Sourcing Category Manager

Job Summary This position is responsible for managing purchases of 500-750 unique items, focusing on best-cost negotiations, consistent and stable supply of goods while reducing risk to Medline. This person will provide insights on geo-political risks impacting costs and work on solutions globally to reduce risks while finding the next low-cost options. The role involves close collaboration with product management teams for new product launches and the development of sourcing strategies to optimize costs. This person's responsibilities include negotiating favorable terms with suppliers, managing product categories, resolving quality issues, and evaluating sourcing strategies for both domestic and international suppliers. Manage a mix of both finished goods, manufacturing inputs, and raw materials to drive value and enhance GM for target commodities. Job Description Job Responsibilities: Manage direct spend categories to drive to best-cost, supply continuity and reducing risk. Negotiate favorable terms, volume discounts and long-term contracts with suppliers and vendor partners. Leader and owner of category management driving key vendor conversations. Provide strategic insights on Global and geopolitical changes impacting tariffs, raw materials and regulatory requirements. (Tariff rates, new laws, and natural resources). Define strategies to overcome obstacles driving higher costs and supply instability. Provide high-level product expertise on all managed categories including raw material inputs, manufacturing techniques, key vendors. Provide guidance and recommend actions to reduce costs based continuous improvement processes within Manufacturing, raw material changes, or other cost-down initiatives. Understand how Medline product compares to the competition. Manage supplier relationships to secure cost reductions through effective negotiation on pricing and product development opportunities. Contribute to the creation of long-term vendor contracts, rebate plans, growth incentives to drive cost efficiency and year over year cost savings. Review analysis from the Global Sourcing Operations team on vendor and supplier price increases, evaluating their net impact against rebates. Develop and implement negotiation tactics to mitigate price hikes, utilizing Medline’s volume, sourcing tools, and exploring options such as dual sourcing or engaging new global vendors. Develop and execute a risk profile for each sourced country. Consider multiple country sourcing, dual sourcing, and geopolitical factors. Recommend vendors based on that strategic risk assessment Manage a broad mix of product categories and become the subject matter expert on product requirements, manufacturing processes, raw materials, and other key value drivers. Analyze and evaluate cost inputs to contribute to cost optimization efforts and drive best-cost outcomes for Medline. Evaluate sourcing strategies for domestic versus import suppliers, assessing factors such as cost, quality, and lead time. Conduct Make vs. Buy analysis for sourced products to identify the most cost-effective and efficient solutions. Assist in the creation and implementation of a global sourcing strategy to drive vendor performance. Including vendor allocation optimization, re-sourcing and cost containment/reductions for assigned categories. Provide insights based on market research and supplier performance to help optimize the strategy. Identify new cost-savings opportunities within the product category to drive GM growth. Support the identification and implementation of Medline-branded opportunities and assist in negotiating long-term deals with both domestic and import suppliers to secure favorable pricing and terms. Work collaboratively with Supply Chain, Quality and Product Management teams to maintain and develop vendors and products to reduce supply risk and ensure a healthy supply chain. Manage activity for Medline part and vendors numbers. Establish new part numbers for supplier moves, packaging optimization and PIR's. Work closely with the reorder buying group to address ongoing issues with problem suppliers when initial communication efforts have failed. Help analyze the situation, gather necessary data, and facilitate discussions to find resolutions and improve supplier performance. Travel required up to 10%, including domestic and international travel. Minimum Job Requirements: Education Bachelor’s degree. Work Experience At least 2-3 years of sourcing experience. Knowledge / Skills / Abilities Experience leading category strategies, supplier relationship management, sourcing initiatives. Experience negotiating with outside vendors, including negotiating contracts, prices and reconciling differences. Experienced in documenting procedures and internal controls. Experience analyzing and reporting data in order to identify issues, trends, or exceptions to drive improvement of results and find solutions. Experience controlling and coordinating concurrent projects, competing priorities and critical deadlines. Ability to work across multiple time zones and locations. Preferred Qualifications: Fluent in Spanish International sourcing experience Medline Industries, LP, and its subsidiaries, offer a competitive total rewards package, continuing education & training, and tremendous potential with a growing worldwide organization. The anticipated salary range for this position: $85,000.00 - $128,000.00 Annual The actual salary will vary based on applicant’s location, education, experience, skills, and abilities. This role is bonus and/or incentive eligible. Medline will not pay less than the applicable minimum wage or salary threshold. Our benefit package includes health insurance, life and disability, 401(k) contributions, paid time off, etc., for employees working 30 or more hours per week on average. For roles where employees work less than 30 hours per week, benefits include 401(k) contributions, paid time off, as well as access to the Employee Assistance Program, Employee Resource Groups and the Employee Service Corp. For a more comprehensive list of our benefits please click here. We’re dedicated to creating a Medline where everyone feels they belong and can grow their career. We strive to do this by seeking diversity in all forms, acting inclusively, and ensuring that people have tools and resources to perform at their best. Explore our Belonging page here. Medline Industries, LP is an equal opportunity employer. Medline evaluates qualified individuals without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, neurodivergence, protected veteran status, marital or family status, caregiver responsibilities, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws. Through our culture of belonging, our agile and resilient global team is determined to get our customers exactly what they need, at the right time, every time. If you’re a self-starter, eager to grow your career within a high-performing environment, this is the place for you. Introduce yourself to our recruiters and we'll get in touch if there's a role that seems like a good match. Medline is the largest provider of medical-surgical products and supply chain solutions serving all points of care. Through its broad product portfolio, resilient supply chain and leading clinical solutions, Medline helps healthcare providers improve their clinical, financial and operational outcomes. Headquartered in Northfield, Illinois, the company employs more than 43,000 people worldwide and operates in more than 100 countries and territories. To learn more about how Medline makes healthcare run better, visit