Category Manager - Indirect Procurement & MRO

Category Manager – Indirect Procurement & MROThe Category Manager – Indirect Procurement & MRO is responsible for developing and executing strategic sourcing strategies that optimize cost, quality, service, supplier performance, and operational efficiency across assigned indirect procurement categories.This position has primary responsibility for Maintenance, Repair, and Operations (MRO) categories and supports the organization's indirect spend strategy across multiple manufacturing facilities. The Category Manager partners closely with Operations, Maintenance, Engineering, Finance, Plant Leadership, and other stakeholders to ensure reliable access to critical materials and services while driving cost savings, supplier consolidation, inventory optimization, standardization, and continuous improvement.The role requires strong strategic sourcing, negotiation, analytical, supplier relationship management, and project management capabilities within a complex manufacturing environment.Key ResponsibilitiesResponsibility - % of TimeDevelop and execute strategic sourcing strategies for assigned indirect and MRO categories. - 20%Identify and implement cost savings and cost avoidance initiatives. - 20%Lead supplier consolidation, rationalization, and standardization initiatives. - 15%Establish and manage Vendor Managed Inventory (VMI) programs. - 15%Negotiate contracts, pricing, rebates, and service agreements. - 10%Analyze spend, supplier performance, market conditions, and procurement trends. - 10%Lead sourcing projects and support capital, facility, and operational initiatives. - 10%Strategic Sourcing & Category ManagementDevelop and execute strategic sourcing initiatives for assigned indirect and MRO categories.Establish category strategies aligned with company cost, quality, service, and operational objectives.Develop sourcing plans based on spend, supplier capabilities, business requirements, and market conditions.Identify opportunities to consolidate spend and leverage enterprise-wide purchasing volume.Develop preferred supplier strategies for key indirect categories.Monitor market trends and supplier capabilities to identify opportunities and risks.Ensure sourcing strategies support plant and operational requirements.Cost Savings & Total Cost of OwnershipIdentify and implement cost savings and cost avoidance opportunities.Utilize:Strategic negotiationsCompetitive biddingSupplier rationalizationValue engineeringStandardizationTotal Cost of Ownership (TCO) analysisVolume leverageAnalyze spend and pricing trends to identify cost reduction opportunities.Develop annual cost savings objectives for assigned categories.Track and validate realized savings in partnership with Finance.Identify opportunities to reduce freight, inventory, transaction, and other procurement-related costs.Supplier Consolidation & StandardizationLead supplier consolidation initiatives to reduce supply base complexity.Identify opportunities to standardize MRO products, parts, materials, and services across facilities.Partner with Maintenance, Engineering, and Operations to reduce part proliferation.Develop preferred supplier and catalog strategies.Leverage enterprise-wide purchasing opportunities.Ensure supplier consolidation maintains or improves quality, service, availability, and pricing.Vendor Managed Inventory (VMI)Establish, implement, and manage Vendor Managed Inventory programs.Identify appropriate MRO categories and suppliers for VMI implementation.Establish inventory levels, replenishment requirements, and service expectations.Partner with suppliers and plant teams to ensure appropriate inventory availability.Monitor VMI performance and supplier compliance.Reduce inventory carrying costs while maintaining availability of critical materials.Develop and track VMI performance metrics.Contract & Commercial ManagementNegotiate pricing, contracts, service agreements, rebates, and long-term supply agreements.Manage commercial relationships with strategic suppliers.Ensure contracts support company requirements and business objectives.Monitor supplier contract compliance.Identify opportunities to improve pricing, payment terms, warranties, service levels, and other commercial conditions.Partner with Legal and Finance on significant supplier agreements.Maintain accurate supplier and contract documentation.Supplier Performance ManagementDevelop strong strategic relationships with key suppliers.Establish supplier performance expectations and KPIs.Manage supplier scorecards and business reviews.Monitor supplier performance related to:CostQualityDeliveryAvailabilityResponsivenessServiceAddress supplier performance issues and establish corrective action plans.Partner with Operations and Maintenance to resolve critical supply issues.Spend Analysis & Procurement AnalyticsAnalyze organizational spend across assigned indirect and MRO categories.Identify spending trends, sourcing opportunities, and contract compliance issues.Analyze supplier concentration and purchasing patterns.Monitor purchase price variance and market pricing.Develop category spend reports and dashboards.Provide data-driven recommendations to Procurement and business leadership.Track cost savings, cost avoidance, and procurement performance.RFP / RFQ / RFI ManagementLead Request for Proposal (RFP), Request for Quote (RFQ), and Request for Information (RFI) processes.Develop sourcing requirements in partnership with internal stakeholders.Evaluate supplier proposals based on cost, quality, service, capability, and risk.Lead supplier negotiations.Develop sourcing recommendations for leadership approval.Maintain documentation supporting sourcing decisions.Capital, Facility & Operational SupportSupport new facility, equipment, expansion, and capital projects.Source required indirect materials, MRO products, equipment, and services.Partner with Maintenance, Engineering, Operations, and Finance to develop sourcing strategies.Identify qualified suppliers and competitive alternatives.Support project timelines and budgets through effective procurement planning.Cross-Functional CollaborationThe Category Manager works closely with:Procurement / Strategic SourcingPlant LeadershipOperationsMaintenanceEngineeringFinanceSupply ChainInventory ControlLogisticsQualityITLegalSuppliers and Service ProvidersKey Performance Indicators (KPI)The Category Manager is accountable for:Cost & FinancialAnnual Cost SavingsCost AvoidancePurchase Price VarianceTotal Cost of Ownership ReductionSupplier Negotiation SavingsWorking Capital ImprovementSupplier PerformanceOn-Time Supplier DeliverySupplier QualitySupplier ResponsivenessSupplier Performance ScoreCorrective Action ClosureInventoryInventory ReductionInventory TurnsVMI PerformanceMRO Material AvailabilityInventory Carrying CostProcurementSupplier ConsolidationContract ComplianceProcurement Cycle TimeRFQ/RFP SavingsSpend Under ManagementDecision Making AuthorityAuthorized to Independent