SUMMARY The Category Manager will be responsible for developing and executing strategies required to plan, forecast, source, negotiate and implement the procurement of various corporate indirect goods and services necessary for the operation of the business unit or assigned projects from a strategic level. Potential categories of support may include Real Estate & Facilities, Transportation, Packaging Products, MRO, Store Operations, Information Technology, and others as assigned. Working with Procurement leadership, this role will create a long-term sustainable approach to integrate procurement best practices into all areas of corporate spending; ensuring adherence to industry standards, negotiating best in class pricing, maintain delivery schedules and other service level expectations driven by the business. In addition, this role may also take on active development and execution of new and /or improved enterprise-wide procurement process and policy implementations. JOB DUTIES Evaluate supplier qualifications, product/service specifications, and negotiate pricing to make cost effective comparisons and provide recommendations that align with company goals and ensure reliable supply at the lowest total landed cost. Oversee the preparation, review, and execution of procurement contracts for designated categories, ensuring compliance with legal and regulatory requirements. Participate in planning meetings and product/service evaluations with relevant stakeholders and recommend potential changes. Perform category profiling to influence sourcing strategies and initiatives, maximizing value, identifying and reducing risk to effectively manage the supply of goods and services. Gain and demonstrate knowledge on underlying commodity markets and understand pricing impacts. Research and maintain a current deep level understanding of the category, the current and potential supply base, the current and potential supply market, and internally to understand the current and future needs and wants of the organization and its stakeholders. Investigate and sustain an understanding of what the end customer needs and might want from our organization with respect to a specific category of spend. Identify and put in place appropriate SRM (Supplier Relationship Management) interventions to monitor supplier performance within designated categories, conducting regular reviews to maintain high standards of quality, delivery, service levels, and contract compliance. Keep a watchful eye on the market, environment and the changing needs of the business and identify when action is needed in response to any change in their category. Report progress ongoing against project milestones and benefits delivery. Assist Procurement leadership in coaching and development for Procurement Specialists. SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES This role will supervise Procurement Specialists including performance management. EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE Education Minimum: Bachelor's Degree in Project Management, Business, Finance, Supply Chain, Marketing, or equivalent Experience Minimum: 6 years in Professional Services sourcing and contracting experience. Experience Preferred: 8 years in Professional Services sourcing and contracting experience. Retail experience a plus. WORKING CONDITIONS Minimal travel required. KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES Excellent analytical, quantitative, written, and verbal communication skills Experience negotiating and/or interacting directly with external suppliers / business partners Fluent in understanding and negotiating basic terms and conditions associated with procurement of corporate service. Demonstrate strong organizational, multi-tasking/planning, and time management skills to meet multiple simultaneous deadlines. Contract management experience and familiarity with basic contract structures, key metrics and performance indicators, terms and conditions, etc. Experience owning select procurement categories and leading sourcing initiatives or projects Understands key components of procurement finance & metrics – cost savings vs avoidance, managed & preferred to spend, ROI calculations, Total Cost of Ownership, etc. Experience with e-Procurement and Contract Lifecycle tools Capability to work independently with attention to detail, accuracy, documentation, and follow-through. Ability to manage financial data in a confidential and professional manner. Knowledge and ability to proficiently use a PC along with MS Office Suite software, including advanced Excel skills. Proficiency in SAP and Coupa is a plus. #LI-ZH1 This position will be located at: 5555 Darrow Road Hudson, OH 44236 Eligibility for benefits and incentives is dependent upon employment status. JOANN offers the following benefits and incentives to eligible Team Members: Medical, Dental and Vision benefit plans Company-paid basic, Optional, and Dependent life insurance Long-term disability and Company-paid Short-term disability Paid Time Off and Sick Time 401(k) Retirement Plan with an employer % match and Employee Stock Purchase Plan Tuition Reimbursement Team Member Discount For more details on benefits and eligibility requirements, Click Here or visit https://joann.myben.site/ . JOANN is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. This job summary is intended to be brief and does not list all duties for this position. Nothing in this job description should be construed as an express or implied contract of employment. JOANN is an at-will employer, which means that your employment may be terminated by JOANN or yourself with or without notice or cause unless the at-will arrangement is modified by a written agreement signed by both you and and authorized representative of JOANN. JOANN is committed to providing our Team Members with a benefits program that promotes Physical, Financial, and Emotional Wellbeing. Click Here to explore all that JOANN has to offer. JOANN is a creative and dynamic company buzzing with energy and passion for inspiring creativity to help our customers find their happy place. Rooted in Cleveland since 1943, we are now more than 870 stores strong, and continue to grow as a company and a brand during this exciting time for our industry. A career at JOANN offers you the chance to stand out, collaborate creatively with cross-functional team, and enjoy both personal and professional growth. Creativity is in our DNA. All creative thinkers take risks. They rely on instincts others don't have. They take leaps of faith without safety nets. And they have a vision others don't see. Our founders were just these sort of thinkers. In 1943, Hilda and Berthold Reich sold cheese and fancy-foods in Cleveland when their friends asked them to consider selling fabric. Without the Reichs' courage to take the leap of faith needed to re-invent themselves, the Cleveland Fabric Shop would never have been born, let along grow into the largest fabric and craft retailer in the country. We're proud of this history, and are looking for creative thinkers, risk-takers, and other people with vision to join our team and help carry on the tradition of helping people make things with their minds, hands and, hearts. California Privacy Rights Act