Associate Category Manager

CAIRE Inc.; Ball Ground (GA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

CAIRE Inc. in ball ground GA seeks an experienced Associate Category Manager to oversee strategic procurement for essential products used in medical device instruments. You will develop in-depth market knowledge and work with internal and external stakeholders to maximize value and mitigate risk.

The role emphasizes supplier relationships, cost optimization, and alignment with business needs throughout the sourcing lifecycle. Collaboration and strong negotiation skills are essential to success.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or higher is preferred for advanced roles.
• Experience in procurement, supply chain, or planning in manufacturing.
• Strong negotiation and supplier-management abilities.
• Ability to analyze spend data and market trends.

Responsibilities

• Support development and execution of category strategies aligned with business needs.
• Participate in strategic sourcing, supplier selection, and vendor classification.
• Build relationships with key suppliers and internal stakeholders.
• Negotiate contracts and terms under guidance of senior category management.
• Monitor quality, delivery, and cost objectives; identify savings opportunities.
• Collect and analyze spend data to inform sourcing decisions.
• Identify and mitigate supply risks; develop alternative supplier options.
• Drive continuous improvement with suppliers and corrective actions.

Skills

Job Specific Skills

Research Skills

Analytical Skills

Results Oriented

Ethics Integrity

Communication

Education

High School Diploma

Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Business, Engineering, or related field

Job description

We are currently seeking an experienced Associate Category Manager with a strategic mindset, strong supplier management skills, and exceptional negotiation abilities. As an Associate Category Manager, you will be responsible for overseeing strategic procurement activities for the products necessary to build our medical device instruments. You will develop in-depth knowledge of markets and suppliers while working with internal and external stakeholders to maximize value and mitigate risk.

Essential Functions

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Support the development and execution of category strategies based on supply market knowledge and business needs; assist in identifying competitive and right-fit suppliers.
• Participate in strategic sourcing activities and supplier selection processes; support maintenance of the approved vendor list and supplier classification.
• Establish and build effective relationships with key suppliers and internal stakeholders; participate in supplier business reviews to monitor service levels and product conformity.
• Negotiate contracts and purchase terms; support supply agreement development and execution under guidance of senior category management.
• Ensure quality, delivery, and cost objectives are met; identify cost savings opportunities.
• Collect and analyze spend and supply market data to support category strategy development and sourcing decisions.
• Anticipate and detect supply issues and lead prompt resolution to minimize business impact; support development of alternative suppliers to mitigate risk.
• Drive continuous improvement with assigned suppliers; assist in managing supplier development and corrective action activities.
• Other responsibilities as assigned.

Competencies/Success Factors

• Job Specific Skills
• Research Skills
• Analytical Skills
• Results Oriented
• Ethics Integrity
• Communication

Supervisory Responsibility

This position has no supervisory responsibilities

This job operates in a professional office environment. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets and fax machines.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

• Frequent standing, sitting, walking, bending, stooping, twisting and occasional crawling.
• Occasional lifting up to 25 lbs.
• Occasional pushing, pulling and handling of materials.

Travel

Limited travel less than 5%

Required Education and Experience

• High School Diploma

Preferred Education and Experience

• High School Diploma or GED required; Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Business, Engineering, or related field preferred.
• 5+ years' relevant experience in procurement, supply chain, and/or planning function in a manufacturing environment.
• 1-2 years of experience in a category management, commodity management, or strategic sourcing role, or demonstrated movement toward category ownership.
• Experience negotiating contracts and managing supplier relationships with a focus on quality, cost, and delivery performance.
• A strategic focus and in-depth understanding of the role he/she plays in creating partnerships and cost-containment programs with suppliers.

Additional Eligibility Qualifications

None required for this position.

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

CAIRE is committed to providing equal employment opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or membership in any other class protected by federal, state, or local law.