Global Category Manager

Rite-Hite; Milwaukee (WI); On-site; USD 130,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health & Well‑being

Financial Security

Time for You

Job summary

Rite-Hite, a global leader in loading dock and door equipment, seeks a senior procurement professional to manage global category spend of $40M–$60M. You will lead end-to-end sourcing from RFx to NPI through MP, collaborating with Engineering, Operations, Quality, and Finance to optimize cost, risk, and supply continuity.

Develop and execute category strategies, negotiate favorable terms, and drive continuous improvement.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering, Supply Chain, Business, Operations or related field; master’s degree is a plus.
• Minimum 8 years of progressive procurement, strategic sourcing, or category management experience with responsibility for large-scale, complex, or global categories.
• Proven ability to negotiate and manage suppliers; strong collaboration and communication skills.
• Ability to travel up to 25% domestically and internationally.

Responsibilities

• Manage assigned global category spend of $40M-$60M, leading end-to-end sourcing activities (RFI, RFQ, RFQ) for materials, products, and services.
• Serve as primary interface with category suppliers, overseeing SRM, continuity of supply, risk mitigation, and negotiations.
• Collaborate with Engineering, Operations, Quality, Finance, and procurement teams to define requirements and ensure supplier qualification.
• Develop and execute category strategies aligned with business priorities and market insights.
• Deliver cost improvements through competitive sourcing, demand management, standardization, and TCO/VA/VE efforts.
• Negotiate favorable pricing, terms, lead times, and service levels; evaluate working-capital options when appropriate.
• Lead supplier selection, RFx processes, and supplier relationship management; drive performance improvements.
• Identify and mitigate supplier and category risks across financial, geopolitical, capacity, and quality dimensions.

Skills

Strategic thinking

Analytical skills

Negotiation

Communication

Collaboration

Travel

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree

Tools

Oracle ERP

JD Edwards

Job description

At Rite-Hite, your work makes an impact. As the global leader in loading dock and door equipment, we design and deliver solutions that keep our customers safe, secure, and productive. Here, you’ll find innovation, stability, and the chance to grow your career as part of a team that’s always looking ahead.

Job Responsibilities

• Manage assigned global category spend of $40M-$60M, with a strategic focus on cost optimization, quality, innovation, and supply chain resilience. Lead end-to-end sourcing activities, including RFI, RFQ, and RFP processes, for assigned materials, products, and services. Serve as the primary business interface with category suppliers, overseeing supplier relationship management, continuity of supply, risk mitigation, commercial negotiations, and seamless execution from New Product Introduction (NPI) through Mass Production (MP).
• Internal Stakeholders: Collaborate effectively with key stakeholders, including Engineering, Operations, Quality, Finance, and business unit Procurement, to understand category requirements, ensure supplier qualification, and maintain quality and service standards.
• Cross-functional Teams: Partner with business unit Procurement, Engineering, Operations, and Quality teams to facilitate supplier selection, qualification, transitions, and performance improvement. Support NPI teams by leveraging preferred supplier programs.
• Category Strategy: Develop, maintain, and execute comprehensive category strategies aligned with business priorities, market intelligence, demand requirements, risk considerations, and procurement best practices.
• Cost Optimization: Deliver cost improvements through competitive sourcing, commercial negotiations, demand management, standardization, and continuous improvement initiatives, including Total Cost of Ownership (TCO), VA/VE, should-cost modeling, and design-to-cost approaches, as applicable.
• Commercial Terms and Working Capital: Negotiate favorable pricing, payment terms, lead times, service levels, and other commercial terms. Evaluate supply chain financing or other working‑capital solutions when appropriate.
• Supplier Segmentation: Segment suppliers based on business impact, risk, capability, and strategic value, and expand the Preferred Supplier Program based on category and business requirements.
• Contract Lifecycle: Manage the contract lifecycle in partnership with appropriate stakeholders, supporting compliance, value realization, and continuity of supply.
• Supplier Selection: Conduct thorough RFx and supplier evaluation processes to select suppliers and negotiate competitive terms and conditions.
• Supplier Risk Mitigation: Identify, assess, and mitigate supplier and category risks, including financial, geopolitical, capacity, quality, delivery, cybersecurity, sustainability, and compliance considerations, as applicable.
• Supplier Relationships: Lead Supplier Relationship Management (SRM) activities and regular supplier reviews to ensure performance meets business objectives for quality, cost, delivery, innovation, and service.
• Performance Management: Meet or exceed key performance indicators (KPIs) related to cost, quality, delivery, working capital, risk, and supplier performance.

Minimum Job Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, Supply Chain, Business, Operations or related field; master’s degree is a plus.
• Minimum 8 years of progressive procurement, strategic sourcing, or category management experience with responsibility for large-scale, complex, or global categories. Experience may span direct materials, indirect materials, products, and/or services.
• Demonstrated ability to learn and manage diverse categories. Working knowledge of relevant supply markets, cost drivers, supplier capabilities, and industry trends. Proficiency in data analysis and relevant procurement tools.
• Proven ability to assess, negotiate, and manage suppliers effectively. Strong collaboration, facilitation, and conflict resolution skills in a matrixed environment.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Willingness to travel up to 25% domestically and internationally.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

• A strategic thinker with strong analytical and problem‑solving skills.
• Results‑oriented and thrive in achieving ambitious goals.
• An effective communicator and collaborator with excellent interpersonal skills. Proactive, self‑motivated, and capable of working independently and in teams.
• Passionate about continuous improvement and innovation. This role offers a challenging and rewarding opportunity to contribute to the success of a global leader in building technologies.

Preferred Job Requirements

• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, especially Excel.
• Experience with ERP systems (e.g., Oracle, JD Edwards) preferred.

What We Offer

At Rite-Hite, we take care of our people – because when you’re supported, you can do your best work. Our benefits are designed to support your health, your future and your life outside of work:

• Health & Well‑being: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, plus life and disability insurance. A robust well‑being program with an opportunity to receive an extra day off and more.
• Financial Security: A strong retirement savings program with 401(k), company match, and profit sharing.
• Time for You: Paid holidays, vacation time, and personal/sick days each year.

Join us and build a career where you’re supported – at work and beyond.

Rite‑Hite is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We consider all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic under federal, state, or local law. In accordance with VEVRAA, we are committed to providing equal employment opportunities for protected veterans. We are also committed to maintaining a drug‑free workplace for the safety of our employees and customers.