Category Manager

Solmax; Atlanta (GA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Solmax seeks a Direct Materials Category Manager to own strategy and execution for approximately $100 million in annual non-resin direct-material spend across the Americas, supporting 6 manufacturing facilities. You will lead cross-functional category governance and shape supplier awards, commercial strategies, and risk mitigation.

You will develop multi-year category strategies using market intelligence, cost drivers, and trend analysis to optimize total cost, drive savings, strengthen supplier

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Business, Engineering, Finance, or a related field; equivalent combination of education and experience will be considered.
• Minimum 8–10 years of progressive strategic sourcing, category management, or procurement leadership in a manufacturing environment.
• Demonstrated experience developing category strategies, leading supplier negotiations, and managing high-value direct-material spend.
• Track record of delivering material, audited cost savings through strategic sourcing and negotiations.
• Strong understanding of global trade economics, commodity markets, and cost drivers.
• Ability to operate as an independent business owner, prioritizing opportunities and delivering results with limited oversight.
• Exceptional analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Advanced skills in Excel, Power BI, Tableau, and other procurement analytics tools.
• Executive-level communication skills to present savings, risks, and decisions to senior leadership.

Responsibilities

• Category Management: Develop, execute, and refine multi-year category strategies with quantified savings targets and roadmaps tied to business objectives.
• Supplier Management: Rationalize the supplier base, introduce competition, and ensure accountability to cost, service, and productivity commitments.
• Negotiation: Lead high-impact negotiations for favorable pricing, terms, and service levels, including long-term agreements and index-based pricing.
• Market Analysis: Monitor industry trends, leverage cost models and external insights to inform decisions and protect margins.
• Cost Optimization: Implement cost reduction initiatives and value engineering to improve profitability.
• Risk Management: Identify and mitigate supply chain risks to ensure uninterrupted material availability.
• Quality Assurance: Collaborate with QA teams to maintain product quality and compliance;
• Collaboration: Partner with production, engineering, R&D, and quality teams to support innovation and efficiency.

Skills

Strategic thinking

Negotiation

Cross-functional collaboration

Executive communication

Education

BSc in Supply Chain / Business / Engineering / Finance

Tools

Excel

Power BI

Tableau

Procurement analytics tools

Job description

Position Overview

The Direct Materials Category Manager is responsible for the strategy and commercial performance of approximately $100 million in annual non-resin direct-material spend across the Americas supporting 6manufacturing facilities. Reporting to the Director of Sourcing, this position leads cross-functional category governance and recommends supplier awards, commercial strategies, and risk-mitigation actions within established policies and delegated authority.

Category scope includes finished and semi-finished goods, woven and nonwoven materials, additives, colorants, and packaging. The position applies supply-market intelligence, cost-driver analysis, commodity insights, and emerging technology trends to develop and execute short- and long-term category strategies. Key objectives include optimizing total cost, delivering measurable savings, strengthening supplier performance, mitigating supply risk, and supporting material planning and business continuity.

Key Responsibilities

• Category Management: Develop, execute, and continuously refine multi-year category strategies with quantified savings targets, cost driver transparency, and clear execution roadmaps tied to business objectives.
• Supplier Management: Actively rationalize and manage the supplier base, challenging incumbents, introducing competition, and holding suppliers accountable to cost, service, and productivity commitments.
• Negotiation: Lead complex, high-impact negotiations to secure favorable pricing, terms, and service levels, including long-term agreements, index-based pricing, and cost validation, while ensuring supplier compliance and performance standards.
• Market Analysis: Own supply market intelligence and continuously monitor industry, commodity, and competitive trends, leveraging cost models, market benchmarks, and external insights to inform decisions, challenge cost increases, and protect margins.
• Cost Optimization: Implement cost reduction initiatives and value engineering programs to improve overall profitability and cost competitiveness.
• Risk Management: Proactively identify and mitigate supply chain risks to ensure uninterrupted material availability and minimize disruptions.
• Quality Assurance: Collaborate with quality assurance teams to maintain and improve product quality and compliance with industry standards.
• Collaboration: Partner with production, engineering, R&D, and quality teams to support innovation, product development, and operational efficiency

Qualifications And Skills

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Business, Engineering, Finance, or a related field; equivalent combination of education and relevant experience will be considered
• Minimum 8-10 years of progressive strategic sourcing, category management, or procurement leadership experience within a manufacturing environment.
• Demonstrated experience developing and executing category strategies, leading complex supplier negotiations, and managing high-value direct material spend on a regional or global scale.
• Documented, repeatable track record of delivering material, audited cost savings (e.g., 5–8%+ annually) through strategic sourcing and negotiations.
• Strong understanding of global trade economics, commodity markets, and cost drivers.
• Demonstrated ability to operate as an independent business owner, prioritizing opportunities, managing stakeholders, and delivering results with limited oversight.
• Exceptional analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Advanced skills in Excel, Power BI, Tableau, and other Procurement analytics tools
• Executive-level communication skills, with the ability to clearly present savings, risks, and decisions to senior leadership.
• A commitment to upholding ethical and professional standards.