Category Manager - Steel | Mortenson

Category Manager I – Metals SUMMARY

Mortenson is currently seeking an experienced Category Manager I – Metals responsible for developing, implementing, and managing sourcing strategies for structural and miscellaneous metals. This role will focus on optimizing costs, quality, and delivery while improving Supply Chain efficiencies and maintaining supplier relationships. Industrializing standard products for use in typical structures.

Hiring Locations:
Hybrid in Minneapolis, MN (PREFERRED). Open to other locations such as Phoenix, AZ, Denver, CO, Chicago, IL, Milwaukee, WI, Nashville, TN, Seattle, WA, or Portland, OR.

• Manage Design Phase, Estimating, and Procurement for Key Projects
  • Estimating and Procurement
    • Interpret project plans, specifications, and details for estimate preparation
    • Solicit quotes from manufacturers and trade partners
    • Understand project specifications and qualify manufacturer quotes
    • Create Proposals
    • Assist Design Phase with material selections based on client needs
  • Project Management
    • Create and Maintain procurement log
    • Create project specific purchase agreements
    • Manage Submittal and Shop Drawing process
    • Coordinate with project teams and other trades
  • Industrialization
    • Work to standardize products and details for projects within a client portfolio
    • Evaluate and create efficiencies in design, products and manufacturers to streamline project and property lifecycle
• Manage Design Phase
  • Develop and implement Category Strategy for Assigned Categories
    • Identify and engage with internal stakeholders across engineering and operations to capture category requirements
    • Assess potential opportunities for categories including spend segmentation, category maturity, cost drivers, and supply market analysis
    • Develop Sourcing Strategy for categories detailing projects, sourcing levers, timing, resources, and expected benefits
    • Adapt the strategy as business, market, and economic environments change
    • Support Annual Category Reviews including updated projects, metrics, strategy, and risk mitigation strategies
  • Manage Relationships with Key Suppliers
    • Maintain relationship with suppliers at the Leadership level
    • Conducts supplier business reviews
    • Monitor supplier’s quality and delivery performance
    • Leverage supplier relationship to assist buyers with expedites as needed
  • Manage Financial Success of Category
    • Responsible for category financial results for assigned categories. Develop strategies to achieve financial and category initiative goals
    • Develop pricing strategies for project proposals
    • Lead monthly and annual category financial reviews with project information, metrics, forecast and strategy, if applicable
  • Achieve Material Cost Reductions for Assigned Categories
    • Initiate and conduct supplier contract negotiations
    • Responsible for defining negotiations strategy including supplier profiles, commercial negotiations targets, defining switching costs, and building Total Cost of Ownership (TCO)
    • Closely monitor market drivers affecting the category including raw material pricing and availability, supplier capacity, industry disruptions and new products.
    • Responsible for forecasting, reporting, mitigating, and recovery of commodity inflation
  • Effectively work and build relationships with those of diverse backgrounds and organizational levels
  • Lead team members by example, offer effective coaching and feedback, and effectively manage performance
  • Other duties as assigned

• Bachelor's degree in business, supply chain management, construction management or equivalent combinations of technical training and/or related experience
• 5+ years of experience in a similar role strategically managing category material spend (structural & miscellaneous metals preferred)
• Experience negotiating contracts and procuring commercial mechanical equipment direct from manufacturers
• Experience influencing early phases of design and front-loading decision making to expedite procurement processes
• Strong strategic thinking, business acumen, and negotiations skills
• Effective communication and presentation skills
• Strong organization, planning and decision-making skills
• Ability to influence without authority
• Active listening skills and effective communication…