Direct Sourcing Category Manager

Aston Carter; Eden Prairie (MN); On-site; USD 76,000 - 86,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental & vision

401(k) Retirement Plan

Life Insurance

Short and long-term disability

Health Spending Account

Job summary

Aston Carter is seeking a Direct Sourcing Category Manager for a contract role based in Eden Prairie, MN. The role focuses on developing category strategies, sourcing pipelines, and savings roadmaps with measurable outcomes.

Responsibilities include leading supplier selection, negotiations, and SRM, while driving cost reductions using spend analytics and should-cost modeling. Onsite work with core hours 8am–5pm and a focus on collaboration and professional growth.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Engineering, Finance, Operations, or related field.
• 5+ years of strategic sourcing or direct materials procurement experience.
• Strong negotiation and supplier management skills.
• Financial and cost analysis capabilities.
• Experience with spend analytics and sourcing tools.
• Project management and cross-functional leadership experience.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute sourcing strategies for assigned suppliers and categories.
• Drive cost reduction and value engineering initiatives using spend analytics and should-cost modeling.
• Lead supplier selection, negotiations, and contract management.
• Conduct supplier segmentation, supplier relationship management (SRM), and performance reviews.
• Identify and mitigate supply chain risks, including financial, operational, and geopolitical risks.
• Support new product development sourcing activities and supplier onboarding.
• Negotiate and manage master purchase agreements.

Skills

5+ years experience

Negotiation

Financial analysis

Spend analytics

Sourcing tools

Project management

Education

Bachelor's degree (Supply Chain / related)

Tools

Sourcing tools

Job description

Job Title: Direct Sourcing Category Manager Job Description

The Direct Sourcing Category Manager plays a crucial role in developing category strategies, sourcing pipelines, and savings roadmaps. This position involves conducting market assessments and competitive sourcing events to identify cost reduction opportunities and implementing approved sourcing initiatives to deliver measurable savings results.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute sourcing strategies for assigned suppliers and categories.
• Drive cost reduction and value engineering initiatives using spend analytics and should-cost modeling.
• Lead supplier selection, negotiations, and contract management.
• Conduct supplier segmentation, supplier relationship management (SRM), and performance reviews.
• Identify and mitigate supply chain risks, including financial, operational, and geopolitical risks.
• Support new product development sourcing activities and supplier onboarding.
• Negotiate and manage master purchase agreements.

Essential Skills

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Engineering, Finance, Operations, or related field.
• 5+ years of strategic sourcing or direct materials procurement experience.
• Strong negotiation and supplier management skills.
• Financial and cost analysis capabilities.
• Experience with spend analytics and sourcing tools.
• Project management and cross-functional leadership experience.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Supply chain expertise
• Category management proficiency
• Direct procurement knowledge
• Strategic sourcing capabilities

Work Environment

The work environment offers core hours from 8am to 5pm onsite, with flexible start and end times. The culture emphasizes innovation, growth, well-being, and purpose, encouraging employees to bring new ideas forward and develop professionally through leadership training and tuition assistance. Employees are empowered to make a meaningful impact, focusing on work-life balance, employee wellness, community involvement, and a collaborative, family-oriented culture.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract position based out of Eden Prairie, MN.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $55.30 - $62.50/hr. Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors. Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following:

• Medical, dental & vision
• Critical Illness, Accident and Hospital
• 401(k) Retirement Plan Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available
• Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)
• Short and long-term disability
• Health Spending Account (HSA)
• Transportation benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Oct 23, 2026.

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Eden Prairie,MN.

About Aston Carter

Aston Carter provides world-class corporate talent solutions to thousands of clients across the globe. Specialized in accounting, finance, human resources, talent acquisition, procurement, supply chain and select administrative professions, we extend the capabilities of industry-leading companies. We draw on our deep recruiting expertise and expansive network to meet the evolving needs of our clients and talent community with agility and excellence. With offices across the U.S., Canada, Asia Pacific and Europe, Aston Carter serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® Platinum Award winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email [e-mail] for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.