Procurement Category Manager

Procurement Category Manager

Our client a leading manufacturing organization is looking to hire a Procurement Category Manager to support strategic purchasing, supplier management, and cost optimization across a variety of operational categories. This role will be responsible for managing sourcing initiatives, evaluating suppliers, coordinating purchasing activity, and identifying opportunities to improve cost, quality, and supply continuity. The ideal candidate is a strategic procurement professional who can manage multiple priorities, navigate established processes, and communicate confidently with both internal stakeholders and senior leadership.

Compensation: $90,000–$100,000

Benefits: Medical, dental, and vision insurance

Location: South Holland, IL

Work Model: Onsite

Employment Type: Full-Time

What's the Job?

• Manage purchasing and sourcing activity across multiple operational categories, including materials, supplies, and packaging.
• Lead several sourcing and RFP initiatives simultaneously while balancing competing priorities and deadlines.
• Evaluate suppliers, pricing, market conditions, and cost drivers to support purchasing decisions.
• Coordinate purchase orders and supplier activity to help maintain consistent material availability.
• Partner with internal teams to understand requirements, resolve supplier issues, and support business needs.
• Maintain strong supplier relationships and participate in negotiations around pricing, service, quality, and terms.
• Work within established procurement systems and processes while identifying opportunities to improve efficiency.
• Communicate recommendations, sourcing updates, and business impacts to senior stakeholders.
• Analyze purchasing activity and identify opportunities for savings, process improvements, and stronger supplier performance.
• Collaborate with operations and other stakeholders to support purchasing needs across multiple facilities.
• Travel periodically to support business and supplier-related activities.

What's Needed?

• Experience managing multiple sourcing, RFP, or procurement initiatives at the same time.
• Background in strategic sourcing, purchasing, procurement, or category management.
• Experience working within established procurement, ERP, or purchasing systems.
• Strong understanding of supplier pricing, cost drivers, and purchasing decisions.
• Ability to prioritize effectively in a fast-paced environment with competing deadlines.
• Strong communication skills and the confidence to interact with senior-level stakeholders.
• Professional presence with strong critical-thinking and problem-solving abilities.
• Experience negotiating with suppliers and managing vendor relationships.
• Strong analytical and organizational skills with excellent attention to detail.
• Bachelor's degree preferred.
• Manufacturing, food production, or consumer products experience is a plus.
• Experience working across multiple procurement categories is preferred.

What's in It for Me?

• Own meaningful sourcing and procurement initiatives across multiple categories.
• Work directly with cross-functional teams and senior leadership.
• Opportunity to influence supplier strategy, purchasing decisions, and cost improvement.
• Exposure to multiple areas of procurement rather than a single commodity.
• Join an established manufacturing organization with opportunities to improve existing processes.
• Medical, dental, and vision benefits.
• Opportunity to grow within a strategic procurement function.

LaSalle Network is an Equal Opportunity Employer m/f/d/v.