Category Lead

CommScope; Shakopee (MN); On-site; USD 118,000 - 153,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive benefits package

Eleven paid holidays

Two weeks paid vacation

Long Term Incentive Plan

Job summary

CommScope is seeking a Category Lead based in Shakopee, MN (with possible locations in NC) to drive the global sourcing strategy for a $120M+ supplier spend and lead cross-functional teams in fiber cable categories. The role includes negotiating supplier agreements, monitoring commodity markets, and driving cost reductions while supporting NPI efforts.

The position requires a Bachelor's degree, 8+ years in procurement or related fields, 5+ years in negotiations, and travel flexibility.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a related field.
• 8+ years of experience in procurement, supply chain, manufacturing, or related field.
• 5+ years of experience in contract negotiations.
• Willing and able to travel domestically and internationally as needed.

Responsibilities

• Drive the global sourcing strategy for supplier spend exceeding $120M.
• Lead global cross-functional teams in support of the fiber cable category strategies and initiatives.
• Provide updates to key stakeholders on commodity price and lead-time movements with recommendations on actions.
• Demonstrate understanding of commodity markets to facilitate pricing and supply strategies.
• Improve management of global procurement spend by contributing to global processes, policies, and procedures.
• Drive cost reduction objectives and deliver annual cost reduction plans for materials, parts, and assemblies.
• Support Procurement NPI teams on supplier selection for key materials during new product introductions.
• Negotiate supplier agreements and develop frameworks for productivity and quality plans.
• Conduct frequent business and performance reviews with suppliers to improve KPIs.

Skills

Advanced Excel

Contract negotiations

Data reporting

Education

Bachelor's Degree

MBA (preferred)

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Job description

Category Lead

Location: Shakopee, Minnesota, United States

In our ‘always on’ world, we believe it’s essential to have a genuine connection with the work you do.

At the furthest frontiers of innovation, CommScope Data Center Solutions is committed to helping our partners and customers think bigger, build better and evolve smarter in their data center and central office connectivity strategies. As the collaborative, go-to authority for high-density, low-latency fiber‑optic infrastructure, CommScope Data Center Solutions helps the world’s networks scale up, scale out and scale across.

With the global manufacturing capacity to meet customers’ ambitious growth, our solutions help conquer network complexity, accelerate deployments and deliver long‑term evolutionary performance. Together, we help operators stay ahead of evolving AI applications and increasing demands.

CommScope is recruiting a Category Lead to join our growing team! Candidates will be based in Shakopee, MN, Catawba, North Carolina, or Apex, North Carolina.

Key Responsibilities

• Drive the global sourcing strategy for supplier spend exceeding $120M.
• Responsible for leading global cross‑functional teams in support of the fiber cable category strategies and initiatives.
• Provide regular updates to key stakeholders on commodity price and lead‑time movements along with recommendations on relevant actions.
• Thorough understanding of commodity markets to facilitate proactive pricing and supply strategies.
• Improve the management of the global procurement spend by providing input to the global processes, policies, and procedures.
• Drive cost reduction objectives with responsibility to deliver on the annual cost reduction plan (PIP’s) for materials, parts, and assemblies.
• Provide support to the Procurement NPI teams on the introduction of new products in terms of supplier selection for key critical materials.
• Ensure the timely negotiation of all supplier agreements (including the development of framework for productivity and quality plans). Negotiate and manage vendor agreements, encouraging compliance by both supplier and end users. Drive efforts to achieve total cost solutions for the complete supply chain.
• Conduct frequent business and performance reviews with suppliers to improve performance to Key Performance Indicators (KPIs).

Required Qualifications

• Bachelors Degree.
• 8+ years of experience in procurement, supply chain, manufacturing, or related field.
• 5+ years of experience in contract negotiations.
• Ability to independently perform V‑lookups, pivot tables, charts, create reports, present reports to stakeholders as needed.
• Willing and able to travel domestically and internationally as needed.

Preferred Qualifications

• MBA.

Benefits and Compensation

• Comprehensive benefits package, including paid vacation, medical, dental, and vision plans, life and accidental death insurance, 401(k) plan, and participation in the Company’s Long Term Incentive Plan.
• Salary range $118,000 – $153,000 based on level and experience.
• Eleven paid holidays in a full calendar year, two weeks of paid vacation prorated based on start date, and other leave options.

CommScope is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EEO), including people with disabilities and veterans. If you are seeking an accommodation for the application or interview process, please contact us at [e-mail].