Category Manager

LHH; Elgin (IL); On-site; USD 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

LHH partners with a growing organization to hire a Domestic Category Manager who will lead strategic sourcing across domestic packaging categories and drive cost savings. The successful candidate will manage supplier relationships, oversee spend, and guide a team of sourcing professionals within a dynamic procurement environment.

The role requires 8+ years in sourcing or category management, strong leadership, and advanced Excel skills.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of sourcing, procurement, or category management experience.
• Experience developing and executing sourcing strategies.
• 2+ years of leadership experience managing direct reports.
• Strong analytical, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Office skills.
• Knowledge of supply chain, distribution, and inventory management processes.

Responsibilities

• Lead strategic sourcing and supplier management for domestic packaging categories.
• Build and maintain strong supplier relationships and monitor performance.
• Analyze market conditions, supplier capabilities, and cost trends to support decisions.
• Lead negotiations, contracts, and improvement initiatives across categories.

Skills

Sourcing strategy

Supplier management

Leadership

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Negotiation

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Office

Job description

LHH is partnering with a growing organization to hire a Domestic Category Manager. This position will be responsible for leading strategic sourcing initiatives, managing supplier relationships, driving cost savings, and overseeing domestic packaging categories. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in procurement and sourcing, experience within the corrugated packaging industry, and a proven ability to lead teams while driving operational excellence.

Job Responsibilities

Strategic Sourcing & Supplier Management

• Develop and execute sourcing strategies across domestic packaging categories.
• Build and maintain strong supplier relationships while ensuring accountability and performance.
• Analyze market conditions, supplier capabilities, and cost trends to support purchasing decisions.
• Manage supplier negotiations, contracts, and performance initiatives.

Leadership & Team Development

• Lead and develop a team of sourcing professionals.
• Foster a culture of continuous improvement and accountability.
• Partner with internal stakeholders to align sourcing strategies with organizational goals.

Analysis & Process Improvement

• Analyze spend data, market intelligence, and category performance metrics.
• Identify and implement process improvements to enhance procurement efficiency.
• Establish and achieve annual savings objectives.
• Monitor supplier assignments, pricing, item setup accuracy, and inventory-related data across a large product portfolio.

Basic Qualifications

• 8+ years of sourcing, procurement, or category management experience.
• Experience developing and executing sourcing strategies.
• Experience managing supplier relationships and vendor negotiations.
• 2+ years of leadership experience managing direct reports preferred.
• Strong analytical, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Office skills.
• Knowledge of supply chain, distribution, transportation, and inventory management processes.

Preferred Qualifications

• Corrugated packaging industry experience.
• Established network within the corrugated supplier community.
• Experience leading procurement, sourcing, or category management teams.
• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Business, Finance, or a related field preferred.

If you're a procurement and sourcing leader looking for an opportunity to make a significant impact within a growing organization, we'd love to hear from you.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disabled

The Company will consider qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records in accordance with federal, state, and local laws and/or security clearance requirements, including, as applicable:

• The California Fair Chance Act
• Los Angeles City Fair Chance Ordinance
• Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers
• San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers