Catagory Manager

Kaizen Lab Inc.; Indianapolis (IN); On-site; USD 85,000 - 125,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) with company contribution

Company-sponsored HSA

Medical, Dental, Life Insurance

EAP benefits

Vision premiums

Job summary

Comlux America in Indianapolis, IN, seeks a Category Manager to lead strategic sourcing, category management, and supplier relationships across aerospace procurement. You will develop sourcing strategies, evaluate make-versus-buy opportunities, and drive competitive supply base performance in collaboration with Program Management, Engineering, and Operations.

The role requires 7–10 years in category management or strategic sourcing, a Bachelor’s degree in a related field, and proven negotiation

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field.
• 7–10 years in category management or strategic sourcing.
• Experience negotiating supplier agreements and pricing.
• Experience in complex manufacturing or aerospace environments.

Responsibilities

• Manage and maintain accountability for assigned procurement categories and supplier base.
• Develop and execute strategic sourcing plans aligned with objectives.
• Identify, evaluate, and develop new suppliers to strengthen the supply base.
• Lead the sourcing process for categories, including supplier identification, bid evaluation, and negotiations.
• Negotiate Master Terms Agreements and service-level agreements with suppliers.
• Establish strong supplier relationships and monitor performance KPIs.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure alignment of requirements.
• Lead make-versus-buy analyses and provide recommendations.
• Monitor supplier delivery, receiving, invoicing, and payments; resolve issues.
• Develop category/supplier performance metrics and report to management.

Skills

Strategic sourcing

Category management

Supplier relationship management

Negotiation

Project management

Communication

Financial acumen

Microsoft Excel

ERP systems

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Procurement, Business Administration, or related field

Tools

ERP systems

Job description

About Comlux America

Comlux America is a world-class VIP aircraftcompletion and refurbishment center located in Indianapolis, Indiana. Thecompany designs, engineers, and installs custom luxury interiors and advancedaircraft systems for airliner-derivative business jets. Comlux also offersscheduled and unscheduled maintenance services.Specializing in highly customized aircraft, Comlux transforms aircraftinto personalized flying environments that reflect exceptional craftsmanship, precisionengineering, and uncompromising safety.

Role Description

The Category Manager is responsible for thestrategic sourcing, development, and management of assigned procurementcategories and supplier relationships. This role develops and executes categorystrategies that support cost-effective sourcing, supplier performance, materialavailability, and overall business objectives. The Category Manager worksclosely with Program Management, Engineering, Quality, Manufacturing,Operations, Contracts, and Procurement to develop sourcing strategies, evaluatemake-versus-buy opportunities, establish supplier agreements, and ensure the organizationmaintains a reliable and competitive supply base.

Essential Job Functions

• Manage and maintain accountability forassigned procurement categories and associated supplier base, includingsupplier evaluations, sourcing activities, strategic planning, and supplierdevelopment.
• Develop and execute strategic sourcing plansfor assigned categories in alignment with company objectives, operationalrequirements, and project needs.
• Identify, evaluate, and develop newsuppliers to strengthen the company’s supply base, improve competitiveness, andmitigate supply chain risk.
• Lead the sourcing process for assignedcategories, including supplier identification, bid evaluation, negotiations,selection, and transition of awarded business to Procurement for tacticalpurchasing.
• Negotiate Master Terms Agreements (MTA),contracts, pricing agreements, performance requirements, and service-levelagreements with suppliers.
• Establish and maintain strong supplierrelationships while holding suppliers accountable for agreed-upon cost,quality, delivery, and performance expectations.
• Develop and monitor supplier Key PerformanceIndicators (KPIs) and take corrective action when suppliers fail to meetestablished requirements.
• Collaborate closely with Program Management,Engineering, Quality Assurance, Manufacturing, Operations, Contracts, and Procurement to ensure sourcing strategies meet program and operationalrequirements.
• Represent Procurement in sourcing strategymeetings, program risk reviews, and other cross-functional planning activities.
• Coordinate sourcing objectives acrossEngineering, Operations, Manufacturing, and other functional organizations toensure alignment of technical, commercial, quality, and delivery requirements.
• Lead make-versus-buy analysis and providerecommendations based on cost, capability, capacity, quality, schedule, andstrategic considerations.
• Evaluate category and supplier risks anddevelop mitigation strategies to ensure continuity of supply and achievement ofprogram requirements.
• Partner with Procurement and otherstakeholders to monitor supplier delivery, receiving, inspection, invoicing,and payment issues and facilitate timely resolution.
• Develop and maintain category and supplierperformance metrics and provide regular reporting and recommendations to management.
• Identify and implement continuousimprovement opportunities related to sourcing, supplier performance, costreduction, material availability, and procurement processes.
• Support the development and implementationof Vendor Managed Inventory (VMI), supplier stocking, and other supply chainstrategies where appropriate.
• Ensure sourcing and supplier managementactivities are conducted in accordance with company policies, procedures, andapplicable regulatory and contractual requirements.
• Serve as a subject matter expert andinternal resource on strategic sourcing, category management, supplier development, and procurement practices.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications, Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Procurement, Business Administration, or a related field.
• 7–10 years of progressive experience incategory management, strategic sourcing, procurement, or supply chainmanagement, preferably within an aerospace, aviation, manufacturing, or othercomplex project-based environment.
• Demonstrated experience developing andexecuting category strategies and managing strategic supplier relationships.
• Experience negotiating supplier agreements,contracts, pricing, performance requirements, and service-level agreements.
• Experience working within complexmanufacturing, project-based, and/or serial production environments.
• Experience with make-versus-buy analysis,supplier development, and supply chain risk management.
• Experience with Vendor Managed Inventory(VMI) or similar supplier inventory programs preferred.
• Demonstrated experience leadingcross-functional projects and implementing process or organizational change.

Required Skills and Abilities

• Strong understanding of strategic sourcing,category management, procurement, supplier management, and supply chainprinciples.
• Strong analytical and financial skills,including the ability to evaluate supplier pricing, total cost, sourcingalternatives, and business cases.
• Excellent negotiation and contractmanagement skills.
• Strong project management and changemanagement capabilities.
• Excellent communication and interpersonalskills with the ability to effectively influence internal and externalstakeholders.
• Advanced organizational and time-managementskills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and complex projectssimultaneously.
• Strong problem-solving skills with theability to identify supply chain risks and develop effective mitigationstrategies.
• Ability to establish and maintain productiverelationships with suppliers, internal stakeholders, and senior leadership.
• Strong proficiency in Microsoft Officeapplications, including Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
• Experience with ERP, procurement, sourcing,or supply chain management systems.
• Results-oriented with a hands-on, proactive,and continuous-improvement mindset.
• Ability to represent Comlux professionallyas a supply chain and procurement subject matter expert with both internal andexternal stakeholders.

Work Environment

This position is based in an aircraft hangarenvironment and may involve:

• Exposure to varying temperatures and weatherconditions
• Loud noise levels
• Use of heavy machinery and specialized tools
• Potential contact with chemicals orhazardous materials
• Working in confined aircraft interior spaces

Why join us?

Your success is our success. We provide a competitive and comprehensive total rewards package that supports you and your family.

• 401(k) with company annual contributionequal to 3% of eligible compensation
• Company-sponsored HSA
• 100% company-paid vision premiums
• Medical, Dental, Life Insurance, and EAPbenefits
• Free financial consultations and guidance

EEO Statement

Comlux is committed to providing equal employmentopportunities to all applicants and employees regardless of race, color,religion, age, national origin, military status, veteran status, disability, sex (including pregnancy and sexual orientation), genetic information, or anyother characteristic protected by law.