Category Manager - Nuclear - Supply Chain

Aptara; San Luis Obispo (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Aptara in California seeks a senior procurement professional to lead strategic sourcing across software, hardware, and telecom categories, driving cost savings and value for the business.

You will develop category strategies, manage Tier 1 contracts, and collaborate with senior leadership to align sourcing with corporate goals. This role emphasizes supplier relationships, risk assessment, and cross-functional leadership.

Qualifications

• Nuclear industry experience is required.
• Experience managing category strategies and supplier relationships.
• Contract and negotiation experience is essential.
• 10 years of supply chain and strategic sourcing experience preferred.
• Strong negotiation skills with demonstrated cost savings.
• Preferred certifications: Lean Six Sigma, ISM or CPSM.

Responsibilities

• Conduct and document market research and supplier risk analysis to verify the financial health of existing and potential suppliers.
• Create and maintain category plans.
• Develop and review performance data with suppliers. Work with suppliers to drive ongoing value discovery.
• Develop and sustain mutually beneficial strategic relationships with tier 1 and cross-portfolio suppliers.
• Lead cross-functional team through strategic sourcing process and development/execution of negotiation strategies for software, hardware, and telecom categories.
• Lead the development of category strategies of high complexity.
• Maintain awareness of industry and market trends through ongoing research.
• Set market trends on particular commodities by working with the industry on best practices.
• Subject matter expert for particular commodities or services in the industry.
• Work with senior management to support strategic planning and decision-making at the officer level.
• Develop and manage one or more sourcing spend categories and manages all Tier 1 contracts associated with the category(ies).
• Develop strategic category plans to optimize cost savings, service excellence, diversity spend and total cost of ownership for the categories.
• Effectively influences LOBs, including senior leadership, to achieve understanding, acceptance, and commitment of sourcing strategies.
• Work with Line of Business (LOB) to develop, source and negotiate major contracts.
• Play a key role in Supplier Relationship Management / Scorecard process.

Skills

Nuclear industry experience

Category management

Negotiation

Supply chain experience

Education

Lean Six Sigma

ISM / CPSM certifications

Professional certification in supply management

Job description

Responsibilities:

• Conduct and document market research and supplier risk analysis to verify the financial health of existing and potential suppliers
• Create and maintain category plans.
• Develop and review performance data with suppliers. Work with suppliers to drive ongoing value discovery.
• Develop and sustain mutually beneficial strategic relationships with tier 1 and cross-portfolio suppliers.
• Lead cross-functional team through strategic sourcing process and development/execution of negotiation strategies for software, hardware, and telecom categories
• Lead the development of category strategies of high complexity
• Maintain awareness of industry and market trends through ongoing research
• Set market trends on particular commodities by working with the industry on best practices.
• Subject matter expert for particular commodities or services in the industry.
• Work with senior management to support strategic planning and decision-making at the officer level'
• Develop and manage one or more sourcing spend categories and manages all Tier 1 contracts associated with the category(ies).
• Develop strategic category plans to optimize cost savings, service excellence, diversity spend and total cost of ownership for the categories.
• Effectively influences LOBs, including senior leadership, to achieve understanding, acceptance, and commitment of sourcing strategies.
• Work with Line of Business (LOB) to develop, source and negotiate major contracts.
• Play a key role in Supplier Relationship Management / Scorecard process.

Requirements:

• Nuclear industry experience
• Category management experience
• Contract and negotiation experience
• 10 years of experience in supply chain and strategic sourcing preferred
• Strong negotiation skills with demonstrated cost savings
• Preferred certifications: (LSS) Lean Six Sigma Certification, (ISM) Institute for Supply Management or (CPSM) Certified Professional in Supply Management certification