Category Manager - Technical Procurement

Tarter Gate Company, LLC; Dunnville (KY); On-site; USD 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Tarter Gate Company, LLC in Dunnville, KY is seeking a Procurement Technical Category Manager to drive strategic sourcing for technical categories across the product lifecycle. You will partner with Engineering, Operations, Quality, Finance, and leadership to optimize cost, quality, manufacturability, and supply continuity.

You will lead VA/VE initiatives, develop cost models, and manage RFQ/RFP events while influencing early design decisions for new products and product updates.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years of experience in Strategic Sourcing, Engineering, Category Management, or Technical Procurement within a manufacturing environment.
• Experience supporting New Product Introduction (NPI) or New Product Development (NPD) programs.
• Strong knowledge of manufacturing processes.
• Experience with supplier negotiations and strategic sourcing initiatives.
• Experience developing and executing category strategies.
• Strong understanding of supplier cost structures and manufacturing economics.
• Proven success leading VA/VE or cost reduction initiatives.
• Ability to interpret engineering drawings, specifications, and manufacturing documentation.
• Strong analytical, negotiation, and project management skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead technical category management.
• Lead VA/VE and cost-reduction initiatives.
• Develop sourcing strategies and manage RFQ/RFP processes.
• Collaborate with Engineering, Operations, Quality, Finance, and Plant Leadership.
• Ensure sourcing decisions support product launch timelines and cost targets.
• Monitor supplier performance and manage supplier relationships.
• Identify supply risks and mitigation strategies.
• Lead cross-functional sourcing projects.
• Support NPI and NPD programs.
• Drive cost models and should-cost analyses.

Skills

Strategic Sourcing

Technical Procurement

Category Management

Value Analysis / Value Engineering

Cost Modeling

New Product Introduction

New Product Development

Design for Manufacturability

Design for Cost

Design to Value

Project Management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Procurement, Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Business Administration, or a related field

Tools

SAP ERP

Oracle ERP

Epicor ERP

Microsoft Dynamics

Job description

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Category Manager - Technical Procurement

Full Time Dunnville, KY, US

2 days ago Requisition ID: 1839

Salary Range: $85,000.00 To $120,000.00 Annually

Job Title: Procurement Technical Category Manager

Department: Supply Chain / Procurement

Reports To: VP of Procurement

Direct Reports: None

FLSA Status: Exempt

Employment Type: Full-Time

Position Summary

The Procurement Technical Category Manager leads strategic sourcing activities that support New Product Integration (NPI) and drives Value Analysis / Value Engineering (VA/VE) initiatives to optimize cost, quality, manufacturability, and supply continuity.

Partnering closely with Engineering, Operations, Quality, Finance, and Plant Leadership, this role influences supplier selection, manufacturing processes, product design, and sourcing strategies early in product development to enable successful product launches and continuous cost improvement.

Combining strategic category management expertise with technical knowledge of manufacturing processes for both new and existing products, the Procurement Technical Category Manager identifies opportunities to reduce total cost throughout the product lifecycle while maintaining quality, performance, and customer requirements.

Key Responsibilities

Essential Functions & Responsibilities

Responsibility

% of Time

Lead technical category management

20%

Support New Product Integration (NPI) and New Product Development (NPD).

20%

Lead Value Analysis / Value Engineering (VA/VE) and cost reduction initiatives.

20%

Evaluate supplier capabilities, costs, technology, and manufacturing processes.

15%

Lead supplier negotiations, sourcing events, and supplier development activities.

10%

Conduct cost modeling, market analysis, and sourcing risk assessments.

10%

Support continuous improvement and product lifecycle cost optimization.

5%

Category Management

• Analyze spend, market trends, country of origin, supplier capabilities, capacity, and industry risks to identify cost‑saving opportunities.
• Support and execute global category strategies aligned with business objectives.
• Develop sourcing strategies based on cost, quality, delivery, capacity, technology, and supply risk.
• Build and maintain strategic supplier relationships focused on quality, cost competitiveness, innovation, and delivery performance.
• Support supplier selection, RFQs, negotiations, and supplier rationalization initiatives.
• Monitor market conditions and supplier cost structures.
• Identify opportunities for supplier consolidation, standardization, and cost optimization.

New Product Integration (NPI)

• Serve as the Procurement representative during New Product Introduction programs.
• Partner with Engineering to identify and qualify suppliers early in the product development process.
• Evaluate supplier manufacturing capabilities, technical competencies, capacity, quality systems, and scalability.
• Ensure sourcing decisions support product launch timelines, quality objectives, and cost targets.
• Participate in design reviews and product development meetings.
• Drive Design for Manufacturability (DFM) and Design for Cost (DFC) initiatives.
• Establish sourcing milestones and ensure procurement activities remain aligned with project schedules.
• Identify potential supply risks early in the development process and develop mitigation strategies.
• Support prototype, pilot, and production sourcing activities.

