Senior Category Manager

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.

About the role

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. Building on the Category Manager role, 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. This position drives total cost of ownership optimization, supply chain resilience, supplier innovation, and strategic risk management aligned to corporate growth objectives and new product introduction (NPI) roadmaps.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute multi-year category strategies across mechanical, electrical, engine, fuel system, rotating equipment, and related components, with a total cost of ownership focus.
• Lead enterprise-wide strategic sourcing initiatives, including spend analysis, category assessments, sourcing roadmaps, and supplier selection.
• Own the full category management lifecycle, including market intelligence, demand planning, RFx processes, negotiations, contracting, and implementation.
• Establish category governance frameworks, performance metrics, and executive reporting to drive accountability and results.
• 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 efforts.
• 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.
• All other duties assigned.

Requirements

• 4-year Bachelor's Degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, Engineering, or a related field from an accredited university.
• 8 years of procurement/category management experience in industrial manufacturing, heavy equipment, or power generation.
• 8 years of demonstrated experience leading complex, cross-functional sourcing projects with measurable cost savings and supplier performance improvements.
• 8 years of experience negotiating master supply agreements and long-term contracts with strategic suppliers.
• Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license and a driving record satisfactory to the company and its insurers.
• Must be able to fluently speak, write, and read in English.
• Willing to consent to and pass a background check.
• Willing to travel occasionally (up to 25%).
• Willing to work Monday-Friday (set schedule).

Qualifications

• Graduate Degree or relevant advanced degree (e.g., MS in Supply Chain Management, Engineering Management).
• 10 years of procurement/category management experience in industrial manufacturing, heavy equipment, or power generation.
• 5 years of experience with gas engines, rotating equipment, or reciprocating engine systems.
• 5 years of prior experience mentoring or leading a team of category managers or sourcing professionals.
• 8 years of experience supporting multi-site manufacturing operations across multiple U.S. locations.
• Honorably discharged service veterans are preferred.
• Certified Professional in Supply Management (CPSM) - ISM.
• Certified Supply Chain Professional (CSCP) - APICS / ASCM.
• Project Management Professional (PMP).
• Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt.

Skills

• 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, and ROI justification.
• Comprehensive understanding of supplier relationship management frameworks, supplier 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.

Culture Expectations

Mesa’s A.D.A.P.T. Values drive everything we do. We are:

• Action-oriented: Self-motivated, problem solver, takes initiative when issues arise, acting quickly and responding accordingly.
• Disciplined: Focused, consistently following through with dedication to achieve high standards even when no one is watching.
• Accountable: Takes ownership and accountability for your actions, good and bad.
• Passionate: Passionate about what they do and who they work for, by bringing enthusiasm and commitment to every task and team.
• Trustworthy: Reliable and honest, building confidence through integrity and consistent performance.

Physical Demands

• Constant: Sitting, seeing (specific vision abilities required include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus), hearing, use hands to type, touch, handle, or feel.
• Frequent: Driving, talking.
• Occasional: Standing, walking or moving throughout facility.

Working Conditions

• Constant: Minimal safety hazards; general office working conditions.
• Frequent: Travel is anticipated up to 25%.

Equipment & Software

• Computer
• Phone
• Microsoft applications
• ERP/MRP systems (e.g., SAP, Oracle, IFS)

Benefits

• 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 pay increase based on performance

Supervisory Responsibilities

3 or more Direct Reports

Employment is contingent on passing an initial drug screening and may include random testing for safety-sensitive roles.