Category Manager - OEM

Service Logic, LLC; Charlotte (NC); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

A key player in HVAC supply chain management is seeking a Category Manager to lead sourcing strategy and supplier management for HVAC equipment manufacturers. The role involves developing sourcing strategies, managing supplier performance, and translating procurement goals into actionable outcomes. Ideal candidates will have 7-10 years of experience in sourcing and strong analytical skills. Join a company focused on balancing cost improvement and service reliability in a decentralized environment.

Qualifications

• 7–10 years of experience in strategic sourcing, procurement, or category management.
• Demonstrated experience leading sourcing initiatives and supplier negotiations.
• Strong analytical capability and comfort working with incomplete or fragmented data.

Responsibilities

• Develop and own sourcing strategies for assigned categories.
• Lead strategic sourcing initiatives, including RFI/RFP processes.
• Manage supplier performance across pricing, service levels, and lead times.

Skills

Strategic sourcing

Supplier negotiation

Analytical skills

Stakeholder management

Commercial judgment

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain or related field

Job description

Description

Role Overview

Service Logic is seeking a Category Manager to lead sourcing strategy and supplier management for key spend categories within a decentralized, field-driven organization.

The Category Manager – OEM Equipment owns enterprise sourcing strategy and supplier relationships for HVAC equipment manufacturers, including national account development, supplier negotiations, and overall category performance across Service Logic business units.

While branch-level teams execute day-to-day purchasing, this role defines sourcing strategy, supplier programs, and purchasing guardrails within a center-led procurement model, partnering closely with operational leadership to translate those strategies into adoption across the field.

Success in this role requires balancing cost improvement with service reliability in a technician-centered operating environment while strengthening procurement capabilities as data, systems, and governance continue to mature.

Core Responsibilities

Category Strategy & Value Creation

• Develop and own sourcing strategies for assigned categories, including supplier selection, commercial models, and category roadmaps aligned with operational and financial goals
• Identify, quantify, and deliver savings opportunities using levers such as pricing, rebates, supplier consolidation, and standardization
• Use spend analytics, supplier insights, and market benchmarks to prioritize initiatives and track category performance
• Ensure sourcing strategies support field operations, balancing cost improvement with service levels and technician productivity

Strategic Sourcing & Negotiation

• Lead strategic sourcing initiatives, including RFI/RFP processes and supplier negotiations
• Structure and execute supplier agreements covering pricing, rebates, service levels, and commercial terms
• Partner with operational teams to implement sourcing strategies, ensuring negotiated agreements translate into real operational and financial outcomes

Supplier & Program Management

• Own enterprise supplier relationships within assigned categories, including performance management and commercial governance
• Manage supplier performance across pricing, service levels, lead times, and contract compliance through regular business reviews
• Define preferred supplier strategies and purchasing guardrails to guide decentralized buying decisions
• Drive adoption of procurement programs across business units, partnering with local leaders and buyers to ensure compliance and capture realized savings

Category-Specific Responsibilities

• Develop and manage national account strategies with major HVAC OEMs (e.g., Trane, Carrier, Daikin, Lennox)
• Negotiate equipment pricing programs, discount structures, and rebate agreements that improve commercial economics while maintaining competitiveness in the field
• Define preferred OEM strategies and coordinate equipment standards across Service Logic business units.
• Balance national OEM programs with regional distributor relationships to ensure programs are operationalized effectively through local supply channels
• Partner with operations to ensure supplier programs support project timelines, equipment availability, and service requirements
• Monitor OEM and distributor performance (pricing, lead times, warranty support, service levels) and drive continuous improvement through regular supplier reviews

Requirements

Core Capabilities & Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Procurement, Finance, Business, or related field
• 7–10 years of experience in strategic sourcing, procurement, or category management
• Demonstrated experience leading sourcing initiatives and supplier negotiations
• Strong analytical capability and comfort working with incomplete or fragmented data
• Ability to influence decentralized teams without direct reporting authority
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills
• Strong commercial judgment and financial acumen