Category Manager

Gerdau; Midlothian (TX); On-site; USD 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Gerdau is seeking a Category Manager to lead global sourcing initiatives across multiple mills and recycling operations. You will drive sourcing strategies, supplier negotiations, bid processes, and contract management to achieve cost savings and improved supply chain performance.

The role requires 6–10 years in procurement or category management, 3–6 years in global sourcing, and Mandarin fluency for supplier negotiations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Supply Chain, Engineering, or a related field.
• 6 to 10 years of procurement, strategic sourcing, or category management experience.
• 3 to 6 years of Best Cost Country (BCC) or global sourcing experience.
• Mandarin fluency required for supplier negotiations.
• Experience in an industrial, manufacturing, metals, mining, or heavy industrial environment.
• Experience developing sourcing strategies and leading supplier negotiations.
• Strong background in category management, contract management, project management, and strategic planning.
• Experience leading cross-functional teams and influencing stakeholders across multiple functions.
• Knowledge of contemporary procurement practices and sourcing methodologies.
• Experience using SAP and Microsoft Office applications.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute procurement and sourcing strategies for assigned categories at the global, national, and regional levels.
• Lead competitive bid processes, supplier evaluations, and contract negotiations to secure the best overall value for the business.
• Build and maintain strong supplier relationships while driving performance, cost reduction, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Analyze market trends, supplier capabilities, logistics considerations, and business intelligence to support strategic sourcing decisions.
• Partner with operations, engineering, maintenance, and other stakeholders to understand business needs and develop effective supply solutions.
• Support Best Cost Country (BCC) sourcing initiatives and capital project procurement activities.
• Coordinate and lead cross-functional teams through supplier selection, sourcing projects, and procurement initiatives.
• Manage commercial aspects of procurement, including purchase order support and contract administration.
• Monitor supplier performance, risk factors, cost drivers, financial stability, and market conditions to strengthen supply chain resilience.
• Identify opportunities to reduce total cost of ownership through strategic supplier partnerships and continuous improvement efforts.
• Assist with the development of procurement policies, procedures, and training programs across the organization.
• Ensure all sourcing activities align with company procurement standards, ethical business practices, and compliance requirements.

Skills

Sourcing leadership

Contract negotiations

Cross-functional leadership

Supplier relationship management

Market analysis

Procurement strategy

Mandarin fluency

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business or related

Tools

SAP

Microsoft Office

Job description

At Gerdau, we empower our people to grow, thrive, and make a difference—together. With a culture built on trust and teamwork, we offer meaningful work, continuous development, and opportunities to shape your future. We invite you to come work with us, where your contributions are valued, your voice is heard, and your career is forged with purpose

Build Strategic Sourcing Solutions That Drive Impact

Gerdau is seeking a Category Managerto support global sourcing initiatives and strategic procurement activities across multiple steel mills and recycling operations. In this role, you will lead sourcing strategies, supplier negotiations, competitive bidding processes, and contract management efforts that directly impact cost savings, operational performance, and supply chain effectiveness.

If you thrive in a fast-paced manufacturing environment, enjoy negotiating complex agreements, and have experience with global sourcing and category management, this is an exciting opportunity to influence procurement decisions across a large-scale industrial organization.

What You'll Do

• Develop and execute procurement and sourcing strategies for assigned categories at the global, national, and regional levels.
• Lead competitive bid processes, supplier evaluations, and contract negotiations to secure the best overall value for the business.
• Build and maintain strong supplier relationships while driving performance, cost reduction, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Analyze market trends, supplier capabilities, logistics considerations, and business intelligence to support strategic sourcing decisions.
• Partner with operations, engineering, maintenance, and other stakeholders to understand business needs and develop effective supply solutions.
• Support Best Cost Country (BCC) sourcing initiatives and capital project procurement activities.
• Coordinate and lead cross-functional teams through supplier selection, sourcing projects, and procurement initiatives.
• Manage commercial aspects of procurement, including purchase order support and contract administration.
• Monitor supplier performance, risk factors, cost drivers, financial stability, and market conditions to strengthen supply chain resilience.
• Identify opportunities to reduce total cost of ownership through strategic supplier partnerships and continuous improvement efforts.
• Assist with the development of procurement policies, procedures, and training programs across the organization.
• Ensure all sourcing activities align with company procurement standards, ethical business practices, and compliance requirements.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Supply Chain, Engineering, or a related field.
• 6 to 10 years of procurement, strategic sourcing, or category management experience.
• 3 to 6 years of Best Cost Country (BCC) or global sourcing experience.
• Requires professional business fluency in Mandarin (spoken and written) required. Must be able to conduct supplier negotiations and business discussions in Mandarin.
• Experience in an industrial, manufacturing, metals, mining, or heavy industrial environment.
• Experience developing sourcing strategies and leading supplier negotiations.
• Strong background in category management, contract management, project management, and strategic planning.
• Experience leading cross-functional teams and influencing stakeholders across multiple functions.
• Knowledge of contemporary procurement practices and sourcing methodologies.
• Experience using SAP and Microsoft Office applications.
• Strong assessment, communication, and relationship-building skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Professional certification such as CPSM, C.P.M., CSCP, or related Supply Chain/Procurement certification.
• Experience developing market intelligence related to economic, geopolitical, environmental, and supply chain trends.

#StrategicSourcing #GlobalSourcing #BestCostCountry #ManufacturingProcurement #CommodityManagement #SAP #Mandarin

Gerdau believes in equal employment opportunity related to all employees and applicants for employment. It is the policy of Gerdau that there will be no discrimination against any employee or applicant for employment on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, marital status, sex, age, sexual orientation, genetic information, gender identity, veteran status, disability, or other legally protected status. All external applicants must be legally eligible to immediately work in the country of hire without current or future sponsorship.

If you are vision-impaired or have some other disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act / Accessible Canada Act or a similar law, and you wish to discuss potential accommodations related to applying for employment at Gerdau, please contact our Talent Acquisition Team at (866)-788-2798 [e-mail]