Category Manager

About the role

The Category Manager will establish and execute third party category management strategies to achieve best value in support of enterprise needs. This role partners closely with business leaders, engineering, estimating, proposals, and operational teams to drive sourcing strategies across engineered equipment, bulk materials, OEMs, fabricators, and strategic suppliers. The role sits within the Procurement Strategy function and supports sourcing initiatives across the enterprise, including large capital and EPC projects.

Responsibilities

• Lead and coordinate strategic sourcing events and serve as a subject matter expert to Supply Chain Specialists throughout the lifecycle of assigned categories
• Develop and execute category strategies using internal utilization analysis, external benchmarking, cost models, and enterprise spend data
• Establish category goals, metrics, and performance criteria to track savings, risk mitigation, and value delivery
• Align pricing strategies with estimating, proposal, and sourcing teams, including development of commercial pricing models, indexing strategies, and risk mitigation approaches
• Analyze spend and utilization data; build reports and dashboards to monitor category performance and demand forecasts
• Maintain and expand working knowledge of procurement systems and tools, including Oracle, PPMS, and third party supplier platforms
• Support the development and execution of Supplier Relationship Management (SRM) programs
• Influence key initiatives at decision points, including preparing and delivering communications and presentations to senior and executive leadership
• Drive process improvements, training, change management, and continuous improvement initiatives

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in procurement, supply chain management, engineering, or a related field
• Minimum 5-7 years of category management or strategic sourcing experience within EPC, industrial construction, or engineering environments
• Proven experience supporting large capital projects and sourcing engineered equipment, bulk materials, OEMs, or fabricated materials
• Demonstrated ownership of category strategy development and execution, including spend analysis, cost modeling, and supplier performance management
• Direct experience leading or supporting contract negotiations, contract administration, and commercial terms with suppliers
• Hands on experience using ERP or procurement systems for spend analysis and supplier management (Oracle preferred)
• Strong stakeholder management skills, including collaboration with engineering, estimating, proposals, and senior leadership

Priorities

• Advanced analytical skills, including commodity cost modeling, pricing analysis, and ROI evaluation
• Prior experience interfacing with client and engineering entities preferred

Physical Demands

• Communicate in person, via telephone, email, use of arm/hand steadiness, manual dexterity, finger dexterity, multi limb coordination, oral expression, and comprehension
• May be required to lift, carry and move objects safely

Work Environment

• Conservative corporate office environment operating and functioning at a fast pace
• Working out of cubicles near other various colleagues who are also in cubes
• On-site café with various daily breakfast, lunch and snack-time selections
• Sizeable fitness center equipped with various state of the art equipment & weights
• Outdoor walking/jogging-path, herb garden, basketball half-court, sand-volleyball court, soccer field
• Clinic with a certified nurse practitioner

Benefits

• PTO
• Group Health and Dental Insurance
• 401k after necessary waiting periods

Equal Opportunity Employer

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity and expression, national origin, disability, protected Veteran status, or any other attribute or protected characteristic by law.