Sr Manager Category Management

About the Role

Vallen Distribution is seeking a purposeful and strategic leader to serve as Senior Manager, Supplier Strategy. This role will be responsible for developing and executing a comprehensive Sourcing Strategy for Vallen's multibillion-dollar enterprise. As a key partner to the Category Management organization, the Sr. Manager will drive enterprise-wide cost savings, profitability enhancements, and long-term supplier partnerships that strengthen Vallen's competitive position in the market.

Responsibilities

• Build and Lead Enterprise Supplier Strategy and Development: Develop, refine, and execute Vallen's Strategic Sourcing roadmap aligned to enterprise growth goals, profitability targets, and customer value delivery.
• Drive Profit Enhancement: Identify, assess, and execute sourcing initiatives to improve gross margin, reduce total cost of ownership (TCO), and create long-term economic value for Vallen.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner closely with the Category Management team to align sourcing priorities, negotiate supplier terms, and implement value-driving strategies across Supplier and Product portfolios.
• Supplier Management & Optimization: Develop strategies to manage strategic supplier relationships, negotiate commercial terms, segment, consolidate, and rationalize the supplier base, where appropriate.
• Enterprise Opportunity Identification: Analyze enterprise-wide spend data and supply chain performance to uncover sourcing opportunities not realized at the category level.
• Procurement Analytics: Lead the analytical support of evaluating both initiative-taking and reactive procurement opportunities.
• Change Leadership & Execution: Champion best practices in Sourcing, Compliance, and Risk Management. Lead cross-functional strategic sourcing project implementations to ensure stakeholder alignment and timely delivery.
• Performance Analytics and Reporting: Establish and track Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for sourcing initiatives to include cost savings, working capital improvements, and general supplier performance metrics.
• Team Management: Manage a team of sourcing professionals (optional depending on organization size).

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree (Supply Chain, Business, Finance, or related field) required. Preferred MBA or advanced degree.
• 5-7+ years of progressive responsibility in Strategic Sourcing, Procurement, or Supply Chain, ideally in industrial distribution, manufacturing, or a related sector.
• Proven success in leading sourcing strategies across complex, multi-category spend environments.
• Deep understanding of supplier economics, global sourcing, negotiation tactics, and TCO.
• Strong data analysis and financial modeling capabilities.
• Effective communicator with the ability to influence Executive, Commercial, and Operational functions.
• Demonstrated ability to deliver results in a fast-paced, evolving enterprise environment.

Benefits

• Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance for Single, Employee + Spouse or Children, and Family Coverage
• 401(k) with discretionary company match of $0.50 on the $1.00 up to 6% of pay (U.S. positions only)
• Employer-paid Basic Life Insurance for Employee, Spouse, and Dependents
• Employer-paid Short-Term and Long-Term Disability
• Parental Leave (and any leave required under federal, state, and local laws)
• Health Care and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts
• Paid Time Off (Vacation and Sick Days): 80–160 hours of vacation time based on seniority, accrued monthly and prorated from date of hire; 40–56 hours of sick time per year based on seniority and advanced upon hire
• Paid Time Off (Holidays): 8 scheduled holidays plus 2 floating holidays
• Employee Assistance Program
• Employee Resource Groups for networking and team building
• Tuition Reimbursement Program
• Employee Referral Program
• Safety shoe and safety glasses reimbursement (based on position)
• Employee discounts through BenefitHub
• Advancement opportunities

Work Environment

Long periods of time working on a computer and performing key-boarding activities.

Physical Demands

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk and hear. The employee frequently is required to sit. The employee is occasionally required to stand and walk. The employee may be required to occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus.