Category Manager

Category Manager

A Category Manager in Procurement at AAR is responsible for owning one or multiple procurement categories from end to end. These end-to-end ownership responsibilities include (but are not limited to) strategic sourcing, conducting RFPs, direct negotiations with potential suppliers, supplier risk assessment, supplier selection, and contracting. A category manager is also responsible for proactive stakeholder management with Business Unit leaders and General Managers at different AAR sites to fulfill all of their category needs and for ensuring that the sites receive quality goods and services on time and at the right cost. Developing new and maintaining existing supplier relationships is also core to the category manager role.

The ideal candidate has prior hands-on sourcing and contracts experience and is comfortable working with spend management software such as Coupa, Infor SCM, SAP Ariba or Zycus, analysis tools such as MS Excel, and BI tools such as Power BI and Tableau, to support supplier strategy and sourcing decisions in a fast-paced environment. This position is based at our Corporate Headquarters in Wood Dale, IL, with a planned relocation to the Merchandise Mart (Chicago) in early 2027.

Own multi-year sourcing strategy and program management for the following categories: Real Estate (including leases, renewals, extensions, small-scale buildouts, etc.), Large-scale Buildouts and CapEx, Plant Supplies, and other indirect categories.

Lead RFPs, supplier negotiations, and award recommendations, ensuring alignment with cost targets, capacity constraints, quality requirements, and contractual terms.

Evaluate sourcing options using a Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) framework to support informed supplier selection decisions.

Monitor supplier performance against cost, quality, delivery, turnaround, and capacity commitments. Identify various potential supplier risks such as financial, cyber security, regulatory, legal, etc. Lead supplier performance reviews and continuous improvement initiatives.

Work closely with Business Unit Stakeholders / Leaders, Operations, CI, Legal, Risk, and Finance teams to align Procurement with operational and customer requirements. Work with Suppliers and internal teams to lead contract reviews, pricing agreements, and service-level terms informed by Business Unit requirements.

Interpret historical demand data to inform sourcing strategies, supplier capacity discussions and volume-based or long-term agreements. Demonstrate working knowledge of time-series concepts such as trend, seasonality, variability, and forecast error. Use Microsoft Excel for raw spend data analysis, RFP response analysis, etc. Develop and maintain BI dashboards (Power BI, Tableau, or similar) to track KPIs including cost savings, contract coverage, and contract performance. Translate analytical insights into clear, actionable recommendations for sourcing and operations leadership.

Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, Engineering, Data Analytics or related field. 4-5 years of experience in strategic sourcing, procurement or supply chain roles. Experience using spend management software (Coupa, SAP Ariba, Zycus). Experience using BI tools (Power BI, Tableau). Proficiency with computer-based applications, such as Microsoft Office suite products. Masters degree preferred. Experience in Real Estate, Project Management, and / or CapEx a plus. Experience in aviation MRO, aerospace aftermarket, or similarly regulated environments preferred. Professional certification (CPSM, CSCP, CIPS) a plus. Experience or familiarity with mergers and acquisitions is a plus.

The rewards of your career at AAR go far beyond just your salary: Competitive salary and bonus package Comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, and vision coverage. 401(k) retirement plan with company match Generous paid time off program Professional development and career advancement opportunities

Compensation: The anticipated salary range for this position is $105,000 to $135,000 annually. This range reflects the base salary for candidates who meet the requirements of the role, including experience, education, and location. In addition to base pay, this role is eligible for a 15% bonus. AAR offers a competitive benefits package, including medical/dental/vision/life/and AD&D insurance, 401(k) savings plan with employer match, paid time off and holiday pay, as well as opportunities for professional development and growth.