Category Manager Spares & Indirect

About the role

Within the Consumer Direct Interactions (CDI) Purchasing Organization, the Category Manager is responsible for sourcing and securing the required components and materials to support the best-in-class availability of after-market parts at the lowest total delivered cost to Electrolux and its customers. This role requires cross-collaboration, expansive ideas, and close attention to detail. You will work closely with a team of buyers responsible for sourcing and securing the required materials and components needed to support after-market parts and accessories across product lines.

You are responsible for establishing and building relationships with suppliers, leading the Value-Based Sourcing approach, and ensuring alignment with your Purchasing vision and road map for the assigned category. You will collaborate with cross-functional stakeholders such as CDI Product Lines, CDI Sales, Legal, and Major Appliances Purchasing and Engineering teams to drive operational improvements with designated suppliers, including compliance to lead times, MOQs, pricing, and part quality.

Responsibilities

• Supplier Relationship Management: Cultivate and maintain robust relationships with a select group of key suppliers through regular communication, fostering mutual trust, and ensuring alignment with Electrolux’s strategic goals.
• Delivery and Compliance Oversight: Ensure suppliers consistently deliver parts within pre-agreed timeframes and quantities. Address tooling or purchasing price variances promptly and act as the primary escalation point for supplier non-compliance with KPIs such as on-time delivery and backorders.
• Expediting and Inventory Management: Approve expediting of parts to prevent stock shortages and avoid backorders, requiring a proactive approach to inventory management and supply chain monitoring.
• Supplier Development and Training: Develop and train suppliers on Electrolux’s purchase order processes, providing guidance on best practices and ensuring understanding of requirements.
• Escalation Path Definition: Define clear escalation paths with key suppliers to ensure swift resolution of issues through structured communication channels and protocols.
• Complexity Reduction Initiatives: Drive initiatives to reduce complexity through parts and supplier rationalization, recommending retirement of obsolete parts and identifying new sources as needed.
• Cost Management and Negotiation: Lead cost-out projects to achieve financial savings, negotiate Incoterms to optimize trade terms, and identify contract improvement opportunities.
• Packaging Standards Compliance: Review and ensure suppliers comply with Electrolux’s packaging standards through regular audits and feedback.
• Efficiency and Risk Management: Maximize buying efficiency while minimizing supply disruption and financial risks through strategic procurement and risk management.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner with and support initiatives of various teams within Electrolux Major Appliances North America (EMA-NA), including commodity, global commodity, product line, sales, engineering, and publications teams.
• Performance Analysis and Improvement: Regularly analyze supplier quality, delivery, and cost metrics to identify areas for improvement and engage suppliers in developing and implementing improvement plans.
• Project Management: Manage multiple projects simultaneously, resolve problems, meet deadlines, and achieve performance objectives in a fast-paced environment.
• Data Analysis and Reporting: Collect, analyze, and summarize data and trends to monitor your category and drive improvements, informing decision-making and strategic planning.
• Quotation Management: Collect, analyze, and negotiate requests for quotation to ensure competitiveness and alignment with Electrolux’s cost and quality standards.
• Effective Communication: Communicate effectively and tactfully with external suppliers and internal resources, successfully selling initiatives and developing actionable objectives.
• Policy Enforcement: Internalize Electrolux Major Appliances (EMA) policies and practices, communicating and enforcing them with suppliers and internal resources.

Requirements

• BA/BS degree in Business or Engineering.
• Minimum 5 years of relevant experience in purchasing, sourcing, or category management with international/global exposure preferred.

Qualifications

• Experience and knowledge of the purchasing environment for managed commodities, with the ability to analyze procurement issues, recommend solutions, and implement change.
• Demonstrated success in year-over-year material cost reduction projects.
• Strong knowledge of strategic sourcing methodology and its application.
• Strong analytical, financial, and business acumen, including should-cost modeling.
• Basic knowledge and understanding of engineering drawings of component parts.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively manage strategic supplier relationships, including relationship building, performance, development, and integration.
• Expertise in supplier processes and cost drivers.
• Ability to manage projects and establish clear goals and accountabilities to ensure successful delivery (on time, within budget, meeting success criteria).
• Experience in project leadership.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications.
• Understanding of cross-border shipment laws, tariffs, taxation, and time frames.
• Familiarity with supply chain and material flow (lead-times, tier-2 vendors, etc.).

Work Environment

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to operate a computer keyboard and telephone. The employee frequently is required to walk and sit and occasionally to stand. Specific vision abilities required include close vision and the ability to adjust focus. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.