Category Manager - Indirect Procurement

Luxottica; Dallas (TX); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health care

Retirement plan

Paid time off

Employee discounts

Bonus/Commission plan

Job summary

EssilorLuxottica seeks a Category Manager – Indirect Procurement to own category strategies across designated indirect spend areas. You will drive value, optimize suppliers, manage risk, and lead multi-year initiatives with analytical rigor and data-driven decision making.

You will partner with internal stakeholders to optimize total cost, service levels, and compliance, while monitoring trends and reporting quarterly savings and performance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience.
• 3-6 years of relevant business experience.
• 3+ years in procurement, strategic sourcing, or category management.
• Strong Excel skills (pivot tables, lookups, modeling).
• Experience running RFIs, RFQs, and RFPs.
• Ability to influence senior stakeholders and lead cross-functional initiatives.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office; Excel required.

Responsibilities

• Lead strategic sourcing initiatives including RFIs, RFQs, and RFPs.
• Conduct detailed financial analyses and TCO modeling.
• Guide cross-functional project teams on category initiatives.
• Evaluate supplier performance with KPIs and analytics.
• Develop supplier portfolio strategies and risk mitigation.
• Execute multi-year category strategies aligned to business goals.
• Monitor trends, spend, and budget alignment; report savings.
• Support contract development with Legal and business owners.
• Ensure timely procurement from approved suppliers.

Skills

Excel proficiency

Stakeholder influence

Analytical thinking

Data interpretation

Category management

RFI/RFQ/RFP events

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent

Tools

Ariba/SAP

PowerPoint

Job description

We are a global leader in the design, manufacture, and distribution of ophthalmic lenses, frames, and sunglasses. We offer our industry stakeholders in over 150 countries access to a global platform of high-quality vision care products such as the Essilor brand, with Varilux, Crizal, Eyezen, Stellest and Transitions, iconic brands that consumers love such as Ray-Ban, Oakley, Persol and Oliver Peoples, as well as a network that offers consumers high-quality vision care and best-in-class shopping experiences such as Sunglass Hut, LensCrafters, and Target Optical, and leading e-commerce platforms.

Our portfolio of more than 150 renowned brands span various categories, from frames, lenses and instruments to brick and mortar and digital distribution as well as mid-range to premium segments. Our Shared Services Team, accompany and enable others within the EssilorLuxottica collective to achieve their targets. They keep people and projects running smoothly, ensuring every part of our business is provided for and well taken care of.

The Category Manager – Indirect Procurement owns category strategies across designated indirect spend categories, driving value creation, supplier optimization, risk mitigation, and long-term sourcing initiatives across the enterprise. This role applies strong analytical rigor, cost modeling, market intelligence, and data-driven decision making. The Category Manager partners with internal stakeholders to optimize total cost, service levels, supplier performance, and execution of multi-year category strategies.

MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Lead strategic sourcing initiatives, including RFIs, RFQs, and RFPs, and category transformation programs across assigned spend categories.
• Conduct detailed financial and Excel-based analyses to support recommendations, including TCO models, bid comparisons, and scenario modeling.
• Lead cross-functional project teams on category initiatives, supplier transitions, demand management, and cost optimization programs.
• Evaluate supplier performance using KPIs and analytics; drive corrective action and performance improvement where needed.
• Develop supplier portfolio strategies, including supplier consolidation, risk mitigation, innovation programs, and strategic partnerships.
• Develop and execute multi-year category strategies aligned with business objectives, market dynamics, spend profiles, and enterprise priorities.
• Identify opportunities for spend consolidation, process simplification, and improved purchasing compliance.
• Build strong partnerships with internal stakeholders to understand requirements, gather specifications, and provide procurement insights.
• Monitor category trends, spend patterns, and budget alignment; prepare quarterly reporting on savings, performance, and project status.
• Support contract development and negotiation in collaboration with Legal and internal business owners.
• Ensure timely procurement of goods and services from approved suppliers while maintaining compliance with sourcing policies.
• Maintain accurate supplier and category data for reporting, analytics, and performance tracking.
• Contribute to continuous improvement efforts in procurement processes, tools, templates, and systems.

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience
• 3-6 years of relevant business experience
• 3+ years in procurement, strategic sourcing, or category management roles, preferably in indirect procurement
• Strong analytical capabilities with demonstrated proficiency in Excel (pivot tables, VLOOKUP/XLOOKUP, modeling, data cleaning)
• Understanding standard procurement practices, sourcing methodologies, and contract basics
• Experience running competitive bid events (RFI/RFQ/RFP)
• Demonstrated experience developing and implementing category strategies with measurable business impact.
• Experience influencing senior stakeholders and leading cross-functional initiatives.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Excel required, PowerPoint and Word strong plus)
• Strong problem-solving, analytical,data interpretation, and critical-thinking skills

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience with procurement systems or e-sourcing platforms, preferably Ariba or SAP
• Exposure to category management principles in indirect categories
• Experience supporting budgeting, forecasting, or financial analysis.

This posting is for an existing vacancy within our business.Employee pay is determined by multiple factors, including geography, experience, qualifications, skills and local minimum wage requirements. In addition, you may also be offered a competitive bonus and/or commission plan, which complements a first-class total rewards package. Benefits may include health care, retirement savings, paid time off/vacation, and various employee discounts.

EssilorLuxottica complies with all applicable laws related to the application and hiring process. If you would like to provide feedback regarding an active job posting, or if you are an individual with a disability who would like to request a reasonable accommodation, please call the EssilorLuxottica SpeakUp Hotline at 844-303-0229 (be sure to provide your name, job id number, and contact information so that we may follow up in a timely manner) or email [e-mail]

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, gender, national origin, social origin, social condition, being perceived as a victim of domestic violence, sexual aggression or stalking, religion, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, citizenship, ancestry, veteran or military status, marital status, pregnancy (including unlawful discrimination on the basis of a legally protected pregnancy or maternity leave), genetic information or any other characteristics protected by law. Native Americans in the US receive preference in accordance with Tribal Law.