Category Leader, MRO

Category Leader, MRO

Work Mode: Onsite

Location:  Onsite, four days per week - Kohler, WI

Opportunity

Join Kohler Co. in a high-impact sourcing leadership role where you will shape strategy, influence operations, and deliver measurable business results across a complex North American manufacturing network. As Category Leader – MRO, you will own a portfolio of 3 to 4 MRO subcategories within a broader category structure of approximately 8 to 10 subcategories, with accountability for supplier strategy, sourcing execution, contract development, preferred supplier alignment, and total cost of ownership. This role supports annual category spend within a larger MRO portfolio of approximately $130M to $180M and typically owns $30M+ in spend, with opportunities to influence $70M to $80M in sourcing activity across multiple plants.

This is a strategic, visible, hands-on opportunity for a sourcing professional who thrives in fast-paced, large-scale environments and wants to make a direct mark on cost, service, supplier performance, and plant operations. You will lead end-to-end sourcing initiatives, build and optimize supplier partnerships, negotiate commercial terms that create value, and work closely with cross-functional stakeholders to deliver sustainable savings and operational improvements. With strong executive exposure, meaningful ownership, and the chance to influence how MRO sourcing is managed across the business, this role offers an exciting path for someone ready to grow their career while driving real change.

Specific Responsibilities

• Shape and execute category strategies for assigned MRO subcategories, delivering measurable cost savings, improved supplier performance, and stronger operational support across multiple Kohler plants.
  
  
• Leverage advanced expertise in OEM vs. distributor pricing and market dynamics, alongside deep command of global MRO supply networks across multiple regions and countries, to optimize sourcing strategies and deliver value
• Lead high-visibility, end-to-end sourcing events, from spend analysis and supplier market evaluation through negotiations, supplier selection, and implementation, with clear savings and performance targets.
• Own supplier relationships for key MRO categories, including contract strategy, preferred supplier alignment, commercial negotiations, and performance management that improve value, service, and supply continuity.
• Drive transformation in a complex MRO environment by balancing strategic sourcing initiatives with real-time issue resolution that keeps operations running effectively.
• Partner with plant leaders, operations, maintenance, procurement, finance, and executive stakeholders to influence decisions, align on strategy, and accelerate adoption of sourcing improvements.
• Modernize and optimize supplier networks through rationalization, negotiation, and commercial strategy to unlock cost, efficiency, and service improvements at scale.
• Turn complex, imperfect spend data into actionable insights and sourcing strategies that support smart decisions, stronger supplier choices, and sustainable savings.
• Lead multiple initiatives across sites, share best practices, and help shape the future of MRO sourcing within a business that values ownership, results, and continuous improvement.

Required Competencies

Strategic & Financial Management

• Experience managing $30M+ in annual expenditure, ideally within a broader MRO or industrial sourcing environment spanning multiple sites and stakeholders.
• Proven success leading large, high-value sourcing events and converting negotiations into realized savings and measurable business outcomes.
• Skilled in TCO-based sourcing, cost modeling, and multi-year category road mapping.
• Ability to bring structure to complex data, identify opportunities quickly, and translate analysis into sourcing strategies that create value.

Contracting & Commercial Acumen

• Strong commercial acumen with experience in contracting, negotiation, and supplier agreements that drive both savings and operational performance.
• Deep understanding of commercial levers including payment terms, invoice issue resolution, risk mitigation, and supplier compliance in partnership with finance and accounts payable.
• Ability to lead negotiations around safety stock, consignment, rebates, and performance guarantees.

Supplier Engagement & Performance Management

• Demonstrated ability to build strong supplier partnerships while driving accountability, performance, and continuous improvement across key categories.
• Skilled in driving supplier scorecards, QBRs, and KPI discipline (lead times, stockouts, pricing adherence).
• Ability to establish and scale preferred supplier programs across multiple plants while managing supplier/channel complexity and driving stakeholder adoption.
• Expertise in managing supplier escalations, corrective actions, and recovery plans.
  
  

Operational Partnership

• Track record of working effectively across operations, procurement, finance, planning, and leadership to move initiatives forward and deliver results.
• Proven success reducing controllable stockouts and improving SAP usage and data reliability.
• Capable of influencing stakeholders at plant, procurement, and executive levels to align on sourcing strategy, overcome resistance, and sustain change adoption.

Leadership, Ownership & Communication

• Brings a high level of ownership, initiative, and strategic thinking, with the confidence to lead through ambiguity and drive meaningful change.
  
  
• Clear, persuasive communicator with executive presence and the ability to present sourcing strategies and outcomes to senior leadership.
  
  
• Known for building credibility through strong negotiation skills, emotional intelligence, executive presence, and an engaging, collaborative style.

Technical & Systems Knowledge

• Strong analytical and Excel skills, including spend analysis and data interpretation, with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a structured way.
• Strong analytical capability to cleanse, normalize, segment, and interpret spend and supplier data to support decision-making and savings realization.
• Familiarity with MRO taxonomies, category structures, and global classification standards.

Skills/Requirements

• Minimum of a bachelor’s degree in business, Finance, Engineering, Materials Management, Supply Chain, or a related field is required. A master’s degree in business or a technical field is preferred.
• Minimum of seven (7) years of professional experience is required, including at least two (2) years in MRO or similar industrial categories. Candidates with experience in complex manufacturing, industrial distribution, plant operations, or strategic sourcing environments will be especially well-positioned for success.
• The ideal candidate brings experience leading strategic sourcing initiatives in complex environments, managing meaningful spend, influencing cross-functional teams, and turning data and supplier strategy into measurable business results.
• Regular travel across Kohler sites is expected.
  
  

Applicants must be authorized to work in the US without requiring sponsorship now or in the future.

We believe in supporting you from the moment you join us, which is why Kohler offers day 1 benefits. This means you’ll have access to your applicable benefit programs from your first day on the job, with no waiting period. The salary range for this position is $107,650 - $166,650. The specific salary offered to a candidate may be influenced by a variety of factors including the candidate’s experience, their education, and the work location. In addition, this position is eligible for a performance bonus/variable incentive compensation.

Why Choose Kohler?
We empower each associate to #BecomeMoreAtKohler with a competitive total rewards package to support your health and wellbeing, access to career growth and development opportunities, a diverse and inclusive workplace, and a strong culture of innovation. With more than 30,000 bold leaders across the globe, we’re driving meaningful change in our mission to help people live gracious, healthy, and sustainable lives.



About Us
It is Kohler’s policy to recruit, hire, and promote qualified applicants without regard to race, creed, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, national origin, disability or status as a protected veteran. If, as an individual with a disability, you need reasonable accommodation during the recruitment process, please contact . Kohler Co. is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.