Senior Category Manager

About Mesa Power Solutions

Mesa Power Solutions is a fast‑growing U.S. manufacturer delivering reliable, responsible power systems to industrial markets nationwide. We engineer and build advanced, sound‑attenuated, temperature‑controlled generator sets designed to perform in the toughest environments. Backed by industry‑leading service and real‑time telemetry technology, we give our customers the confidence and visibility they need to keep critical operations running.

What We Offer

• Competitive base pay
• 401(k) plan
• Generous paid time off – including vacation, holidays, parental leave, and bereavement
• 100% employer‑paid health, dental, and vision insurance for employees and their dependents
• Employee Assistance Program
• Life insurance
• Short‑ and long‑term disability coverage
• Critical illness and accident insurance
• Annual evaluations with the opportunity for a performance‑based pay increase

Job Summary

The Senior Category Manager provides strategic leadership and direction for category management and strategic sourcing across Mesa Power Solutions' multi‑site manufacturing operations. This role owns the development and execution of comprehensive category strategies spanning mechanical, electrical, fuel‑system, engine, and ancillary components used in gas engine power generation equipment – with an expanded scope that includes capital equipment, engineered systems, and strategic supplier partnerships critical to Mesa's growth trajectory. The Senior Category Manager leads enterprise‑wide sourcing transformations, mentors other category managers, and serves as a key procurement liaison to executive leadership and cross‑functional stakeholders.

Essential Duties

• Develop and execute multi‑year category strategies across mechanical, electrical, engine, fuel system, rotating equipment, and related components, focusing on total cost of ownership.
• Lead enterprise‑wide strategic sourcing initiatives, including spend analysis, category assessments, sourcing roadmaps, and supplier selection.
• Own the full category management lifecycle: market intelligence, demand planning, RFx processes, negotiations, contracting, and implementation.
• Establish category governance frameworks, performance metrics, and executive reporting to drive accountability.
• Manage executive‑level supplier relationships, including business reviews, scorecards, strategic development plans, and performance improvement initiatives.
• Drive supplier consolidation, capability development, technology advancement, and capacity expansion while ensuring supply continuity and quality.
• Lead complex commercial negotiations and manage master supply agreements, long‑term contracts, pricing structures, SLAs, KPIs, risk allocation, and compliance requirements.
• Conduct should‑cost analyses, total cost modeling, and value‑based negotiations to achieve savings and improve commercial outcomes.
• Develop and execute supplier risk management and supply chain resilience strategies, including dual sourcing, contingency planning, and disruption recovery.
• Monitor market, commodity, regulatory, and geopolitical trends impacting supply continuity and provide risk mitigation recommendations to leadership.
• Partner with engineering, operations, quality, logistics, finance, and legal teams to support new product introduction, capital projects, component standardization, and value engineering initiatives.
• Lead cost reduction, lead time improvement, and operational efficiency programs that deliver measurable business value.
• Mentor category managers and procurement team members, establish sourcing best practices, drive tool and process adoption, manage savings to targets, and ensure compliance with procurement policies and regulatory requirements.
• Perform all other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Education Required: 4‑year Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, Engineering, or a related field.
• Preferred Education: Graduate degree or advanced degree (e.g., MS in Supply Chain Management, Engineering Management).
• Experience Required: 8 years of procurement/category management experience in industrial manufacturing, heavy equipment, or power generation; 8 years leading complex, cross‑functional sourcing projects; 8 years negotiating master supply agreements and long‑term contracts.
• Preferred Experience: 10 years total procurement/category management experience; 5 years with gas engines, rotating equipment, or reciprocating engine systems; 5 years mentoring or leading a team of category managers; 8 years supporting multi‑site manufacturing operations across multiple U.S. locations; honorably discharged veterans.
• Certifications Required: Valid driver’s license with a satisfactory driving record.
• Preferred Certifications: Certified Professional in Supply Management (CPSM), Certified Supply Chain Professional (CSCP), Project Management Professional (PMP), Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

• Deep expertise in strategic sourcing methodologies, category strategy development, and total‑cost‑of‑ownership analysis.
• Advanced negotiation skills with proven results in high‑value, multi‑year supplier agreements.
• Strong financial and analytical acumen – should‑cost modeling, spend analytics, commodity market analysis, ROI justification.
• Comprehensive understanding of supplier relationship management frameworks, scorecards, and performance management.
• In‑depth knowledge of supply chain risk management, dual‑sourcing strategies, and business continuity planning.
• Proficiency with ERP/MRP systems (e.g., SAP, Oracle, IFS) and procurement analytics tools.
• Familiarity with regulatory compliance in manufacturing environments.
• Excellent executive‑level communication and presentation skills.
• Ability to influence cross‑functional stakeholders and drive decisions in a matrixed organization.
• Strong leadership and mentorship capabilities.
• Fluent in spoken, written, and read English.

Culture Expectations

• Action‑oriented: Self‑motivated problem solver who takes initiative and responds quickly.
• Disciplined: Consistently follows through with dedication to high standards, even when unsupervised.
• Accountable: Owns actions and outcomes, both good and bad.
• Passionate: Brings enthusiasm and commitment to every task and team.
• Trustworthy: Reliable and honest, building confidence through integrity.

Physical Demands

• Constant sitting.
• Vision requirements: close, distance, color, peripheral, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.
• Hearing requirements.
• Use of hands to type, touch, handle, or feel.
• Frequent driving.
• Talking.
• Occasional standing.
• Walking or moving throughout facility.

Working Conditions

• General office environment with minimal safety hazards.
• Frequent travel anticipated up to 25%.
• Equipment & software: computer, phone, Microsoft applications, ERP/MRP systems (e.g., SAP, Oracle, IFS).

Additional Job Requirements

• Willingness to consent to and pass a background check.
• Willingness to travel occasionally.
• Willingness to work a set Monday‑Friday schedule.
• Customer‑focused attitude with high professionalism and discretion.

Supervisory Responsibilities

Directly manages three or more reports.