Regional Category Manager - Machines & Strategic Components NAA

Date Posted:
2026-03-16
Country:
United States of America
Location:
OT541: TFP - Florence, SC 1500 Otis Way, Florence, SC, 29501 USA

Would you like to join a truly international, talent driven company that values Safety, Ethics, Quality, Innovation and Employee Opportunity? Otis is seeking a strategic and results-driven Regional Category Manager to lead sourcing activities for elevator machines and critical strategic components across the NAA region. This includes (but is not limited to) traction machines, motors, encoders, ropes, belts, sheaves, terminations, safety-critical assemblies, and associated mechanical subsystems.

The successful candidate will develop and deploy the global category strategy in alignment with the Global Category team and the NAA Supply Chain Business Partner. The role provides full oversight of regional supplier selection, contract execution, supplier performance management (including Supplier Premier program), and cost optimization initiatives.

The candidate will be accountable for achieving ambitious productivity, quality, and supply assurance goals while managing risks in a highly technical and strategic supply base.

This is a unique opportunity to shape one of the most critical categories within Otis' global procurement organization, impacting safety, reliability, and competitiveness of the elevator product line. If you have a passion for strategic sourcing and procurement, and you are looking to make a significant impact in the mechanical category space, we invite you to apply today!

On a typical day you will be responsible for:

Category Strategy & Execution

• Develop and implement the regional sourcing strategy for Machines & Strategic Components (motors, gearless machines, encoders, ropes, belts, sheaves, terminations, etc.) in alignment with the global category strategy.
  
• Lead category deployment across NAA, ensuring harmonization of technical specifications, standards, and supplier strategy.
  
• Deliver annual productivity targets through competitive sourcing, cost-driver transparency (materials, labor, machining, winding processes, forging/casting, rope & belt manufacturing), and strategic negotiations.
  

Operational Support to Sites

• Provide operational support to NAA manufacturing and field sites for all machine and strategic component needs.
  
• Monitor supplier On-Time Delivery (OTD) and drive corrective actions to maintain supply continuity for safety-critical components.
  
• Ensure timely and accurate price updates in procurement systems in coordination with sourcing, finance, and local buyers.
  
• Enforce strict adherence to Otis procurement processes and governance (contracts, PO compliance, sourcing policies).
  
• Support sites on day-to-day supplier issues: quality deviations, machine failures, encoder reliability issues, rope/belt performance, capacity constraints, logistics delays, etc.
  
• Serve as the key escalation point for supply-critical incidents, coordinating with suppliers and internal teams to ensure rapid resolution.
  

Cost, Performance & Supply Base Management

• Manage the full supplier base for machines and strategic components, ensuring competitiveness, performance, and innovation.
  
• Conduct supplier business reviews and implement continuous improvement plans (cost, quality, delivery, sustainability).
  
• Negotiate contracts, prices, and terms using data-driven models, including should-cost analysis for motors, machining, forging, winding, and rope/belt construction.
  
• Drive standardization, consolidation opportunities, and long-term risk mitigation strategies in compliance with Otis policies.
  
• Ensure rigorous Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) management across component lifecycles.
  

Cross-Functional Leadership & Collaboration

• Collaborate with Engineering to align technical specifications, qualification requirements, and lifecycle strategies for machines, encoders, ropes, belts, and traction components.
  
• Support New Product Introduction (NPI) and transitions related to new machine technologies, materials, and safety-regulated components.
  
• Partner with Quality and Operations to resolve complex technical or performance issues and drive supplier development.
  

What you will need to be successful:

• Bachelor's degree in engineering or purchasing; Master's preferred
  
• 8+ years in procurement, category management, and team leadership
  
• Robust technical understanding of mechanical and electromechanical components, with experience in motors, ropes, or rotating machinery being highly advantageous
  
• Prefer experience in global, matrixed, industrial organizations
  
• Strong negotiation and contract management skills
  
• Proficient in Excel, procurement systems (JD Edwards, SAP, EDI), and cost modeling
  
• Ability to influence and collaborate across all organizational levels
  
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills; multicultural experience
  
• Able to travel up to 20% within the NAA region
  

Additional Comments:

Given the nature of the position, applicants must have authorization to work in the U.S. now and in the future without sponsorship.

What we offer:

• We offer a 401(k) plan with a generous company match and an automatic retirement contribution for your future financial security from day one of your employment, you and your eligible dependents will receive comprehensive medical, prescription drug, dental, and vision coverage.
  
  
• Enjoy three weeks of paid vacation, along with paid company holidays
  
  
• We provide paid sick leave, employee assistance, and wellness incentive programs to support your well-being.
  
  
• Life insurance and disability coverage to protect you and your family.
  
  
• Voluntary benefits, including options for legal, pet, home, and auto insurance.
  
  
• We offer generous birth/adoption and parental leave benefits, as well as adoption assistance, to support growing families.
  
  
• Pursue your educational goals with our tuition reimbursement program.
  
  
• Recognize and be recognized! We celebrate service anniversaries and offer spot performance bonus opportunities to show our appreciation.
  
  

If you live in a city, chances are we will give you a lift or play a role in keeping you moving every day.


Otis is the world's leading elevator and escalator manufacturing, installation, and service company. We move 2.4 billion people every day and maintain approximately 2.4 million customer units worldwide, the industry's largest Service portfolio.


You may recognize our products in some of the world's most famous landmarks including the Eiffel Tower, Empire State Building, Burj Khalifa and the Petronas Twin Towers! We are 72,000 people strong, including engineers, digital technology experts, sales, and functional specialists, as well as factory and field technicians, all committed to meeting the diverse needs of our customers and passengers in more than 200 countries and territories worldwide. We are proud to be a diverse, global team with a proven legacy of innovation that continues to be the bedrock of a fast-moving, high-performance company.


When you join Otis, you become part of an innovative global industry leader with a resilient business model. You'll belong to a diverse, trusted, and caring community where your contributions, and the skills and capabilities you'll gain working alongside the best and brightest, keep us connected and on the cutting edge.


We provide opportunities, training, and resources, that build leadership and capabilities in Sales, Field, Engineering and Major Projects and our Employee Scholar Program is a notable point of pride, through which Otis sponsors colleagues to pursue degrees or certification programs.


Today, our focus more than ever is on people. As a global, people-powered company, we put people - passengers, customers, and colleagues - at the center of everything we do. We are guided by our values that we call our Three Absolutes - prioritizing Safety, Ethics, Quality in all that we do. If you would like to learn more about environmental, social and governance (ESG) at Otis click here.


Become a part of the Otis team and help us #Buildwhatsnext!


Otis is An Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or veteran status, age, or any other protected class according to applicable law. To request an accommodation in completing an employment application due to a special need or a disability, please contact us at View email address on click.appcast.io.

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