Category Manager

Mueller; United States; On-site; USD 90,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Mueller Water Products, Inc. is seeking a Category Manager to lead sourcing strategies across multiple categories, including electronics components, supporting Mueller Operations and engineering teams.

You will partner with suppliers, manage spend, and drive value through effective category management. The role requires a strong procurement background, analytical skills, and the ability to influence cross-functionally.

Qualifications

• Procurement/sourcing background with demonstrated knowledge on electronics and technologies.
• Excellent interpersonal and teamwork skills.
• Strong analytical and negotiation abilities.
• Effective verbal and written communications.
• Ability to lead through influence.
• Experience with RFP/RFQ processes.
• Ability to plan, organize, and prioritize to meet deadlines.
• Global and diversity mindset; adapt to different cultures.
• Risk awareness and continuous improvement mindset.

Responsibilities

• Be a business partner for the assigned Category and Mueller Operations.
• Manage annual spend and develop source strategies.
• Manage price/cost according to objectives and market fluctuations.
• Develop and implement source strategies across value streams.
• Lead the purchasing department within the assigned value stream.
• Supplier relationship management and contract development.
• Understand Mueller manufacturing capabilities to guide make-or-buy decisions.
• Collaborate with Engineering to influence design decisions.
• Ensure supplier compliance with Mueller requirements.
• Support supply chain risk management and continuous risk reduction.
• Monitor economic trends, tariffs, and global factors affecting sourcing.

Skills

Procurement

Sourcing

Electronics knowledge

Analytical skills

Negotiation skills

RFP/RFQ processes

Lead through influence

Cross-functional collaboration

Risk management

Global mindset

Education

BA/BS in Supply Chain, Engineering, or related field

Job description

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, Pr