Category Buyer - Indirect Procurement

Brunswick Corporation; Mettawa (IL); Hybrid; USD 67,000 - 96,000; Full time

Job summary

Brunswick Corporation, a global marine leader, is seeking an Indirect Category Buyer to source indirect goods and services and support Brunswick’s operations. The role works with the Category Manager to achieve lowest total cost of ownership while meeting project needs across Brunswick locations.

Based in Mettawa, IL, this hybrid position requires a bachelor’s degree in supply chain or related field and 3–5 years of purchasing experience, with strong data analytics and Excel/Power BI proficiency.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in supply chain management or related field.
• 3–5 years of sourcing/purchasing experience; HR/Marketing categories experience preferred.
• Strong data analytics and high accuracy with collaboration.
• Excellent interpersonal, written, and verbal communication.

Responsibilities

• Independently review and create purchase orders in Oracle to ensure timely execution of Indirect activities and corporate functions.
• Research and investigate potential suppliers in collaboration with team members.
• Evaluate supplier capability, solicit RFQs/RFPs, negotiate pricing, and finalize contracts for best total cost.
• Negotiate with vendors for high-quality products/services at cost-effective pricing while meeting delivery requirements.
• Define expectations and deliverables for Indirect purchases with the Category Manager.
• Identify and implement tools/technologies to streamline processes and enable data-driven insights.
• Support daily operations of procurement, including Professional Services, Third Party Labor, Marketing, Translation, and other HR/Marketing categories.
• Lead and coach teams to achieve strategic goals and KPIs.

Skills

Data analytics

Attention to detail

Communication

Collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management or related field

Tools

Excel

Power BI

Oracle ERP

Job description

Are you ready for what’s next?

Come explore opportunities within Brunswick, a global marine leader committed to challenging conventions and innovating next-generation technologies that transform experiences on the water and beyond. Brunswick believes “Next Never Rests™,” and we offer a variety of exciting careers and growth opportunities within united teams defining the future of marine recreation.

Location

Mettawa, IL

Workplace Category

Hybrid; 3+ days in office per week

Travel Required

Minimal

Direct Reports

No

Pay Range

$66,500 – $95,750

Visa Sponsorship

Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States. This position is not eligible for employment visa sponsorship now or in the future.

Relocation

Yes

Innovation is the heart of Brunswick. See how your contributions will help transform vision into reality

The Indirect Category Buyer is responsible for the sourcing and procurement of Indirect services and products required to support Brunswick Corporation and its Divisions including business operations of all internal departments and functions as needed.

This individual will work the Category Manager & the supply base to ensure that all Indirect purchased material and services are sourced at the lowest total cost of ownership, while yet conforming to the required performance parameters needed to meet the project demands at all Brunswick Corporation locations.

At Brunswick, we have passion for our work and a distinct ability to deliver.

Essential Functions

• Independently review and create purchase orders in Oracle to ensure timely execution of Indirect activities and corporate functions. In addition, process certain Indirect invoices in Oracle to ensure timely payment to suppliers.
• Independently, and in collaboration with other team members, research and investigate potential suppliers.
• Evaluate supplier capability, solicit, and analyze RFP/RFQs, negotiate pricing and finalize purchase contracts to achieve best total cost of ownership for Indirect project.
• Negotiate with vendors to ensure the purchase of the highest quality products or services at the most cost-effective pricing while meeting customer delivery requirements.
• Independently and in collaboration with the indirect category manager, negotiate availability of products and services to clearly define the expectations and deliverables associated with the purchase of Indirect products.
• Identify, implement, and optimize tools and technologies that streamline processes, minimize manual intervention, and enable actionable, data-driven insights to improve performance, efficiency, and business outcomes.
• Independently and/or in collaboration with end users and Brunswick Indirect Procurement, tactically administer programs needed to support daily operations of the procurement function; including but not limited to Professional Services, Third Party Labor, Marketing (inclusive of influencers, software, services and events), Translation Services and other HR or Marketing based categories
• Independently and/or in collaboration with internal and external working partners, define, measure, analyze, improve, and control processes, programs, and supplier performance to effectively, efficiently and proactively achieve strategic business initiatives and/or key performance indicators. Passionately lead fellow employees by communicating the vision, engaging employees and empowering them to become change agents who are prepared and able to successfully lead the organization forward to embrace the future.

Diversity of thought and experiences is fundamental when imagining the unimaginable. Certain skillsets/experiences are necessary; however, others can be developed along the way.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management and Operations Management or related business field is required.
• Minimum 3-5 years of experience in sourcing/purchasing, or closely related purchasing experience. Prior experience supporting Human Resources of Marketing categories is desired.
• Strong data analytics
• High sense of accuracy, accountability, and collaboration
• Strong interpersonal, written, and verbal communication

Preferred Qualifications / Demonstrated Behaviors

• CPSM or CPM certification preferred
• Six Sigma Green Belt desirable
• Familiarity with Office suite products especially Excel; Power Bi
• Familiarity with Artificial Intelligence best practices; Co-Pilot is preferred
• Experience with an ERP system; Oracle is preferred
• Focus on people and inspire trust by not just doing things right, but by doing the right things
• Inspire and motivate people by living out the organization’s vision in their everyday business encounters
• Demonstrate Influential leadership
• Incite action across the entire value stream by mastering the skills of communication and motivation tailored to an individual person