Category Manager - Indirect

Job Summary:

TI Automotive is seeking a Strategic Sourcing Buyer – Indirect Categories (Packaging & Corporate Services) to join our team. In this role, you will lead procurement strategies for packaging materials and corporate services, ensuring cost efficiency, supply assurance, and sustainability. You will develop category strategies, negotiate contracts, and build strong supplier partnerships to deliver year-over-year savings and operational excellence. This position requires a proactive leader with deep market insight, strong analytical skills, and the ability to collaborate across engineering, production, and corporate functions to support product launches and continuous improvement initiatives.

Job Responsibilities:

• This position is responsible for managing Indirect categories – Packaging and Corporate Services.
• Strategic Sourcing: Develop and implement regional category strategies for packaging (corrugated, returnable packaging, dunnage, pallets, crates, protective packaging, labeling, etc.).
• Monitor market trends, raw material indices (paper, plastics, wood, steel), and assess risk exposure.
• Supplier Management: Build and maintain strong supplier relationships to ensure consistent material availability and performance.
• Conduct regular business reviews with key suppliers to monitor performance (cost, quality, delivery, service, sustainability).
• Negotiations: Lead supplier negotiations on pricing, contracts, and terms to optimize total cost of ownership.
• Cost Management: Drive cost reduction initiatives, report on material costs, and manage pricing structures and cost models that align with internal forecasts and budgets.
• Deliver year-over-year cost savings and productivity improvements for the packaging category.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work closely with Engineering and Production teams to understand technical requirements and timelines, and support product launches by ensuring timely procurement of specified resins and materials.
• Risk Mitigation and Supply Assurance: Identify supply chain risks and maintain dual sourcing strategies and inventory buffers where needed.
• Data and Reporting: Maintain accurate procurement records, supplier performance metrics, and commodity dashboards.
• Communication: Provide regular updates and strategic insights to senior leadership on commodity market outlooks and procurement performance.
• Compliance: Ensure all procurement activities comply with company policies, industry regulations, and environmental standards.
• Sustainability: Support sustainability initiatives by sourcing eco-friendly or recycled resin alternatives when applicable.
• Flexibility: This position supports Plant and Corporate Indirect Purchases and may also be required to support other categories as needed.

Skills and Competencies:

• Strong knowledge of MRO and Indirect materials procurement.
• Proven track record in supplier negotiation, cost management, and contract management.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to navigate/ influence stakeholders across Operations, IT, HR, among others.
• Analytical mindset with the ability to interpret market data and make data-driven decisions.
• Proficiency in ERP systems and procurement tools (e.g., SAP, Ariba, Coupa).
• Understanding of sustainability practices and regulatory requirements in the automotive industry.

Behavioral Expectations:

• Safety-First: A safety-first mindset is a proactive approach to safety, where all employees keep an eye out for safety issues and avoid potentially dangerous situations which could likely cause danger, risk, or injury. This also means that everyone has responsibility for safety regardless of role, level, title, or job.
• Continuous Improvement: Always looking for ways we can improve and standardize our work even when everything is going well. By doing so, it will drive consistent progress toward improved business performance and will tap into people’s desire to be the best at what they do.
• Compliant: Employee compliance is achieved when workers are familiar with all the laws that govern their industry or job and know how to conduct business in an ethical manner. It often requires procedural training and encouragement to learn from mistakes.
• Driving Results: Identify specific purpose, goal, or destination and prioritize making progress toward it. Focus discussions on what you want to achieve and why. Everyone knows their role and is accountable for driving their work to achieve a common goal.
• ONE Team: One team means being part of a group that shares strong relationships, trust, respect, and a common vision for what “good” looks like. One team means supporting and relying on one another to achieve and drive business priorities and meet customer commitments.

Job Qualifications:

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Engineering, or a related field is required.
• Relevant certifications such as CPSM, CSCP, CPIM, CIPS, CPP/CPPM is highly beneficial.
• Minimum 5 years of experience in strategic sourcing or procurement, preferably in a manufacturing or automotive environment.
• Understanding of quality systems such as ISO 9001, including IATF 16949, with experience working within a quality-driven manufacturing environment.
• Demonstrated experience managing raw material commodities, specifically plastics and resins.
• Strong background in global sourcing, supplier negotiations, and contract management.
• Proficiency in ERP systems (e.g., SAP, Oracle) and procurement tools.
• Advanced skills in Microsoft Excel (cost modeling, forecasting, analysis).Proficient in contract and SLA development, including terms around delivery, quality, and penalties.
• Understanding of quality systems such as ISO 9001, including IATF 16949, with experience working within a quality-driven manufacturing environment.
• Ability to conduct supplier audits and lead corrective action processes in collaboration with quality teams.
• Ability to develop and execute commodity strategies based on market intelligence, risk analysis, and long-term demand forecasting.
• Experience interpreting technical material specifications and working with engineering teams.
• Ability to travel domestically and internationally as needed.
• Knowledge of environmental regulations and sustainability trends in plastics/resins is beneficial.
• Excellent negotiation and communication skills, with strong analytical, strategic thinking, and decision-making abilities.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
• High attention to detail and problem-solving capability.

Working Conditions:

• Physical Environment – Majority of the time is spent in an office setting. There may be occasional exposure to manufacturing plants.
• Working Hours – Standard 40 hours a week. Overtime may be required based on business demands.
• Occupational Stress – This role may involve dealing with unforeseen events such as material shortages or logistic issues that will require immediate attention and adjustments.

EEO Statement:

TI Automotive is committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, pregnancy status, disability, gender identity or Veteran status.