Category Manager

Position Overview

The Direct Materials Category Manager is responsible for the strategy and commercial performance of approximately $100 million in annual non-resin direct-material spend across the Americas supporting 6manufacturing facilities. Reporting to the Director of Sourcing, this position leads cross-functional category governance and recommends supplier awards, commercial strategies, and risk-mitigation actions within established policies and delegated authority.

Category scope includes finished and semi-finished goods, woven and nonwoven materials, additives, colorants, and packaging. The position applies supply-market intelligence, cost-driver analysis, commodity insights, and emerging technology trends to develop and execute short- and long-term category strategies. Key objectives include optimizing total cost, delivering measurable savings, strengthening supplier performance, mitigating supply risk, and supporting material planning and business continuity.

Key Responsibilities

• Category Management: Develop, execute, and continuously refine multi-year category strategies with quantified savings targets, cost driver transparency, and clear execution roadmaps tied to business objectives.

• Supplier Management: Actively rationalize and manage the supplier base, challenging incumbents, introducing competition, and holding suppliers accountable to cost, service, and productivity commitments.

• Negotiation: Lead complex, high-impact negotiations to secure favorable pricing, terms, and service levels, including long-term agreements, index-based pricing, and cost validation, while ensuring supplier compliance and performance standards.

• Market Analysis: Own supply market intelligence and continuously monitor industry, commodity, and competitive trends, leveraging cost models, market benchmarks, and external insights to inform decisions, challenge cost increases, and protect margins.

• Cost Optimization: Implement cost reduction initiatives and value engineering programs to improve overall profitability and cost competitiveness.

• Risk Management: Proactively identify and mitigate supply chain risks to ensure uninterrupted material availability and minimize disruptions.

• Quality Assurance: Collaborate with quality assurance teams to maintain and improve product quality and compliance with industry standards.

• Collaboration: Partner with production, engineering, R&D, and quality teams to support innovation, product development, and operational efficiency

Qualifications and Skills

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Business, Engineering, Finance, or a related field; equivalent combination of education and relevant experience will be considered

• Minimum 8-10 years of progressive strategic sourcing, category management, or procurement leadership experience within a manufacturing environment.

• Demonstrated experience developing and executing category strategies, leading complex supplier negotiations, and managing high-value direct material spend on a regional or global scale.

• Documented, repeatable track record of delivering material, audited cost savings (e.g., 5-8%+ annually) through strategic sourcing and negotiations.

• Strong understanding of global trade economics, commodity markets, and cost drivers.

• Demonstrated ability to operate as an independent business owner, prioritizing opportunities, managing stakeholders, and delivering results with limited oversight.

• Exceptional analytical and problem-solving skills.

• Advanced skills in Excel, Power BI, Tableau, and other Procurement analytics tools

• Executive-level communication skills, with the ability to clearly present savings, risks, and decisions to senior leadership.

• A commitment to upholding ethical and professional standards.