Category Manager GCF – Manufacturing Services

Global cellulose fibers; Memphis (TN); On-site; USD 121,000 - 161,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Life insurance

401(k) retirement plan

Paid Time Off

Job summary

Global Cellulose Fibers in Memphis, TN seeks a Category Manager for Manufacturing Services to lead procurement, negotiate strategic sourcing, and manage high-value contracts across multiple facilities.

You will drive cost reductions, lead buyers, collaborate with engineering and finance, and oversee supplier relationships, with possible travel based on project demands.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required.
• 5+ years of manufacturing/facilities purchasing experience preferred.
• Leadership and strategic thinking skills essential.
• Strong communication and analytical abilities required.
• Experience with supplier management and contract negotiation advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Achieve targeted cost reductions using Strategic Sourcing.
• Lead as Lead Buyer and Team Leader for Manufacturing Services sourcing events.
• Develop opportunities to reduce life cycle cost by engaging suppliers.
• Ensure compliance with procurement standards and collaborate across regions.
• Govern facility purchases and supplier issues; authorize purchases above authority levels.

Skills

Strategic sourcing

Leadership

Negotiation

Analytical thinking

Presentation skills

Communication

Problem solving

Planning

Business acumen

Decision making

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

Category Manager GCF - Manufacturing Services

Pay Rate

$121,000 - $161,300

Multiple factors, including Individual experience, skills and abilities will determine where an employee is ultimately placed in the pay range

Category/Shift

Salaried Full-Time

Location

Memphis, TN 38197

About The Role

This position is responsible for the procurement of:

• Manufacturing Services required to support manufacturing facility maintenance and operations
• Position could include MRO categories and some Capital

Engagement typically involves purchases that are greater than $1,000,000. The Category Manager will effectively utilize the Strategic Sourcing process to increase value to GCF. Scope includes procurement strategy development, negotiations, advanced analytical tools, contract management, warranty enforcement and ongoing supplier management. Situations can require acting in a lead or team member role. Assignments can involve any of GCF's facilities and includes leadership for relationships with strategic suppliers. There is the possibility of travel based on project demands.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Achieve targeted cost reductions through application of the Strategic Sourcing process, understanding of available technologies, bidder selection, effective buying strategies, negotiations and value-based decision making.
• Act as Lead Buyer and Team Leader for the execution of sourcing event activities for Manufacturing Services Categories. Utilize the Strategic Sourcing process to create effective strategies that deliver maximum cost reduction and value creation. Effective engagement and facilitation of a diverse team including mill stakeholders, assistant buyers, financial analysts, Global Sourcing COE and other subject matter experts is essential to success.
• Develop and drive opportunities for reduction of life cycle cost by engaging key suppliers in suggesting improvements to our operations, processes, or procedures with the goal of reducing total cost of ownership (TCO).
• Ensure compliance with standards and policies with key stakeholders throughout the procurement process. Will routinely collaborate with Regional Engineering Offices, Facility Sourcing professionals and Engineers, consulting engineers and Technology.
• Serve in a governance role in support of facility purchases and supplier issues:
  • Offer strategies and advice; identify supplier contacts
  • Assist in evaluations and achieve problem resolution
  • Authorize purchase decisions for amounts above facility authority level including oversight of bid selection process
• Lead and participate in activities to continuously improve the effectiveness of the department through application of Manufacturing Excellence tools, identification of opportunity areas and effective communication with all stakeholder groups.
• Ownership of assigned renewable contracts requires oversight of both category-based and single facility contracts. Success metrics are:
  • Timely renewal of contracts
  • Effective and creative strategy development
  • Strong Category Management - Sufficient supply options, new supplier development, Total Cost of Ownership reduction, KPI tracking, dispute settlement, strong supplier relationships; includes long term strategy for improvement; key indicator is mill/stakeholder satisfaction
  • Fair and rapid resolution of performance disputes and contract related issues

About You: Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Bachelors Degree required.
• A minimum of 5 years work experience is needed with manufacturing facility, industry, extended purchasing or capital project experience preferred.
• Successful candidates should have demonstrated leadership skills, technical aptitude, strategic thinking skills, effective communication skills, analytical skills, an understanding of business and financial basics, the ability to work independently and the ability to act as a team player including the strength/ability to stand alone when necessary.
• A strong customer focus is important for collaborating and interfacing with stakeholders.
• Good PC skills are needed for accessing financial data, analyzing alternatives, and preparing presentations.
• Knowledge of policies and procedures and the legal aspects of purchasing are desirable.
• Ability to work in a global environment with multinational team and customers.
• Negotiating, Action Oriented, Drive for Results, Priority Setting, Timely Decision Making, Decision Quality, Dealing with Ambiguity, Managerial Courage, Planning, Business Acumen, Conflict Management, Building Effective Teams, Customer Focus, Process Management, Presentation Skills, Problem Solving, Interpersonal Savvy, Functional/Technical Skills

About Global Cellulose Fibers (GCF):

Our GCF business helps customers transform renewable cellulose fibers into essential everyday products. Our safe, high-quality pulp forms the basis for a wide range of applications like towel and tissue products, diapers, feminine care, incontinence and other personal care products that promote health and wellness. In addition, our specialty pulp serves as a sustainable raw material used in construction materials, paints, coatings and more. GCF generated $2.8B in revenue in 2024 and has 3,300 employees globally, with nine manufacturing facilities and eight regional offices. Additional information can be found by visiting globalcellulosefibers.com.

Why GCF:

Global Cellulose Fibers promotes employee well-being by providing safe, caring and inclusive workplaces. We have team members all around the world with diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. These are our strengths. We are committed to creating a culture where all individuals are respected, valued, engaged and have an opportunity to do their best work every day. We invite you to bring your uniqueness, creativity, talents, experiences, and safety mindset to be a part of our increasingly inclusive and diverse culture.

We've Got You Covered:

At Global Cellulose Fibers, our employees are our most important asset and that's reflected in our benefits package that includes health, welfare and retirement plans. We are proud to offer a variety of benefits to support our employees and their families, including:

• Medical, Dental, Life insurance
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Short-term and Long-term Disability
• 401(k) and Company-funded retirement contributions
• Paid Time Off

Physical Location of Position

Memphis Corporate Office

6400 Poplar Ave.

Memphis, TN 38197

Global Cellulose Fibers is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law. Global Cellulose Fibers complies with federal and state disability laws and makes reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact [e-mail] or [phone].