Category Manager II

Job
- Location

Job-;
Location(s):

McPherson KS

The Category Manager is responsible for developing and executing Sourcing Strategy for their assigned categories. Recommending supplier selection and negotiating with suppliers based on the long-term category sourcing and business product strategy and total cost of ownership. Establishing and maintaining contractual and business relationships with the suppliers. Communicating with Executive Committee and Business Units and Corporate Department influencers and users on strategy.

• Establishing strong relationships with internal departmental and executive business stakeholders; building a strong understanding of strategic business direction, requirements, and priorities across assigned suppliers and/or spend categories.
• Provide leadership and guidance to team Buyers and Procurement Specialists on category strategy implementation and issue resolution.
• Develop and maintain strategic category database; provide training to team Buyers and Procurement Specialists on category expertise.
• Developing global sourcing strategies to deliver against business objectives for internal clients.
• Evaluating supplier core competencies and competitive positioning using industry cost models and benchmarking analysis.
• Managing the fundamentals of sourcing and supplier engagement activities including RFx, spend pattern analysis, contract analysis, bid evaluation, negotiations, and supplier consolidation.
• Identifying sourcing opportunities by leveraging spend analysis tools and engage with stakeholders to consolidate requirements over categories, suppliers, and geographies.
• Work with business and finance leaders to identify and drive savings and controllership improvements, focusing on total cost of ownership.
• Providing guidance to internal stakeholders on procurement strategies.
• Prepare and hold business reviews with stakeholders to review vendor performance, future opportunities, and/or challenges.
• May be required to travel up to 50% of the time.

• Knowledge of computer programs, including Microsoft Office, Visio, BW, Live Link
• Advanced knowledge of ERP systems; SAP
• Expert knowledge of manufacturing and supply chain processes, matrix or strategic pricing, and supplier markets.
• Strong negotiator with proven experience in setting negotiation strategies and conducting negotiations.
• Extensive knowledge of the basic types of commercial agreement structures and the function and purpose of key legal terms.
• Strong experience assessing risk and concisely explaining complex issues to principal business owners.
• Extremely customer-focused and takes the time to understand the needs of the business.
• Experience working in a large, global, highly matrixed organization.
• Strong analytical skills including the ability to quickly synthesize, distill and draw conclusions on large amounts of disparate data.
• Ability to manage multiple simultaneous projects requiring frequent communication, organization, time management, and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Extensive experience presenting at the executive level and developing business cases.
• Passionate self-starter with the highest integrity and ethics.

• Bachelor’s Degree in Supply Chain, Business, Economics, or related field
• AND
• Masters in a business or supply chain related field and / or MBA preferred
• 15+ years of related source to pay experience in Purchasing and Strategic Sourcing
• Category specific procurement experience required
• In-depth experience in best-in-class procurement practices (category management, benchmarking, should-cost models, RFX, reverse auction, contracting, etc.)

Equivalent combinations of education and experience may be considered.

Wondering if you should apply? Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single qualification. At Viega, we are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace, so if you’re excited about this role but don’t check every box in the qualifications section, we encourage…