Value Analysis / Value Engineering (VA/VE)

• Lead cross‑functional cost reduction initiatives involving Procurement, Engineering, Operations, Quality, and suppliers.
• Identify opportunities for:
• Material substitutions
• Process improvements
• Make‑versus‑buy optimization
• Domestic versus global sourcing
• Design to Value (DTV)
• Manufacturing process optimization
• Quantify and deliver measurable cost savings while maintaining product quality and performance.
• Develop cost models and should‑cost analyses.
• Participate in design reviews to identify cost opportunities before production.
• Evaluate the financial and operational impact of proposed engineering changes.
• Track VA/VE projects through implementation and validate realized savings with Finance.
• Identify strategic suppliers capable of supporting future technologies, products, and business growth.
• Support supplier capability assessments and technical evaluations.
• Evaluate supplier manufacturing processes, capacity, quality systems, technology, and scalability.
• Support supplier development initiatives to improve:
• Quality
• Delivery
• Productivity
• Cost
• Capacity
• Partner with Quality and Engineering to resolve supplier technical issues.
• Establish supplier performance expectations and improvement plans.
• Develop strategic supplier partnerships that support long‑term product and business objectives.

Cost Modeling & Analysis

• Develop and maintain supplier cost models.
• Analyze raw material, labor, overhead, tooling, freight, and other cost components.
• Conduct should‑cost and total‑cost‑of‑ownership analysis.
• Evaluate supplier quotes against market and manufacturing benchmarks.
• Identify cost drivers and opportunities for improvement.
• Provide financial analysis to support sourcing recommendations.
• Partner with Finance to validate cost savings and cost avoidance.

Sourcing & Negotiation

• Lead RFQ, RFP, and competitive sourcing events for assigned technical categories.
• Develop sourcing strategies and supplier evaluation criteria.
• Negotiate pricing, payment terms, tooling, lead times, quality requirements, and commercial agreements.
• Evaluate supplier proposals based on total cost, quality, capability, capacity, risk, and strategic fit.
• Develop sourcing recommendations for leadership approval.
• Support contract development and commercial negotiations.

Supply Risk & Continuity

• Identify supply chain risks related to supplier capacity, geographic concentration, country of origin, raw materials, geopolitical conditions, and financial stability.
• Identify alternate suppliers and sources when appropriate.
• Support dual‑source and multi‑source strategies for critical components.
• Monitor supplier capacity and ability to support future product demand.
• Partner with Supply Chain and Operations to protect production continuity.

Cross‑Functional Collaboration

The Procurement Technical Category Manager works closely with:

• Product Development
• Operations
• Quality
• Supply Chain
• Finance
• Manufacturing
• Maintenance
• Logistics
• Suppliers and External Partners

Key Performance Indicators (KPI)

The Procurement Technical Category Manager is accountable for:

• Annual Cost Savings
• VA/VE Savings
• Design‑to‑Cost Savings
• Purchase Price Variance
• Total Cost of Ownership Reduction

NPI

• On‑Time Sourcing Milestones
• NPI Launch Performance
• NPI Cost Target Achievement

Supplier

Supply Risk

• Supply Continuity
• Risk Mitigation Actions
• Alternate Source Development

Decision Making Authority

Authorized to Independently:

• Develop sourcing strategies for assigned categories.
• Conduct supplier research and capability assessments.
• Lead RFQ/RFP processes.
• Develop cost models and should‑cost analyses.
• Recommend suppliers based on established sourcing criteria.
• Identify VA/VE and cost reduction opportunities.
• Lead supplier negotiations within established authority.
• Recommend technical sourcing alternatives.
• Identify supply chain risks and recommend mitigation strategies.
• Lead cross‑functional sourcing projects.
• Final supplier selection for significant strategic categories.
• Contracts exceeding established approval thresholds.
• Significant pricing or commercial commitments.
• Significant changes to product specifications.
• Supplier changes that could materially affect quality, capacity, or production.
• Capital investments associated with supplier sourcing.

Required Qualifications (Include Education, Experience, Certifications)

Experience

• Minimum 5 years of experience in Strategic Sourcing, Engineering, Category Management, or Technical Procurement within a manufacturing environment.
• Experience supporting New Product Introduction (NPI) or New Product Development (NPD) programs.
• Strong knowledge of manufacturing processes.
• Experience with supplier negotiations and strategic sourcing initiatives.
• Experience developing and executing category strategies.
• Strong understanding of supplier cost structures and manufacturing economics.
• Proven success leading VA/VE or cost reduction initiatives.
• Ability to interpret engineering drawings, specifications, and manufacturing documentation.
• Strong analytical, negotiation, and project management skills.

