Strategic Sourcing and Category Manager

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute strategic sourcing and category management strategies for mechanical components and direct materials.
• Lead supplier selection, commercial negotiations, contract management, and ongoing supplier relationship management.
• Analyze total cost of ownership (TCO), market trends, supplier capabilities, and pricing to support data-driven sourcing decisions.
• Identify and implement cost reduction initiatives through supplier collaboration, should-cost analysis, process improvements, and strategic sourcing activities.
• Build and maintain category roadmaps, including supplier development and sourcing strategies that support future business needs.
• Review bills of materials (BOMs), engineering drawings, and technical specifications to support sourcing decisions and manufacturing readiness.
• Develop and execute supply risk mitigation strategies to improve business continuity and supplier performance.
• Monitor supplier performance and partner with cross-functional teams to implement corrective actions and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Lead RFIs, RFQs, and RFPs, evaluate supplier proposals, and recommend supplier selections based on quality, cost, delivery, and technical capabilities.
• Support legacy products and end-of-life planning by developing sourcing strategies that ensure continued operational support.
• Establish and monitor supplier performance metrics, dashboards, and key performance indicators.
• Partner closely with engineering, manufacturing, finance, project management, and product leadership to align sourcing initiatives with business objectives.
• Track procurement savings initiatives and provide financial analysis supporting cost reduction efforts.
• Evaluate and audit suppliers to ensure compliance with procurement, quality, engineering, and manufacturing requirements.

Requirements

• 10+ years of strategic sourcing, procurement, or category management experience focused on direct materials within a manufacturing environment.
• Strong experience sourcing mechanical components and managing supplier relationships across complex supply chains.
• Expertise in total cost of ownership (TCO) analysis, supplier negotiations, category strategy, and contract management.
• Demonstrated ability to develop cost reduction initiatives and deliver measurable savings.
• Strong understanding of manufacturing processes, product lifecycles, and mechanical supply markets.
• Experience working with ERP systems, eSourcing platforms, spend analytics tools, and contract management systems.
• Excellent analytical, negotiation, presentation, and communication skills.
• Proven ability to build strong partnerships with suppliers and cross-functional business leaders.
• Strong business acumen with the ability to influence decisions using data and market insights.
• Comfortable working in fast-paced environments with changing priorities and complex supply chain challenges.
• Willingness to travel occasionally as business needs require.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, or a related field.
• Bachelor's degree or MBA preferred.
• Professional certifications such as CPSM, CPM, Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt, or PMP are highly desirable.
• Experience within OEM manufacturing or industries such as industrial equipment, aerospace, automotive, heavy manufacturing, oil & gas, or other complex engineered products.
• Experience with SAP, Oracle, Jaggaer, or similar enterprise procurement platforms.