Category Manager – Service Parts & Accessories

Key Initiatives and Responsibilities

• Responsible for commercial relationships with suppliers, securing targeted levels of delivery performance, cost, quality, sustainability, etc.
• Develop and implement strategies that meet customer demands in a cost-efficient way
• Drive value by implementing strategic sourcing and entering into cost efficient agreements that fulfill supply requirements
• Manage the entire process of a supplier agreement, from submission to legal, expiration alerts, etc.
• Drive supplier performance through vendor scorecards and metrics. Ensure reports are created, updated, accurate, communicated and actioned with report-outs on key vendors
• Develop and implement strategies that actively search for performance improvement and cost reduction opportunities by understanding customer needs, supply market trends and innovation
• Conduct detailed demand, spend, cost and market analysis and a structured approach to tendering and negotiating with suppliers
• Segment suppliers and manage those relationships to drive supplier development and integration for existing, new and potential suppliers
• Work with the planning group to identify critical supply needs and engage the supplier as needed
• Manage purchase prices with vendors proactively or when there is a price dispute; conduct annual price negotiations or as needed
• Ensure parts are available from suppliers according to 1) our lifecycle policy, (parts to be supplied for 7-10 years after the last production of the finished good, 2) our supply agreements and/or terms sheet
• Implement and enforce supplier agreements and/or “terms sheets”, focused on our largest vendors or worst performing vendors
• Ensure packaging is identified up front with vendors or implement improved packaging requirements
• Work with R&D towards ensuring we have dual sourcing in place

What We Are Looking For

• Bachelor’s degree in supply chain management, Business Administration or relevant field; Master’s degree and recognized certification in Purchasing/Sourcing preferred
• Minimum 5 years of purchasing/sourcing experience, preferably in commodity management positions; Previous experience in sourcing components from LCC Suppliers preferred
• Previous experience in high-volume fast-paced manufacturing environment preferred
• Extensive knowledge of the aftersales purchasing environment with the capability to analyze business procurement issues, recommend solutions and strategies and implement changes
• Strong knowledge of the strategic sourcing methodology and its application (e.g. fact-based negotiations and cross functional team collaboration)
• Strong knowledge of assigned service part type commodities (e.g. belts, blades, filters, etc.)
• Demonstrated ability to effectively manage strategic supplier relationships, including relationship building, performance, development, integration and mitigate supplier risk issues
• Strong negotiation skills, including an understanding of legal terms and conditions
• Strong analytical skills, including a demonstrated ability to synthesize, interpret, and communicate market and competitive data
• Proficient in MS Office software applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Project)
• Ability to maintain confidentiality regarding proprietary company information
• Ability to travel up to 10% to domestic and/or international sites as required
• Position requires minimum of 4 days per week in Charlotte, NC office