Category Manager I - Mechanical Equipment

Mortenson; Minneapolis (MN); Hybrid; USD 102,000 - 153,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical and prescription drug plans

401(k) retirement plan

Paid time off

Tuition reimbursement

Gym membership discount

Job summary

A leading construction firm is seeking an experienced Category Manager I in Minneapolis, MN to oversee sourcing strategies for mechanical equipment. In this role, you will optimize costs and enhance supply chain efficiencies while fostering strong relationships with suppliers. The ideal candidate will have over 5 years of experience in strategic material management, strong negotiation skills, and a Bachelor's degree in a related field. This hybrid position offers benefits and a competitive salary range of $102,000 to $153,000 based on experience and location.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience strategically managing category material spend.
• Experience negotiating contracts and procuring commercial mechanical equipment.
• Ability to influence without authority.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement Category Strategy inclusive of stakeholder engagement.
• Manage relationships with key suppliers and conduct reviews.
• Achieve material cost reductions through negotiations.

Skills

Strategic thinking

Negotiation skills

Effective communication

Organization

Active listening

Education

Bachelor's degree in business or related field

Job description

Summary

Mortenson is currently seeking an experienced Category Manager I – Mechanical Equipment responsible for developing, implementing, and managing sourcing strategies for mechanical and electrical equipment categories. This role will focus on optimizing costs, quality, and delivery while improving Supply Chain efficiencies and maintaining supplier relationships.

Hiring Locations

Hybrid in Minneapolis, MN (preferred). Open to other locations such as Phoenix, AZ, Denver, CO, Chicago, IL, Milwaukee, WI, Nashville, TN, Seattle, WA, or Portland, OR.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement Category Strategy for assigned categories, including:
  • Identify and engage stakeholders across engineering and operations to capture category requirements
  • Assess opportunities for categories: spend segmentation, maturity, cost drivers, and supply market analysis
  • Develop sourcing strategy detailing projects, levers, timing, resources, and expected benefits
  • Adapt strategy as business, market, and economic environments change
  • Support annual category reviews with updated projects, metrics, strategy, and risk mitigation
• Manage relationships with key suppliers:
  • Maintain leadership-level relationships
  • Conduct supplier business reviews
  • Monitor supplier quality and delivery performance
  • Leverage relationships to assist buyers with expedites as needed
• Manage financial success of category:
  • Responsible for category financial results and develop strategies to achieve goals
  • Develop pricing strategies for proposals
  • Lead monthly and annual category financial reviews with metrics, forecasts, and strategy
• Achieve material cost reductions:
  • Initiate and conduct supplier contract negotiations
  • Define negotiation strategy including supplier profiles, targets, switching costs, and Total Cost of Ownership (TCO)
  • Monitor market drivers affecting categories: raw material pricing, availability, capacity, disruptions, and new products
  • Forecast, report, mitigate, and recover commodity inflation
• Effectively work and build relationships with diverse backgrounds and organizational levels
• Lead team members by example, offer coaching and feedback, and manage performance
• Other duties as assigned

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in business, supply chain management, construction management, or equivalent technical training
• 5+ years of experience strategically managing category material spend
• Experience negotiating contracts and procuring commercial mechanical equipment directly from manufacturers
• Experience influencing early design phases to expedite procurement processes
• Strong strategic thinking, business acumen, and negotiation skills
• Effective communication and presentation skills
• Strong organization, planning, and decision‑making skills
• Ability to influence without authority
• Active listening skills and openness to diverse input and feedback
• Knowledge of construction processes and materials
• Experience presenting in front of senior leadership
• Ability to travel up to 30%

A Few Benefits Offered Include

• Medical and prescription drug plans (no additional cost vision coverage)
• Dental plan
• 401(k) retirement plan with generous Mortenson match
• Paid time off, holidays, and other paid leaves
• Employer‑paid life, AD&D, and disability insurance
• No‑cost mental health tool and concierge with extensive work‑life resources
• Tuition reimbursement
• Adoption assistance
• Gym membership discount program

The base pay range for this role is $102,000 – $153,000. Actual range is higher for Denver, CO and Chicago, IL – 5%, Seattle, WA, and Portland, OR – 10%, Washington, D.C. – 12.5%.

Visa sponsorship is not offered for this position. Our postings are typically open a minimum of 5 days and an average of 44 days.

About Mortenson

As a top builder, developer, and EPC (Engineering, Procurement, and Construction) company, our expertise spans markets like sports, renewable energy, data centers, healthcare, and more. We are builders at heart, working to ensure the built environment has a lasting positive impact.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Your uniqueness brings new and creative perspectives to the team. Mortenson is committed to providing equal opportunities of employment (EOE) to all individuals, regardless of race, religion, gender, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, marital status, or any other legally protected category.

Other Items To Note

• Mortenson reserves the right to hire any individual without legal or financial obligation on unwanted solicitations. No agency emails, calls, or solicitations are accepted without a valid agreement.
• Must be currently legally authorized to work in the U.S. without sponsorship for employment visa status (e.g., H1B, O‑1, TN, CPT, OPT, etc.). We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa at this time.