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Category Manager

Sun Communities & Sun Outdoors
Southfield, MI Full Time
POSTED ON 12/8/2025 CLOSED ON 6/3/2026

What are the responsibilities and job description for the Category Manager position at Sun Communities & Sun Outdoors?

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Job Summary

Sun's Category Manager leads the development and execution of our supply chain strategy through utilization of sourcing and procurement disciplines, collaboration, and communication, and the ability to develop suppliers and solutions which meet Sun's supply chain needs. The Category Manager is responsible for handling more complex, and challenging categories, such as services which may require regional solutions.

Job Duties

  • Manages more complex, challenging categories, including services, and develops deep knowledge of the categories assigned to develop sourcing strategies which consider market trends, business objectives, the full supply chain and total cost of ownership (Essential)
  • Provides mentoring to other Sourcing & Procurement team members while contributing to Sun's approach to supply chain management (Essential)
  • Impacts purchasing behavior by ensuring established suppliers support Sun performance expectations, data requirements, and procurement strategy. Works to build solutions which make valued supply partnerships available to Sun stakeholders (Essential)
  • Collaborates with Sun stakeholders to identify and pursue product and service opportunities, including product standardization and process efficiency (Essential)
  • Leads cross-functional sourcing efforts, including RFI, RFQ, RFP that meet business objectives, ensuring effective communication across the organization (Essential)
  • Negotiates agreements with key suppliers, factoring in all aspects of a successful partnership, including cost and terms of supply, service, and quality (Essential)
  • Analyzes and calculates product/service and procurement costs and develop cost reduction strategies (Essential)
  • Assists in process development and implementation of supplier onboarding into Sun's Procurement Platform; oversees activities such as data cleansing, process standardization, and catalog content creation. (Essential)
  • Coordinates team member selection and development and ensures team members comply with appropriate policies and procedures.
  • Ensures effective implementation of sourced products, services, and supplier programs by utilizing sound project and change management disciplines
  • Manages supplier performance ensuring focus on total value, including quality, service responsiveness, process efficiency and cost. Elicits feedback on supplier performance from community team members
  • Identifies and escalates critical external relationships that could affect the supply chain, planning, and decision-making
  • Ensures compliance with Sourcing and Procurement policies and best practices
  • Leads in the design and implementation of effective and efficient procurement processes and tools
  • Other special projects, as assigned

Requirements

  • Bachelor's Degree in Supply Chain Management or related field (Required)
  • In lieu of the above education requirements, a combination of experience and education will be considered.
  • 8 years in relative sourcing and procurement experience (Required)
  • A collaborative team member who personifies hospitality and has a passion for people
  • Analytical mindset able to solve problems effectively and creatively with superb leadership and communication skills
  • Customer focused; Ability to identify / solicit key stakeholder needs and develop solutions to address their needs
  • Conscientious self-starter, with a work attitude that exhibits flexibility, initiative, good judgment, and dependability
  • Continuous improvement mindset with strong knowledge and experience with the development and deployment of sourcing and procurement processes and systems
  • Advanced ability to collaborate and negotiate while maintaining a high level of professionalism and integrity
  • Willingness to travel to develop, promote, and maintain strategic sourcing relationships
  • Willingness to work overtime or weekends on occasion, when required
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including presentations
  • Collaborative team member who personifies hospitality and has a passion for people

Benefits

At Sun Communities, you will be part of an industry-leading organization where you will be challenged, inspired, rewarded and transformed. We place a high priority on our team members, and this is a big part of what sets us apart. We will ask you to give us your very best every day, and will challenge you with interesting work, stretch assignments, a collaborative and supportive work environment and plenty of learning and growth. In exchange, we will reward you with great pay, advancement opportunities, paid time off, great benefits, and flexibility.

  • Comprehensive Medical and Prescription coverage with 4 plan options so you can choose the plan that best meets the needs of you and your family
  • Comprehensive Dental and Vision Plans
  • On-Site Fitness Center
  • Voluntary Health and Dependent Care Reimbursement Accounts
  • Life, Accidental Death & Dismemberment Insurance and Dependent Life
  • Short and Long-Term Disability Coverage
  • 401(k) Plan with Sun matching contribution
  • Employee Assistance Program
  • Identity Theft Insurance
  • Legal Assistance Plan
  • Pet Insurance
  • Tuition Reimbursement program providing financial support to team members who further their formal education
  • Vacation RV Site Discounts for team members when visiting SunRV Resorts across the nation
  • Team Member Perks & Discounts program with hundreds of discounts on things like travel, merchandise, mobile phone service, and more
  • Up to six weeks of paid parental leave for the birth of a child, adoption, or placement of a child
  • Paid Time Off including ten holidays, vacation, personal, sick time, bereavement and pay for jury duty

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