Category Lead

Laborie; Minneapolis (MN); On-site; USD 120,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid time off

Medical, Dental, Vision insurance

401k with company match

Parental Leave

Job summary

Laborie is seeking a Category Lead to develop and execute global category strategies aligned with business growth and operational needs. You will drive supplier assessments, market intelligence, and spend analysis to identify opportunities, risks, and cost-saving initiatives.

You will lead strategic sourcing programs, manage supplier relationships, and negotiate complex agreements, collaborating with Operations, Engineering, R&D, Quality, Finance, Regulatory, Manufacturing, and Supply Chain to

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a related field required.
• MBA or advanced degree preferred.
• Certifications in procurement or supply chain are a plus.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute global multi-year category strategies aligned with growth and operations.
• Conduct market intelligence, supplier assessments, benchmarking, and spend analysis to identify opportunities and risks.
• Build category roadmaps focusing on cost optimization, supplier innovation, continuity, sustainability, and risk mitigation.
• Lead strategic sourcing initiatives including RFIs, RFQs, RFPs, supplier evaluation, and selection.
• Establish and manage strategic supplier relationships to improve performance, quality, and value.
• Lead SRM activities including Quarterly/Executive Business Reviews.
• Lead complex negotiations on pricing, terms, IP protection, SLAs, and long-term agreements.
• Develop negotiation strategies aligned with organizational objectives.
• Deliver annual cost savings, avoidance, and productivity initiatives.

Skills

Strategic sourcing

Category management

Supplier negotiations

Contract management

Vendor performance

Cost reduction

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Engineering, Operations Management, Finance, or related field

MBA or Master's degree in Supply Chain, Business, Engineering, Finance, or related discipline

Certifications: CPSM, CSCP, CPIM, CPM or equivalent

Job description

We believe that great healthcare is an essential safeguard of human dignity.

At Laborie, we know the work we do matters – it’s what fuels our motivation and contributes to our success. If you’re ready to make a positive impact in the lives of patients across the globe, we’d like to meet you.

We support and empower our employees to grow their careers in an environment that encourages a sense of belonging and a connection to doing good. We’re not afraid to roll up our sleeves to make our goals a reality and work together to solve for our customers. We reward and recognize our employees based on our values of Aspire to Greatness, Respect All, Own It, Working Together, Persist with Passion.

Who We’re Looking For:

As a key member of the Category team, the Category Lead is responsible for developing and executing global category strategies that ensure a competitive, resilient, and high-performing supply base aligned with Laborie's business objectives. This role owns the strategic management of assigned categories, including supplier portfolio optimization, sourcing strategy, commercial negotiations, contract management, supplier innovation, risk mitigation, and total cost of ownership.

As a strategic business partner, the Category Lead collaborates closely with Operations, Engineering, R&D, Quality, Finance, Regulatory, Manufacturing, and Supply Chain leadership to align sourcing decisions with business priorities, accelerate innovation, improve supply continuity, and deliver sustainable value across the enterprise.

About the Role:

• Develop and execute global multi-year category strategies aligned with business growth, operational requirements, and corporate procurement objectives.
• Conduct market intelligence, supplier assessments, benchmarking, and spend analysis to identify sourcing opportunities, emerging risks, and industry trends.
• Build and maintain category roadmaps focused on cost optimization, supplier innovation, business continuity, sustainability, and risk mitigation.
• Lead strategic sourcing initiatives including supplier identification, market assessments, RFI, RFQ, and RFP development, supplier evaluation, and selection processes.
• Establish and manage strategic supplier relationships to improve performance, quality, innovation, responsiveness, and total value.
• Lead Supplier Relationship Management (SRM) activities, including Quarterly Business Reviews and Executive Business Reviews.
• Lead complex commercial negotiations involving pricing, contractual terms, intellectual property protection, service levels, and long-term strategic agreements.
• Develop negotiation strategies and negotiation plans aligned with organizational objectives.
• Deliver annual cost savings, cost avoidance, working capital improvements, and productivity initiatives.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Engineering, Operations Management, Finance, or related field.
• Minimum 8-10 years of progressive experience in Strategic Sourcing, Category Management, Procurement, Supply Chain, or Manufacturing environments.
• Demonstrated success developing and implementing category strategies in complex global organizations.
• Proven experience leading strategic sourcing initiatives and complex supplier negotiations.
• Extensive experience managing supplier relationships, supplier performance programs, and contract negotiations.
• Strong understanding of category management, strategic sourcing, supplier relationship management, and procurement best practices.

Preferred Qualifications:

• MBA or Master's degree in Supply Chain, Business, Engineering, Finance, or related discipline.
• CPSM, CSCP, CPIM, CPM, or equivalent professional certification.
• Experience within medical device, life sciences, healthcare, pharmaceutical, or other regulated manufacturing industries.
• Knowledge of ISO 13485, FDA, or other regulated industry requirements.
• Global sourcing and supplier management experience.
• Lean Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt certification.
• Experience leading supplier innovation, sustainability, ESG, or responsible sourcing initiatives.

Why Laborie:

Our Mission every day is to operate as a world-class specialist medical company making and advancing technologies that preserve and restore human dignity. We do that today by helping people with pelvic and gastrointestinal conditions live normal lives, and by helping mothers and babies have safe deliveries.

• Paid time off and paid volunteer time
• Medical, Dental, Vision and Flexible Spending Account
• Health Savings Account with Company Funded Contributions
• 401k Retirement Plan with Company Match
• Parental Leave and Adoption Services
• Health and Wellness Programs and Events

Laborie providesequal employment opportunities and non-discrimination for all employees and qualified applicants without regard to a person’s race, color, gender, age, religion, national origin, ancestry, disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, or any characteristic protected under applicable law. Laborie is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation in our services, activities, education, and employment for individuals with disabilities.