Category Leader - Decatur, IL

Category Leader - Decatur, IL

The MRO Services Category Leader is responsible for developing and executing sourcing strategies, supplier performance programs, and cost optimization initiatives across Maintenance, Repair, and Operations (MRO) service categories. This role drives stakeholder alignment, manages key supplier relationships, and ensures compliance with internal policies and operational requirements. The ideal candidate combines deep market knowledge with strong procurement, contract negotiation, and strategic leadership skills. A primary focus of this role is the strategic management of contractor labor categories, including time-and-materials (T&M) rate structures, per diem models, and other variable labor arrangements. The Category Manager partners closely with Operations, EHS, Legal, HR, and Finance to align procurement strategies with operational, safety, and financial objectives. It requires strong leadership, influencing capability, and ownership for delivering measurable value, ensuring contract compliance, and driving supplier performance. The ideal candidate brings hands-on experience negotiating and managing contractor labor agreements, with a strong understanding of labor rate structures, governance, compliance requirements, and performance management.

Job Responsibilities:

1. Lead global and regional sourcing strategies for MRO service categories, including contractor labor, facility services, logistics, and engineering.
2. Act as a single point of accountability for up to 15 MRO subcategories, ensuring consistent leverage of scale and spend.
3. Collaborate closely with operations, finance, safety, HR, and compliance teams to align procurement strategies with business needs.
4. Manage total cost of ownership (TCO) through negotiation, demand management, and process improvement initiatives.
5. Analyze supplier responses and make data-driven sourcing recommendations; serve as the prime negotiator on pricing, terms, service, and other business requirements.
6. Support the development and execution of digital procurement solutions, including contractor timekeeping systems and e-sourcing platforms.
7. Evaluate market intelligence, historical spend data, and business goals to identify sourcing opportunities and mitigate risks.
8. Oversee supplier performance management through KPIs, scorecards, quarterly business reviews, and corrective action planning.
9. Ensure compliance with legal, safety, and operational standards through structured contractor onboarding and governance processes.
10. Develop and maintain a robust contractual framework in collaboration with Legal, including service-level agreements and KPIs.
11. Establish a communication and stakeholder engagement plan to ensure visibility into sourcing initiatives and business value delivered.
12. Act as a procurement change agent, promoting Procurement's role as a value-adding business partner.

Required Competencies: Business/Technology

• Understanding of fixed and cost-plus labor rate structures
• Commercial skills and familiarity with contract law
• Competent in financial analysis
• Customer solutions focused
• Proven negotiations skills
• Skilled in cost/benefit analysis and alternative decision making
• Technology adept (eProcurement and P2P systems, standard Office Suite such as Excel, Word, and Power Point)
• Capacity to develop advanced strategies
• Ability to manage multiple projects and tasks efficiently and thoroughly
• Global awareness (culture, currencies, geography, political)
• Continuous Improvement

Interpersonal Skills

• Communications (oral/written)
• Ability to influence and lead outcome
• Forward, visionary thinker
• Skilled at relationship management, with internal and external partners
• Team oriented

Educational and Experience Requirements:

• A Bachelor's degree in Business, Finance, or related field is preferred but not required. Equivalent professional experience will be considered.
• Strong, hands-on procurement experience is required, including sourcing, contract negotiation, supplier management, and stakeholder engagement.
• Minimum of eight (8) years professional work experience with four (4) years in purchasing for global companies
• In-depth understanding of various contracting models is strongly desired
• Certified Professional of Supply Management (CPSM) certification a plus.

Excited about this role but don't think you meet every requirement listed? We encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this role or another one of our openings. ADM requires the successful completion of a background check. REF:107629BR