The Company operates in a high mix and high SKU count environment including raw commodities, components, and finished goods. The Company has over 30,000 active SKUs and purchases over 6,000 distinct SKUs annually. The Category Manager will be responsible for the purchasing of goods and work with the Global Commodity Director in optimizing sourcing strategy within a $10M-$15M category. The Category Manager will work with a cross-functional team to optimize the category metrics including spend savings, and supplier & inventory metrics while ensuring a robust, risk mitigated supply chain where conforming products are sourced, developed, qualified, and delivered on time.
Essential Job Functions
Review purchase requisitions, place purchase orders, issue change notices, review exception messages to ensure delivery of materials or services as necessary to adhere to production schedules.
Interact with stakeholders (Product Management, Sales, & operation leaders) to optimize product planning requirements.
Lead RFQ's with the goal to reduce supplier count and generate spend savings in category.
Interact with suppliers to communicate delivery expectations, forecasts, design changes, lead time management, and material expedites or delays to ensure suppliers meet Supplier On-Time Delivery.
Monitors and rates supplier performance through delivery/quality reports, on-site audits, and daily communication.
Ensure continuous supply of required goods and materials and communicate any supply problems which may pose a risk or impact on business operations. Identify back-up supply and exit strategy for critical suppliers.
Works through various quality issues including handling rejected materials, notifying supplier of quality problems, processing defective parts, determining source of trouble, and taking corrective action.
Resolves problems related to purchasing, delivery, receiving and payment to the supplier.
Attain cost reduction goals through detailed cost/spend analysis, cost model development and implementation, supplier lean events, or using various other cost management tools.
Optimize Commodity Execution: Reduce waste and redundancy by identifying like materials as candidates for potential SKU count reduction, identify and execute supply base consolidation opportunities, and develop and implement a robust process to ensure.
Establish inventory management programs (VMI) to reduce the administrative burden associated with the order management process.
Ability to maintain control of multiple projects to meet timing and anticipates and resolves 'roadblocks' for successful part PPAP and launch.
Researches, analyzes, and forecasts current and future buying trends, markets, styles, and products.
Responsible for the negotiation of supply agreements and the development of the driving strategy for the assigned category.
Performs other related duties and projects as assigned.
Knowledge
Bachelor's Degree Required.
APICS or ISM Certification preferred.
Experience
3-5 years of relevant work experience.
MRP/EPR experience a plus but not required.
Skills
Accurately assess supplier capability to meet product and supplier performance expectations.
Continuous improvement mindset.
Ability to self-motivate and work independently in a complex environment.
Basic understanding of various manufacturing processes (i.e. metal forming, casting, molding, machining, assembly, finishing, etc.).
Collecting and analyzing data to identify and recommend areas of opportunity.
Demonstrated history of thriving in a high pace, demanding environment.
Proficient oral and written communication skills (MS Word/Excel/PowerPoint).