Strategic Sourcing Category Manager

Job Description

Job Description

The Pittsburgh Paints Co. is seeking a results-driven Strategic Sourcing Category Manager to lead enterprise sourcing initiatives across key indirect spend categories. This role will partner with senior business leaders to develop category strategies, negotiate complex supplier agreements, mitigate supply risk, and deliver measurable value that improves PPC's profitability and operational performance. In addition to managing assigned sourcing categories, this role will also have responsibility to be the facility manager of our Cranberry Twp headquarters. 

Reporting to the Director of Procurement, you will have ownership of strategic sourcing initiatives from opportunity identification through implementation and supplier performance management. This position offers significant visibility across operations, supply chain, manufacturing, and corporate functions and provides an opportunity to help shape PPC's procurement transformation journey.

This is a hybrid position based in Cranberry Township, PA .

Key Responsibilities

• Own the development and execution of category strategies that deliver cost savings, cost avoidance, supplier performance improvements, and risk mitigation while supporting PPC's business objectives.
• Collaborate with Business Partners, Teams, and Procurement partners to understand requirements and drive sourcing strategies.
• Leverage e-sourcing and procurement technologies, including spend analytics tools, to execute RFIs, RFPs, reverse auctions, supplier evaluations, and strategic sourcing initiatives.
• Provide governance and oversight to ensure sourcing activities and purchasing decisions align with PPC procurement policies and category strategies.
• Identify and implement solutions to lead incremental cost reductions and cost avoidance opportunities through category knowledge by researching and understanding industry trends.
• Work with the relevant Teams to increase and implement bid projects that align with Operations Teams and other important functions strategic roadmap.
• Develop communication reviews with leadership, reviewing critical suppliers, upcoming projects and an understanding of the forward needs.
• Lead complex supplier negotiations involving pricing, commercial terms, service levels, risk mitigation, and long-term strategic partnerships.
• Partner with Category Managers to analyze spend data, identify sourcing opportunities, and support the development of category strategies.
• Develop and maintain spend analytics, dashboards, and reporting that provide visibility to procurement performance, supplier spend, and sourcing opportunities.
• Leverage procurement data, market intelligence, and supplier performance metrics to develop actionable recommendations and support business decisions.

Qualifications

• BA/BS degree in business, engineering, or related; OR equivalent combination of experience, skills, and expertise.
• 5 years of strategic sourcing experience with demonstrated success leading complex sourcing initiatives and supplier negotiations.
• Demonstrated capability in strategic sourcing, supplier negotiations, RFP management, supplier relationship management, and category strategy development.
• Strong capability in spend analysis, supplier analysis, and procurement reporting.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills including pivot tables, lookups, and data modeling.
• Must be able to travel 10-20% of the time

You will be successful if you:

• Think strategically while driving execution.
• Are motivated by finding opportunities to create value beyond price reductions.
• Can influence stakeholders without direct authority.
• Enjoy leading complex projects with cross-functional teams.
• Build strong supplier relationships while maintaining a results-oriented mindset.
• Use data and market intelligence to drive business decisions.

Why Join PPC?

• Opportunity to influence sourcing strategies across a leading coatings manufacturer.
• High visibility role partnering with senior leaders across the organization.
• Ability to shape supplier strategies and drive meaningful business results.
• Collaborative culture that values continuous improvement and innovation.
• Hybrid work environment based in Cranberry Township, PA.
• Opportunity for career growth within a transforming procurement organization.

Applicants must be authorized to work in the U.S. without employment-based visa sponsorship (now or in the future). This includes H-1B, L-1, TN, O-1, E-3, H-1B1, F-1, J-1, OPT, CPT or any other employment-based visas).