Supply Chain Category Manager

Position Summary

The Category Manager develops, implements, and maintains the sourcing strategy for an assigned group of commodities that supports the needs of key stakeholders such as the Line of Business, Operations, etc. The position evaluates business needs, supplier capabilities and performance, evaluates and recommends suppliers, negotiates large, complex, commercial agreements and manages ongoing relationships with suppliers on global level.

Primary responsibilities and/or essential functions

• Develops a commodity strategy for the business unit that supports the goals of the business units including supplier consolidation, process standardization, base and variable cost reduction, transaction cost removal, and process digitization that meets budget.
• Responsible for the overall performance and direction of assigned commodities, for the development, coordination and performance of cross-functional sourcing teams, transition and procurement performance.
• Develops budget goals and KPIs which include supplier rationalization, productivity, lead-time reduction, working capital improvement, quality and delivery performance.
• Develops and executes sourcing plans including but not limited to soliciting quotations, recommending suppliers, evaluating quotations, negotiating pricing, conducting cost analysis, and ensures that the proper legal agreements are correctly prepared.
• Directs and leads supplier discovery, RFI, RFQ, site visits and other strategic sourcing phases. Prepares cross-functional team supplier negotiations and is primary Marmon Rail representative in conducting major supplier negotiations.
• Maintains solid supplier relationships through effective communication. Routinely seeks internal customer's feedback and incorporates this data into strategies and action plans.
• Takes personal responsibility for ensuring any issues raised by suppliers or internal customers are responded to and resolved.
• Develops and optimizes executive level relationships with suppliers.
• Coordinates transition management and risk mitigation with Supply Chain Leadership. Oversees assigned commodity contracts while coordinating ongoing supplier development.
• Reviews policies and procedures and provides input to management concerning operation of the strategic sourcing function/process.
• Promotes material standardization programs across company. Maintains commodity data in business systems.

Skills/Specifications

• Committed to operating within a safety-centric environment, which includes working safely and taking action when unsafe practices/conditions are identified within the plant.
• Works effectively with key suppliers, Engineering, Supplier Quality, Logistics, Manufacturing, Finance, IT, and other internal key stakeholders to maximize overall performance of alliance agreements and all assigned commodity suppliers.
• Strong commodity knowledge and project management experience.
• Can direct commodity strategies based on cross-functional goals and objectives.
• Ability to develop business cases, project plans, status and issue reports.
• Keeps management apprised of top developments with suppliers and in supply industries that affect short-term business performance and long-term business strategy.
• Leads advanced negotiations with cross-functional teams; develops complex negotiations strategies; demonstrated negotiations capability including adjusting to individual styles and tactics, coaches Site Buyers and partners with others on negotiations process, tools and methodology.
• Excellent organizational, analytical, quantitative and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to establish and maintain service orientation and effective working relationships at the executive and working levels of internal and external organizations; ability to gain and maintain the cooperation and participation of others.
• 50% travel (regular on-site presence throughout North America).
• Team player/consensus builder.

Education/Experience/Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required (MBA preferred).
• Exceptional knowledge, experience & skill may be considered in lieu of education.
• CPSM certification will eventually be required.
• Minimum of 3+ years strategic sourcing and commodity management experience.
• Extensive experience in implementing a Category Management and broad-based Sourcing model into an organization, with specific categories of materials, components and services.
• Prior experience in leading and coaching supply chain teams in multiple sites, have strong business acumen, analytical and problem-solving skills is required.
• ERP implementation / significant upgrade / enhancement experience.
• Regulated industry experience required (FRA and AAR experience strongly preferred).
• Leverage Six Sigma Continuous Improvement experience (certification strongly preferred).
• CPSM / ISM / other certifications preferred.
• Previous experience in a national heavy industrial manufacturing business preferred.
• Experience with factory support and improving sustaining operations.

Pay Range

$112,500.00 - $137,500.00