Category Manager

Mueller Water Products; United States; Remote; USD 110,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

medical, dental, and vision insurance

401k plan with 5% Company match

Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP)

short-term and long-term disability

vacation

100% paid parental leave

tuition reimbursement

well-being program

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

life insurance

Job summary

Mueller Water Products is seeking a Category Manager in the United States to lead sourcing strategies across multiple categories, including electronics components. You will partner with operations, engineering, and cross-functional teams to deliver cost-effective, high-quality supply solutions.

The role requires a strong procurement background, excellent negotiation and analytical skills, and the ability to lead through influence.

Qualifications

• Procurement/sourcing background with electronics and technologies
• Strong analytical and interpersonal skills
• Excellent verbal and written communications
• Ability to influence and lead across teams
• Strong negotiation skills and RFP/RFQ experience
• Experience managing multiple purchasing groups and projects
• Global and diversity mindset with risk awareness
• Certifications in purchasing/sourcing is a plus
• Bachelor’s degree in relevant field required
• Min 6 years of relevant experience preferred

Responsibilities

• Partner with Mueller Operations to capture business needs and execute sourcing.
• Manage annual spend and implement source strategies across categories.
• Control price/cost aligned with objectives and market trends.
• Develop and implement source strategies across value streams.
• Lead the purchasing function within the assigned value stream.
• Manage supplier relationships and contract management.
• Understand manufacturing capabilities for make/buy decisions.
• Identify suppliers to meet demand and manage capacity/inventory.
• Report status and participate in meetings across value streams.
• Lead supplier development and risk reduction initiatives.
• Support supply chain risk management programs and improvement efforts.
• Collaborate with Engineering to meet design, cost, and objective targets.
• Ensure supplier compliance with Mueller requirements and policies.
• Stay informed on market trends, tariffs, and regulatory changes.

Skills

Procurement background

Electronics knowledge

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Leadership by influence

Negotiation skills

RFP/RFQ processes

Project management

Global/diversity mindset

Risk management

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, Procurement or Supply Chain
  

Other Compensation & Benefits:

• 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:

Ifyourequireaccommodationsduringanystageoftheapplicationorinterviewprocess,pleaseletusknow.Wearehappytoworkwithyoutomeetyourneeds.