Category Manager

Gerdau North America; Midlothian (TX); On-site; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive STI bonuses

401K with company match

Tuition reimbursement

Life insurance

Health and vision plans

Career path and training

Job summary

Gerdau North America is seeking a Category Manager- Indirect Materials & Services to lead strategic procurement. You will drive global and national category strategies, manage supplier relationships, and coordinate cross-functional teams in a manufacturing environment. Travel up to 15% is expected.

You will report to the Manager, Commodities and Service Corp, and work with internal customers to optimize cost, quality, and lead times while maintaining ethical sourcing practices.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering or Business Administration is required.
• 3–5 years of procurement experience in industrial or manufacturing settings.
• Experience in project management, strategic planning, and contract negotiations.
• Global sourcing experience and leading cross-functional teams preferred.
• Knowledge of SAP and modern procurement processes required.
• Willingness to travel up to 15%.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute procurement strategies for assigned categories globally and nationally.
• Lead RFQs and RFPs, manage competitive bid processes, and analyze bids.
• Negotiate and maintain supplier agreements including price, specs, lead times, and incoterms.
• Evaluate supplier performance and drive improvement with stakeholders.
• Collaborate with procurement and operations on continuous cost reduction.

Skills

Analytical skills

Interpersonal communication

Cross-functional teamwork

Strategic thinking

Education

Bachelor's or 4-year degree in Engineering or Business Administration

Tools

SAP

MS 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

Category Manager- Indirect Materials & Services

We Have

• A strong global presence with mini-mills that transform millions of metric tons of raw material to produce steel beams, flat-rolled steel, merchant bar, rebar, spikes, and wire used by the automotive industry, appliance, construction, machinery, and equipment industries.
• A culture that welcomes diversity, encourages innovation and creates products that serve humanity.
• An environment that values teamwork, safety, and sustainability.
• A commitment to continuous improvement and the belief that we can create a better future for our employees and our global community by investing in people, processes, and technology.

We Offer

• Competitive compensation with annual STI Bonuses.
• Comprehensive Medical, Prescription, Dental, Vision Plans – Eligible upon 1st day of hire
• Health & Dependent Care (Flexible Spending Account)
• 100% Matching 401K up to 6%
• Life/Accidental Life Insurance
• Annual Bonus
• Health Advocate Services
• Employee Assistance Program
• Tuition Reimbursement Program
• Career Path System and Training
• An empowering and open culture with the opportunity to grow and create

You Have

• A four-year degree in Engineering or Business Administration
• 3-5 years of procurement experience with exposure in an industrial or manufacturing environment
• Previous experience in project management, strategic planning, performance management, contract negotiations, and working in cross-functional teams
• Previous experience in global sourcing initiatives, leading cross-functional teams, and SAP knowledge is required
• Working knowledge in the contemporary procurement process is required
• Interpersonal and communication skills to effectively interact with all levels of management
• Strong analytical and computer skills (MS Office Suite) are a must. Professional certification in Procurement or Supply Chain Management preferred.
• Ability to travel up to 15% of the time.

Your Purpose

You will coordinate and manage the strategic procurement process for assigned categories to ensure the cost-effectiveness acquisition of Internal Industrial Services for Gerdau North America. These activities include but are not limited to the development and execution of procurement strategies, bid process and negotiations, team-based supplier selection and development, and contract management. You will report directly to the Manager, Commodities, and Service Corp for the assigned area of responsibility (i.e. Production Materials, MRO, Services, or CAPEX).

Your Work

• Lead the development of procurement strategies for assigned categories at all levels (global & national), ensuring cost-effective results, and ethical procurement practices.
  • Analyze category market attributes such as the number of suppliers, competitiveness, logistics, technology, criticality, market complexity, alternative products, etc.
  • Engage internal customers to fully understand the impact of each category on the operation.
  • Utilize market and business intelligence to effectively develop procurement strategies.
  • Continuously gather and maintain pertinent key supplier and market intelligence for assigned categories, such as financial performance, business activities, negotiation history, cost drivers, and supplier performance in order to support effective decision making, negotiation planning, and to reduce supply chain risk.
• Negotiate, develop, and manage supply agreements for assigned categories.
  • Lead the development of Requests for Quotations and Requests for Proposals.
  • Effectively manage the competitive bid process.
  • Analyze competitive bids and develop negotiation strategies.
• Negotiate and develop agreements for assigned categories.
  • Identify opportunities to lower costs through negotiation strategy development and identifying product alternatives.
  • Ensure contracts are accurately initiated and maintained. This includes key information such as price, specifications, lead time, incoterms, etc.
• Effectively execute the supplier performance evaluation and development process with key stakeholders.
  • Monitor supplier performance and engage key stakeholders for input.
  • Periodically meet with suppliers to develop actions to improve supplier performance and/or capabilities.
• Work with key stakeholders to identify, plan, and execute continuous improvement opportunities to decrease the total cost of ownership.
• Annually meet with key stakeholders to identify areas for continuous improvement as it pertains to procurement.
• Facilitate the engagement of suppliers to assist in the action plan to improve the total cost of ownership.
• Stay engaged with business activities by attending routine meetings with key stakeholders.
• Respond promptly to internal customer needs.
• Participate and act as a facilitator on cross-functional teams (procurement and operations)
• Carry out company policies regarding procurement practices, standards, and ethical conduct to ensure a fair, effective, and competitive sourcing process throughout the organization.
• Assist with the development of policies and procedures regarding the service delivery model and the strategic procurement process. Train procurement staff and non-procurement personnel on processes and procedures.
• Under the direction of senior procurement personnel, work with local and regional procurement and operations personnel to implement inventory policies for assigned categories.

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 or [e-mail]