Education

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Procurement, Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Business Administration, or a related field required.

Preferred Qualifications

• Engineering degree or significant technical manufacturing background.
• Lean Manufacturing or Continuous Improvement experience.
• Experience with ERP systems such as SAP, Oracle, Epicor, Microsoft Dynamics, or equivalent.
• Knowledge of global sourcing and international supplier management.
• Experience with international supplier negotiations.
• Experience with advanced cost modeling or should‑cost tools.

Knowledge

Comprehensive knowledge of:

• Strategic sourcing
• Technical procurement
• Category management
• New Product Introduction (NPI)
• New Product Development (NPD)
• Value Analysis / Value Engineering
• Design for Manufacturability (DFM)
• Design for Cost (DFC)
• Design to Value (DTV)
• Cost modeling
• Should‑cost analysis
• Manufacturing economics
• Supply chain risk management

Strong knowledge of manufacturing processes including:

• Machining
• Forging
• Casting
• Plastic molding
• Metal fabrication
• Welding
• Finishing processes

Skills

Demonstrated ability to:

• Analyze supplier cost structures and manufacturing economics.
• Develop strategic category strategies.
• Lead technical sourcing projects.
• Conduct supplier negotiations.
• Develop cost models and should‑cost analyses.
• Identify and implement VA/VE opportunities.
• Interpret engineering drawings and specifications.
• Evaluate supplier manufacturing capabilities.
• Manage complex cross‑functional projects.
• Influence Engineering, Operations, Quality, and supplier stakeholders.
• Communicate technical and financial concepts effectively.
• Manage multiple projects and competing priorities.

Abilities

Ability to:

• Translate engineering and technical requirements into sourcing strategies.
• Understand complex manufacturing processes and cost drivers.
• Influence product design decisions through procurement expertise.
• Balance cost, quality, manufacturability, delivery, and supply risk.
• Make data‑driven sourcing recommendations.
• Build strong relationships with engineers, suppliers, plant leaders, and executives.
• Work effectively in a fast‑paced product development environment.
• Travel to supplier and company locations as required.
• Lead projects without direct authority.

Core Competencies

• Technical Procurement
• Strategic Sourcing
• Category Management
• Value Analysis / Value Engineering
• Cost Modeling
• New Product Integration
• Engineering Collaboration
• Design for Manufacturability
• Design for Cost
• Project Management
• Supply Chain Risk Management

This position is primarily office‑based within a manufacturing environment but requires regular interaction with Engineering, Operations, Quality, Plant Leadership, and suppliers. The Procurement Technical Category Manager will spend time in manufacturing and engineering environments reviewing processes, evaluating supplier capabilities, and supporting product development activities.

Travel to supplier locations, manufacturing facilities, trade events, and other business locations may be required.

Physical Requirements

The employee is regularly required to:

• Sit for extended periods while performing computer‑based work.
• Stand and walk through manufacturing environments.
• Occasionally lift up to 20 pounds.
• Travel to supplier and company locations.
• Wear required PPE when entering manufacturing and production areas.

Success Measures

Success in this position will be measured by:

• Achievement of annual cost savings targets.
• Successful support of new product launches.
• Achievement of NPI sourcing milestones.
• Supplier quality and delivery performance.
• Supplier innovation and VA/VE contributions.
• Supply continuity and risk mitigation.
• On‑time completion of sourcing milestones.
• Achievement of product cost targets.
• Successful implementation of cost reduction initiatives.

Success Profile

A successful Procurement Technical Category Manager:

• Brings together technical manufacturing knowledge and strategic procurement expertise.
• Gets involved early in product development and influences design decisions before costs are locked in.
• Thinks beyond purchase price to understand the complete cost of materials, processes, suppliers, logistics, and product design.
• Builds strong partnerships with Engineering, Operations, Quality, and suppliers.
• Challenges existing designs and sourcing strategies constructively to identify better, more cost‑effective solutions.
• Uses data, cost modeling, and manufacturing knowledge to drive measurable results.
• Balances cost reduction with quality, manufacturability, delivery, innovation, and supply continuity.
• Drives sustainable cost improvement throughout the entire product lifecycle.

ADA Compliance Statement:

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described herein are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and applicable state and local law, reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position. Employees who require an accommodation should contact Human Resources.

EEO Statement

The Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants and employees receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, pregnancy, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran or military status, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruitment, hiring, placement, promotion, transfer, compensation, benefits, training, discipline, and termination. The Company also prohibits harassment and retaliation of any kind.