related to sourcing and supplier performance.
• Develop procurement dashboards, performance metrics, and analytical reports using Microsoft Office and related business tools.
• Advocate for procurement and supply management objectives across business units and operational partners.
• Identify opportunities to improve procurement systems, processes, controls, and operating efficiencies.
• Establish and implement procurement best practices to improve sourcing effectiveness and operational performance.
• Support strategic planning related to demand and supply planning, inventory management, supplier capacity, and product lifecycle management.
• Ensure compliance with applicable procurement policies, quality requirements, safety standards, environmental policies, and internal controls.
• Maintain high standards of ethics, professionalism, confidentiality, and supplier governance throughout procurement activities.
• Manage multiple sourcing projects, priorities, suppliers, and resources simultaneously in a fast-paced environment.
• Provide regular updates to senior leadership regarding sourcing strategies, cost savings, supplier risks, project status, and critical issues.
• Travel up to 20% annually as required.
• Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned by leadership.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering or a related technical field, or equivalent experience.
• 8 10+ years of experience in strategic sourcing, procurement, category management, or a related supply chain function.
• Strong experience managing strategic sourcing and category management initiatives.
• Experience working with mechanical, electrical, and electronics commodities is highly preferred.
• Strong knowledge of end-to-end supply chain processes, including demand and supply planning, inventory management, procurement, supplier management, and product lifecycle management.
• Demonstrated experience with supplier selection, qualification, development, negotiation, and performance management.
• Strong understanding of TCO analysis, should-cost modeling, cost drivers, and cost reduction strategies.
• Proven experience negotiating with sole-source and single-source suppliers.
• Experience with RFP/RFI development and strategic sourcing events.
• Strong contract negotiation and commercial agreement management skills.
• Experience supporting New Product Introduction (NPI) sourcing and product development environments.
• Strong project management, organizational, analytical, and problem-solving capabilities.
• Excellent written, verbal, presentation, negotiation, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Ability to influence internal stakeholders and suppliers without direct authority.
• Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively within cross-functional teams.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects, priorities, and resources simultaneously.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to communicate complex information to senior leadership.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master's degree in Business Administration or an equivalent advanced degree.
• C.P.M., CPSM, CPSD, or equivalent procurement certification.
• Project Management certification.
• Experience in elevator, automotive, aerospace, consumer goods, industrial manufacturing, or other product-based manufacturing environments.
• Experience with global supplier networks and international sourcing.
• Experience with SAP, Jaggaer, or similar procurement and supplier management platforms.
• Experience managing engineering change orders and manufacturing change orders.
• Experience in supplier risk management, capacity planning, and supplier development.

Key Skills:

Strategic Sourcing, Category Management, Procurement, Supply Chain Management, Supplier Management, Supplier Development, Strategic Procurement, Materials Procurement, NPI Sourcing, New Product Introduction, Supplier Qualification, Supplier Selection, Supplier Performance Management, Contract Negotiation, Commercial Negotiation, RFP, RFI, NDA, JDA, MSA, Purchase Order Management, Procurement Operations, Category Strategy, Cost Reduction, Cost Optimization, Cost Modeling, Should-Cost Modeling, Total Cost of Ownership (TCO), Spend Analysis, Supplier Benchmarking, Market Analysis, Commodity Analysis, Supply Chain Risk Management, Supplier Risk Assessment, Capacity Planning, Supply Continuity, Inventory Management, Demand Planning, Supply Planning, Product Lifecycle Management, ECO, MCO, Engineering Change Management, Manufacturing Change Management, Continuous Improvement, Supplier Consolidation, Supplier Diversification, Strategic Partnerships, Cross-Functional Leadership, Project Management, Stakeholder Management, Data Analysis, Reporting, KPI Development, Business Reviews, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft PowerPoint, Microsoft Office Suite, SAP, Jaggaer, ERP Systems, Procurement Systems, Global Sourcing, Manufacturing, Mechanical Components, Electrical Components, Electronics, Quality Management, Supplier Audits, Negotiation, Presentation Skills, Problem Solving, Process Improvement.

Why Join Us?

• Trilyon, Inc., offers a comprehensive benefits package.
• Opportunities for growth and professional development.
• Collaborative and inclusive company culture.

Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Statement:

Trilyon, Inc., is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion. We do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected status under applicable laws. Our diverse team drives innovation, competitiveness, and creativity, enhancing our ability to effectively serve our clients and communities. This commitment to diversity makes us stronger and more adaptable.