Engineering-Savvy Procurement Category Manager (NPI)

Tarter USA; Dunnville (KY); Hybrid; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Tarter USA is seeking a Procurement Technical Category Manager to join a hybrid team spanning Lexington and Dunnville. You’ll influence supplier selection, Design for Manufacturability, and early cost engineering to bend the cost curve before decisions are made.

If you can read an engineering drawing as easily as a spend report and enjoy finding cheaper, smarter ways to build, this role fits you. You’ll work across Engineering and Supply Chain with autonomy and impact.

Qualifications

• 5+ years in strategic sourcing, engineering, category management, or technical procurement in a manufacturing environment.
• Experience supporting New Product Introduction or New Product Development programs.
• Read engineering drawings and specs without need for translation.
• Track record of leading VA/VE or cost-reduction initiatives with validated savings.
• Strong negotiation, analytical, and project management skills.
• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Engineering, Manufacturing, Business, or related field.

Responsibilities

• New Product Integration (NPI): partner with Engineering to qualify suppliers and drive DFM/DFC for on-time launches.
• Value Analysis / Value Engineering (VA/VE): lead cross-functional cost-reduction efforts and prove savings with Finance.
• Technical category management: develop sourcing strategies for machining, stamping, forging, casting, molding, fabrication, welding, and finishing.
• Cost modeling & should-cost analysis: analyze material, labor, overhead, tooling, and freight costs.
• Supplier development & negotiation: RFQs, supplier capability assessments, and building strategic supplier relationships.
• Supply risk management: identify capacity/geopolitical risks and build mitigation and alternate sourcing plans.

Skills

Strategic sourcing

NPI experience

Read drawings

VA/VE initiatives

Negotiation

Project management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain / Engineering / Manufacturing

Tools

SAP

Oracle

Epicor

Job description

Tarter USA is seeking a Procurement Technical Category Manager to join a hybrid team spanning Lexington and Dunnville. You’ll influence supplier selection, Design for Manufacturability, and early cost engineering to bend the cost curve before decisions are made.

If you can read an engineering drawing as easily as a spend report and enjoy finding cheaper, smarter ways to build, this role fits you. You’ll work across Engineering and Supply Chain with autonomy and impact.