Category Leader, MRO

About the role

Join Kohler Co. in a high-impact sourcing leadership role where you will shape strategy, influence operations, and deliver measurable business results across a complex North American manufacturing network.

Responsibilities

• Shape and execute category strategies for assigned MRO subcategories, delivering measurable cost savings, improved supplier performance, and stronger operational support across multiple Kohler plants.
• Leverage advanced expertise in OEM vs. distributor pricing and market dynamics, alongside deep command of global MRO supply networks across multiple regions and countries, to optimize sourcing strategies and deliver value.
• Lead high-visibility, end-to-end sourcing events, from spend analysis and supplier market evaluation through negotiations, supplier selection, and implementation, with clear savings and performance targets.
• Own supplier relationships for key MRO categories, including contract strategy, preferred supplier alignment, commercial negotiations, and performance management that improve value, service, and supply continuity.
• Drive transformation in a complex MRO environment by balancing strategic sourcing initiatives with real-time issue resolution that keeps operations running effectively.
• Partner with plant leaders, operations, maintenance, procurement, finance, and executive stakeholders to influence decisions, align on strategy, and accelerate adoption of sourcing improvements.
• Modernize and optimize supplier networks through rationalization, negotiation, and commercial strategy to unlock cost, efficiency, and service improvements at scale.
• Turn complex, imperfect spend data into actionable insights and sourcing strategies that support smart decisions, stronger supplier choices, and sustainable savings.
• Lead multiple initiatives across sites, share best practices, and help shape the future of MRO sourcing within a business that values ownership, results, and continuous improvement.

Requirements

• Minimum of a bachelor’s degree in business, Finance, Engineering, Materials Management, Supply Chain, or a related field is required. A master’s degree in business or a technical field is preferred.
• Minimum of seven (7) years of professional experience is required, including at least two (2) years in MRO or similar industrial categories.
• Candidates with experience in complex manufacturing, industrial distribution, plant operations, or strategic sourcing environments will be especially well-positioned for success.
• The ideal candidate brings experience leading strategic sourcing initiatives in complex environments, managing meaningful spend, influencing cross-functional teams, and turning data and supplier strategy into measurable business results.
• Regular travel across Kohler sites is expected.

Skills/Requirements

• Strategic & Financial Management: Experience managing $30M+ in annual expenditure, ideally within a broader MRO or industrial sourcing environment spanning multiple sites and stakeholders.
• Commercial Acumen: Proven success leading large, high-value sourcing events and converting negotiations into realized savings and measurable business outcomes. Skilled in TCO-based sourcing, cost modeling, and multi-year category road mapping.
• Supplier Engagement & Performance Management: Demonstrated ability to build strong supplier partnerships while driving accountability, performance, and continuous improvement across key categories. Skilled in driving supplier scorecards, QBRs, and KPI discipline (lead times, stockouts, pricing adherence).
• Operational Partnership: Record of working effectively across operations, procurement, finance, planning, and leadership to move initiatives forward and deliver results. Proven success reducing controllable stockouts and improving SAP usage and data reliability.
• Leadership, Ownership & Communication: Brings a high level of ownership, initiative, and strategic thinking, with the confidence to lead through ambiguity and drive meaningful change. Clear, persuasive communicator with executive presence and the ability to present sourcing strategies and outcomes to senior leadership.
• Technical & Systems Knowledge: Strong analytical and Excel skills, including spend analysis and data interpretation, with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a structured way. Strong analytical capability to cleanse, normalize, segment, and interpret spend and supplier data to support decision-making and savings realization. Familiarity with MRO taxonomies, category structures, and global classification standards.

Pay

The salary range for this position is $107,650 - $166,650. The specific salary offered to a candidate may be influenced by a variety of factors including the candidate’s experience, their education, and the work location.

Schedule

This role requires regular travel across Kohler sites.