Category Manager

The Role

At Great Dane, we rely on makers and we’re calling on them to join our expanding team. The time has never been better to Embrace Your Great and work in an environment with the highest safety standards in the industry.

The Position:
The Category Manager is responsible for leading, directing, and managing a category of products, including owning the contracts, pricing, on time delivery, and supplier approval process while adhering to Great Dane quality process for said categories. This position owns the relationship with the suppliers of those categories.

• Develop and implement category management strategies utilizing landed cost concepts and total cost of ownership to secure the supply of assigned categories and mitigate risk
• Serve as subject Matter Expert for assigned category; uses knowledge/expertise of category to manage cost drivers, changing supply base, and market innovation to capture lower costs and/or high value alternatives to meet stakeholder needs
• Regularly adapt category strategies in relation to market trends and business requirements to enhance effectiveness
• Lead, manage and execute the formal RFx process; negotiate supplier contracts
• Collaborate with Engineering Department on all category related projects
• Develop Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for use in contracts and Supplier Management Meetings
• Analyze and understand individual plant needs and processes
• Lead the development and execute the Supplier Management strategy and approach including Supplier Relationship Management, Performance Management, Issue Resolution, and the identification/onboarding of new suppliers
• Develop exit strategies for suppliers that don’t meet Great Dane supplier standards
• Report/communicate quarterly supplier scorecard results with VP Procurement and internal business partners/stakeholders
• Support the Procurement Analyst Department (PAD) to ensure Price Catalogs are continually up-to-date
• Coordinate a holistic approach to Supplier Performance and Measurement with users’ involvement and is a lead participant in a cross-functional team; works closely with suppliers to identify their business objectives and cost drivers; coaches others around Supplier Relationship Management
• Develop clear and concise contractual language documentation to minimize Great Dane’s exposure and vulnerability; advises on methods of control and performance measures, builds clear understanding of consequences of non-performance and mitigates this risk; incorporates provisions that allow for performance measurement, continuous improvement and ongoing review; prepares contract amendments
• Analyze supplier and spend data to obtain TCO information and identify category opportunities; generate reports to create internal profile of category.
• Other duties as assigned.

• Education:
  
  Bachelor’s degree, Master’s preferable
• Experience:
  
  10+ years of applicable experience
• Skills:
  • Extensive Lean implementation experience with proven track record in transforming organization to achieve better business results.
  • Leadership experience with multiple sites.
  • Leadership experience in other manufacturing related areas:
    Quality, Supply Chain.
  • Strong presentation skills and ability to articulate vision to a broad audience.
  • Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
  • Ability to maintain strict confidentiality.
  • Proficient in Microsoft Office products, including advanced data functions in Excel.
  • Excellent analytical skills; ability to collect and analyze data and present findings.
  • Solid ability in identifying and resolving problems in a timely, effective manner.
  • Strong verbal, written and interpersonal skills.
  • Apex Certified a plus.
  • Possesses knowledge of entire Category Management process and interface key issues with users and suppliers; forms cross-functional teams to maximize effectiveness; identifies and recommends improvements to processes and standards
  • Applies advanced procurement techniques to maximize value to the business; ongoing coaching of team members in procurement processes
  • Aware of market trends and dynamics; track and understand category exposure to price swings; forecast Great Dane’s demand; subject matter expert in…