Category Manager

Position Summary

DEPARTMENT: Operations

FLSA STATUS: EXEMPT

REPORTS TO: Director of Supply Chain Development

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Category Manager is responsible for developing and executing the supply chain strategy for assigned categories. While cultivating and nurturing strategic supplier relationships the Category Manager will own delivering profitability through driving negotiations, cost reductions, supplier quality, delivery, etc.

During the execution of the projects, the Category Manager supports the Procurement Buyers in defining the Supply Chain strategy for each project and monitoring the entire procurement process from specification to delivery of the goods and/or services.

CHARACTER QUALIFICATIONS:

• Innovation – We create a culture of relentless improvement of solutions and processes to make every day better.
• Integrity – We are open, honest, and committed to giving the straight story every time.
• Service - We serve our clients, families, communities, and most importantly our people who are empowered and safe in making decisions and taking actions that dare to make us better.
• Ownership - We take full, personal, individual responsibility for our actions and our work.
  
  
  

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

Develop, lead, and execute category strategies:

• Performing supply market research / identify/onboard potential new suppliers
• Developing category strategy by:
• Analyzing internal business needs
• Defining external supply market possibilities
• Understand supplier capabilities and capacity
• Identify/execute potential added value within category (e.g. cost savings)
• Agreeing on approach to capture added value
  
• Implementing category strategy (after approval by stakeholders)
• Drive supplier quality performance
• Drive supplier on time delivery
• Conduct and lead supplier QBR's (Quarterly Business Reviews)
• Identify and mitigate supply chain risk/gaps
• Negotiate/execute supply agreements
• Realizing added value for the business
• Ensure executed supply agreements are adhered to
  

Source one or more categories:

• Creating Program of Requirements (PoR)
• Setting selection and awarding criteria to assess suppliers and their proposals
• Developing RFP’s and supplier long list
• Assessing proposals
• Negotiating with suppliers
• Implement and manage framework contracts
  

Set up and lead a category team

Influence stakeholders

• Setting up the right team / representation
• Effective collaboration with stakeholders
• Garner alignment/support
• Gaining approval for category strategy
  

Improve continuously

• Identify opportunities and lead improving the process (sourcing and related processes);
• Benchmarking across projects and with other companies
• Provide analysis of commodity pricing trends, historical and forecasted product demand to use in supply agreements with key suppliers.
• Make recommendations to add or divest suppliers to the Approved Supplier List.
• Maintain supplier relationships.
• Monitoring / improving performance of suppliers (a.o. by information sharing with buyers and QA employees)
• Maintaining/creating associated SAP data to include material master item, entry of ERP Purchase Info Records, Source List, lead times, etc. to ensure all data is current and correct.
  
  
  

QUALIFICATIONS:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Bachelor's Degree in Industrial Engineering (or similar field) or Supply Chain preferred.
• Minimum of 5 years of relevant sourcing/procurement/supply chain experience required.
• Proven track record in negotiating, contracting, collaboration and organizational skills.
• Ability to influence internal stakeholders.
• Technical aptitude to successfully interface with Suppliers and internal Engineering team.
• Experience with ERP systems (SAP is preferred).
• Experience with Microsoft Office Suite (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote)
• ASCM Certification (CSCP, CPIM or related) is preferred.
• Comprehend common commercial terms and language relative to T&C and customer contract documents.
• Ability to read and interpret technical drawings and specifications.
• Capable of generating proposals which include relevant technical and commercial details.
• Exceptional verbal communication skills (spoken and listening).
• Ability to actively engage potential customers in open-ended questions in which needs are identified.
• Ability to work in an entrepreneurial organization where cooperating with others and being a team member is essential.
  
  
  

The above is intended to describe the general content of and the requirements for the performance of this position. It is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities, or requirements.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; and talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to stand and walk. The employee is occasionally required to sit and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 50lbs. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, and ability to adjust focus.
  
  
  

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

Fives Intralogistics is a manufacturer of automated sorting equipment. Employees of the company work in a light industrial environment and must follow established safety policies. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

TRAVEL:

This position requires limited business travel by airplane, car, and/or train and public transportation. International travel is also anticipated. The candidate must be capable of completing airplane trips of 10 or more hours. Overnight travel is estimated as 10% of the time.

• Employee must have a Valid driver’s license and the ability to work in North American countries.
• A valid passport (or the ability to obtain one) is required, as is the ability to obtain visas to visit foreign countries in which one is required.