Category Manager

Mueller Water Products; Georgia; On-site; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental & vision insurance

401k with company match

Employee stock purchase plan (ESPP)

Paid parental leave

Job summary

Mueller Water Products is seeking a Category Manager to lead sourcing strategies across industrial and/or electronics components. You will drive cross-functional collaboration, manage spend, and guide make-vs-buy decisions in support of Mueller’s smart products.

The role requires a strong procurement background, electronics experience, and excellent negotiation and leadership skills. You will partner with engineering and operations globally to optimize value and risk management.

Qualifications

• Relevant procurement/sourcing background with electronics & tech knowledge.
• Exceptional interpersonal and team-working skills.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to influence and lead without formal authority.
• Strong negotiation and supplier management skills.
• Experience creating and managing RFP/RFQ processes.
• Able to manage multiple sourcing activities & meet deadlines.
• Global mindset and adaptability to diverse cultures.

Responsibilities

• Partner with business units to capture needs and drive sourcing outcomes.
• Manage annual spend and develop/execute category strategies.
• Lead make-or-buy decisions and assess Mueller manufacturing capabilities.
• Develop supplier relationships and contracts for strategic accounts.
• Coordinate with Engineering to meet technical, cost, and business goals.
• Monitor market trends and supplier risk, driving reductions where possible.
• Lead supplier development and corrective action processes as needed.
• Communicate project status in cross-functional meetings.
• Ensure supplier compliance with Mueller policies and requirements.

Skills

Procurement background

Electronics knowledge

Interpersonal skills

Analytical skills

Verbal communications

Negotiation skills

RFP/RFQ process

Leadership by influence

Global mindset

Sourcing activity management

Education

BA/BS in Supply Chain or Engineering

Job description

Who We Are

Thank you for your interest in Mueller Water Products, Inc.

Who We Are

Thank you for your interest in Mueller Water Products, Inc.

For more than 165 years, Mueller Water Products, Inc. has been building the future of water infrastructure. From lifesaving fire protection to data intelligence, we are committed to developing products and solutions that help cities and utilities deliver clean, safe drinking water to hundreds of millions of people across North America.

Our purpose is to connect communities to water, life’s most essential resource, with exceptional, people solutions and products. Behind that purpose is a dedicated team, united by our shared values of respect, integrity, trust, inclusion and safety. With a vision to be the leader in water infrastructure solutions—solving challenges, enriching lives and safeguarding the future, we are making a positive impact that will last for generations.

By joining Mueller, you become part of a dynamic team dedicated to excellence and innovation, working collaboratively to achieve meaningful results. We champion our people because when they succeed, our communities thrive. We invite you to learn more about career opportunities with us and consider submitting your application.

Category Manager

The Category Manager will play a pivotal role as our subject matter expert for supply chains which include a variety of industrial and/or electronics components. The person in the role will lead the development and execution of sourcing strategies, and the introduction of supply chains for smart products and solutions throughout Mueller’s organization. The position navigates across supply categories and business units engaging and leading cross‑functional teams to deliver the business needs. Also, the role is expected to provide strong functional leadership to Mueller purchase personnel driving excellence to that team. The Category Manager will be involved in multiple categories, based on strength and experiences of the applicant. Background in industrial manufacturing sourcing, and/or electronics is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Be a business partner for the assigned Category, and Mueller Operations capturing the business needs, and pursuing it as expected.
• Manage an annual turnover in spend, create and implement source strategies supported by a strong understanding of Mueller business.
• Manage price/cost according to the company’s objectives and market fluctuations.
• Develop and Implement Source Strategies. Understand the full business potential (best cost possible) and set up a plan to get there.
• Operate as a functional leader for the purchasing dept. within the assigned value stream.
• Supplier relationship management for strategic accounts. Develop and manage supplier contracts.
• Understand Mueller manufacturing capabilities to lead make or buy decisions and executions.
• Understand the business demand and identify suppliers that exercise the Mueller’s production planning, review supplier capacity, inventory and buy ahead.
• Report (as required) status and support project team meetings, value stream meetings, steering committee meetings and stakeholders.
• Play as subject matter expert for systems & technologies supply chains.
• Lead the supplier development process when appropriate managing risk, developing supplier capabilities & quality and leading corrective actions.
• Support Mueller’s supply chain risk management program, identifying risks and leading projects towards continuous risk reduction.
• Work closely with Engineering to influence technical design decisions to meet technical capabilities, cost, and business objectives.
• Ensure suppliers comply to Mueller’s requirements and policies.
• Remain knowledgeable about all aspects of the value stream supply chain which includes economic & supply chain trends, technologies, legislation, environmental aspects, global tariffs, etc.

Required Competences

• Relevant procurement/sourcing background with demonstrated knowledge on electronics and technologies
• Exceptional interpersonal skills and the ability to work in a team focused atmosphere
• Strong analytical skills
• Effective verbal and written communications skills
• Ability to manage/lead through influence
• Strong competitive negotiation skills
• Ability to develop/create/manage RFP/RFQ process
• Ability to advance plan, organize, and prioritize workload in order to meet project deadlines
• Complete tasks within the requested timeline, with limited oversight
• Global and diversity mindset. Ability to adapt to cultural or situational differences
• Risk awareness and mitigation
• Demonstrate relentless seek of improvement and value generation
• Solid business acumen
• Ability to learn quickly and manage sourcing activities in multiple purchasing groups as needed (technologies, manufacturing, services, foundry, fabrication, raw materials…)

Desired Qualifications

• BA or BS in Supply Chain, Engineering, Business Management, or relevant area
• Min 6 years of relevant experience
• Strong background in Manufacturing
• Professional Certification in Purchasing, Sourcing, Procurement or Supply Chain

Other Compensation & Benefits

Mueller offers an excellent salary and benefits package. Current benefit offerings include medical, dental, and vision insurance, 401k plan with 5% Company match, Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP), short‑term and long‑term disability benefits, vacation, 100% paid parental leave, tuition reimbursement program, student debt retirement matching, well‑being program, Employee Assistance Program (EAP), company‑provided life insurance, supplemental insurance at group rates, and more.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Mueller Water Products, Inc., as well as its subsidiaries, are equal employment employers. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, and/or expression), age, national origin, disability, citizenship status (except as authorized by law), protected veteran status, genetic information, and any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. In keeping with its obligations under applicable federal, state, and local law, Mueller will make reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities. To request a reasonable accommodation at any time during the application or interview process, please contact a member of the Human Resources Department.

Notice Of E-Verify Participation

This employer participates in E‑Verify. E‑Verify is a web‑based system that allows employers to confirm the eligibility of their employees to work in the United States. The system compares information from an employee’s Form I‑9, Employment Eligibility Verification, to data from U.S. Department of Homeland Security and Social Security Administration records. This notice applies to all applicants and employees, including those hired to work remotely.

Upon enrollment, employers participating in E‑Verify are required to clearly display the Notice of E‑Verify Participation and Right to Work posters in English and Spanish, both which may be accessed at the links provided below.

IER Right to Work Poster (English/Spanish)

E‑Verify Participation Poster (English/Spanish)

Accommodation

If you require accommodations during any stage of the application or interview process, please let us know. We are happy to work with you to meet your needs.