Category Manager - Indirect (Supply Chain)

Role Description

As the Category Manager - Indirect (Supply Chain), you will own and evolve end-to-end sourcing strategies across freight and logistics categories, partnering closely with cross-functional stakeholders to drive cost savings, service improvements, and risk-smart supplier relationships. This role offers the opportunity to directly influence the bottom line and shape how supply chain partners support the business.

• Executes strategic sourcing strategies, best practices, and initiatives that support improvements in supplier quality, total cost effectiveness, enhanced service levels, improved coordination, delivery, pricing, payment terms, risk compliance and other areas as identified.
• Executes indirect procurement category sourcing strategies including the development and execution of RFXs, requirements gathering, development of supplier selection criteria, and supplier negotiations all in collaboration with cross-functional teams.
• Executes freight bids for ocean and air using TenderEasy.
• Actively seeks ways to streamline business processes; researches and provides information on industry category trends and best practices; and leverages market tools and benchmarks to inform decision making.
• Develops negotiation strategies, gains alignment from stakeholders, leads cross-functional, category-based negotiation teams, and implements appropriate supplier risk analysis. Directly negotiates with suppliers.
• Uses spend data and business knowledge to identify sourcing projects for individual sub-categories and develops an overall multi-year plan.
• Manages category performance by adhering to savings goals, business objectives, and supplier management.
• Ability to forge close working relationships throughout the company and use influence and persuasion skills to drive results.
• Prepares business cases, including ROI models and effectively presents cost savings proposals to appropriate parties for approval and qualification.
• Ensures purchasing compliance with legal, financial, and regulatory requirements (e.g., JSOX).
• Advocates and adheres to global procurement policies and procedures.
• Supports other indirect spend categories, including Professional Services, IT, and Facilities, to ensure continuity of Strategic Category Management activities when workload balancing is required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential functions of the job may be considered.
• Master’s degree preferred.
• Minimum 8 years’ experience in Procurement or category management, preferably in multi-national company and across multiple categories of spend.
• Track record in successfully managing all aspects of an indirect supply chain category.
• Knowledge of contractual terms and conditions, and provisions specific to supply chain agreements.
• Solid knowledge of the logistics industry across all freight modes and supplier base.
• Demonstrated sourcing experience developing and leading RFx’s and negotiating with suppliers.
• Proficient in sourcing and category management concepts, practices, and procedures.
• Proven critical thinking, analytics ability, and business acumen.
• Demonstrated comprehensive understanding of business requirements and category ownership having created categories strategies with sound analytics.
• Excellent understanding of contracts and contract management.
• Track record for achieving savings that impact the bottom line.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and possess the ability to thrive in a continuous improvement environment.

Requirements

• Strong communication skills and ability to communicate at all levels of the organization.
• Ability to move seamlessly from tactical to strategic tasks.
• Must have a keen eye for detail, provide insights based on market conditions and trends, optimize value from/with suppliers.
• Excellent analytical, leadership, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to develop and execute negotiation strategies. Strong negotiation and contracting skills.
• Proactive, results-oriented, reliable, persuasive and an excellent team player.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite, with strong Excel skills.
• Demonstrated ability to interact with diplomacy and tact while maintaining appropriate assertiveness and persistence.
• Proven ability to positively persuade and influence decision making, at all levels in the organization.
• Ability to prioritize well and maintain appropriate balance in a fast-paced, heavy-workload environment.

Benefits

• Competitive total reward offerings that consist of compensation, benefits, recognition, along with a wealth of other well-being, work-life and recognition programs.
• Multiple group medical, dental and vision plans.
• Robust wellness program.
• Life insurance and disability coverages.
• Variety of voluntary programs such as group accident, hospital indemnity, critical illness, pet insurance and much more.
• 401(k) plan with a matching contribution.
• Vacation and sick time programs for associates.