Sr. Category Manager

POSITION SUMMARY:

• Under minimal supervision, the Senior Category Manager is the focal point for all stakeholder /internal customer (Business Operations) interactions and communications.
• Is a Go-To person and a Team Lead for the rest of the Category Managers in the department.
• Is an assigned team member for external customer meetings where Supply Chain needs and requirements are strategically discussed Is a trusted advisor to the Business Operations.
• Employees in this job classification possess the business acumen to negotiate effectively and maintain mutually beneficial relationships with suppliers.
• This job requires being the point person to the Operations team for seamless teamwork and support.
• Drives strategic procurement activities supporting the sourcing of materials and or services within assigned categories Employees in this job class evaluate supplier requirements, invoices, and/or inquiries; negotiates prices and contracts and provide input for policies and procedures for use of supply base once agreements are in place.
• This job class requires knowledge of category management, strategic sourcing methodology, supply chain management best practices, and industry practices related to the category or commodity as well as experience independently developing analyses and reports. Is proficient in problem-solving.

TYPICAL DUTIES:

• Individually leads or is a team leader in the sourcing of suppliers for materials/services within assigned categories.
• Lead efforts in preferred supplier and management, price and lead-time negotiations, supply base, and technology roadmap.
• Act as a subject matter expert on analyzing data and insights and market intelligence on all assigned spend categories including supply base and determining industry trends relating to the category.
• Creating and developing a strategic long-term plan for the development and the lifecycle of the assigned categories.
• Reviews Prime Contracts for procurement alignment and compliance in performing sourcing activities, administration of POs, and, Vendor contract management.
• Leads all technology implementations for the Procurement department.
• Creates negotiation strategies and leads all complex vendor negotiations.
• Coordinates Supplier QBRs. Schedules the QBRs as needed and prepares the PowerPoint slide Presentation, sets agenda and manages logistics of the meetings.
• Works closely with Quality for Supplier Corrective Action (SCAR) completions and timely Material Resource Board (MRB) maintenance and reports progress in the Monthly Activity Report.
• Manage cost through an evaluation of opportunities and effective negotiation.
• Establish and maintain strategies for assigned categories.
• Reach agreements that are consistent with negotiation strategies; respond to supplier issues/problems as needed.
• Performs other duties and special projects as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Education: Bachelors Degree; a comparable combination of work experience and education may be considered.
• Five years + of experience in a Senior or Lead category manager and/or commodity management role in service, software, manufacturing or MRO environment with indirect spend
• An influencer within its own department and outside within the organization
• Certified Purchasing Manager (CPM), Certified Professional Supply Chain Management (CPSM) and APICS preferred.
• Knowledge of purchasing, and procurement processes and practices.
• Advanced computer literacy and skills to use business software, and the Internet for data entry and to produce memos, emails and spreadsheets.
• Knowledge of Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems.
• Effective oral and written communication skills to provide procedural and factual information, both orally and in writing; and respond to questions from clients, customers, and managers.
• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing; to make presentations and respond to inquiries by management, team, vendors and/or customers.
• Human relations skills to build effective relationships with team and internal customers.
• Intermediate to advanced computer literacy including knowledge of word processing, spreadsheet, database and presentation software.
• Knowledge of business English including vocabulary, spelling, and correct grammatical usage and punctuation.
• Mathematical skills to include the ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations.
• Ability to establish priorities and solve a wide range of business problems.
• Demonstrated customer service, common sense, problem solving and analytical skills.
• Flexibility to respond to changing work priorities and handle numerous projects at the same time.
• WORK ENVIRONMENT: Work is performed in a normal office environment with limited privacy and some exposure to background noise.
• PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: Employees must have the ability to perform the following physical demands for extended periods of time with or without assistance: Viewing computer screen/monitor, Utilizing keyboard, Answering phone/making calls