Group Category Manager - Indirect

The Group Category Manager plays a critical role in maximizing the value of Johns Manville’s Indirect Category Spend by leading strategic sourcing and category management across Information Technology, Human Resources, Auto Fleet, Travel, and Marketing. This position directly influences JM’s cost structure, supplier performance, and operational resilience. Through expert negotiation, strategic supplier partnerships, and cross‑functional collaboration, the Group Category Manager delivers measurable business value—driving cost optimization, reducing risk, strengthening compliance, and ensuring the organization has the right suppliers, at the right cost, delivering the right outcomes.

Success in this role is defined not only by operational excellence, but by the ability to unlock long‑term strategic advantage for the enterprise.

The successful Group Category Manager will:

• Deliver competitive advantage through development and execution of strategic category plans aligned with business objectives and market intelligence.
• Lead cross‑functional teams to gather meaningful requirements, ensure high‑quality supplier responses, and drive effective supplier selection.
• Identify, validate, and implement cost‑saving opportunities, driving measurable year‑over‑year improvements.
• Negotiate and manage complex master agreements, statements of work, and long‑term supplier contracts to ensure optimal pricing, quality, service, and terms.
• Provide fact‑based recommendations to executive leadership and ensure contracts fully address compliance, quality, and performance expectations.
• Establish strong supplier relationships, ensuring continuous improvement and acting as escalation point to resolve performance issues.
• Evaluate supplier financial stability and long‑term viability to reduce operational and financial risk.

• Partner with Legal to ensure cloud‑based technology contracts include appropriate protections and meet data privacy requirements.
• Coordinate with Cyber Security to ensure supplier solutions meet JM’s security standards and undergo proper review throughout RFP and lifecycle processes.

• Lead Berkshire Hathaway Leveraging Spend quarterly calls and annual conference, including oversight of collaboration tools and communication.
• Manage the North American travel program, including supplier contracts, policy compliance, and communication.
• Support and champion simplification of Procure‑to‑Pay processes to enhance business experience and operational efficiency.
• Build and maintain financial models, dashboards, and reporting to support GP&L operations, including AOP planning.
• Conduct total cost of ownership analysis to support strategic recommendations.

• Minimum of 10 years of experience in supply chain management or a closely related field required

• Strong negotiation capability with proven results in complex contract environments
• Working knowledge of supplier management principles, strategy development, and contract law
• Experience with SAP systems and proficiency in Microsoft Office tools (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook)
• Ability to interpret business needs, develop sourcing strategies, and communicate recommendations to executive leadership
• Strong interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills with the ability to tailor messaging for internal and external audiences
• Demonstrated ability to conduct financial analysis and evaluate total cost of ownership
• Strong leadership, problem‑solving, and stakeholder‑management abilities

In this role, you’ll directly influence Johns Manville’s enterprise-wide Indirect Category Spend, driving meaningful cost savings, supplier performance improvements, and strategic business value. You’ll lead high-impact sourcing initiatives across diverse categories, partner with executives and cross‑functional teams, and shape long‑term supplier strategies for a Berkshire Hathaway company known for stability, integrity, and continuous improvement. If you’re motivated by strategic ownership, leadership visibility, and the opportunity to make a real impact—this role is built for you.