Global Category Manager II

Franklin Electric; Fort Wayne (IN); On-site; USD 90,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Franklin Electric in Fort Wayne, IN is seeking a Global Category Manager to lead sourcing and category strategies across the organization, building a qualified supplier base and guiding cost improvements. You will negotiate contracts, manage supplier relationships, analyze spend, and present metrics to senior leadership while applying strategic sourcing methodologies to drive value.

This role requires 5–10 years in category management, a bachelor’s degree, and ERP/JDE experience, with advanced

Qualifications

• 5–10 years of category management experience.
• Bachelor’s degree in business, engineering, or supply chain.
• Functional understanding of JDE or ERP, supply chain, logistics, warehousing, distribution, importing, exporting, shipping, etc.

Responsibilities

• Serves as resident expert on factors relevant to the category, including product knowledge, applications/usage, processing knowledge, cost structure, global market, supplier capabilities, supplier market share, supplier benchmarking, etc.
• Drafts, negotiates, and executes supplier contracts.
• Uses strategic sourcing tools to proactively conduct spend analysis, maintains cost models and metrics by supplier and category, and communicates overall supplier performance, trends in technologies, and market conditions with respect to assigned categories.
• Manages, develops, and maintains responsibility for the business relationships with suppliers.
• Manages, develops, and implements strategies and goals for assigned categories that support department objectives for quality, cost, and supplier development.
• Routinely presents proposals, recommendations, and results of category metrics to senior leadership.
• Develops strategic supplier partner relationships.
• Familiar with 7steps or other strategic sourcing methodologies.

Skills

Contract Management

Strategic Sourcing

Supplier Relations

Data Analytics

ERP/JDE

Negotiation

Market Analysis

Risk Management

Category Management

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Business

Engineering

Supply Chain

Tools

PowerBI

Excel

MS Office

Job description

Department: Logistics / Supply Chain / Distribution / Transportation

Department: Logistics / Supply Chain / Distribution / Transportation

Location: US - Indiana - Fort Wayne

Description

Embark on a career journey with Franklin Electric, where your passion meets purpose, and every day is an opportunity to make a difference in our global communities in providing access to water, fuel and electricity.

The Global Category Manager is responsible for driving and implementing category strategies across the organization by leading the sourcing team with the goal of accomplishing organizational objectives. Develops and maintains a qualified supply base, while understanding technology trends and market influences. Maintains overall business ownership of the category to include managing, facilitating, and monitoring communications with suppliers and employees.

Franklin Electric is a diverse team of innovators making a positive global impact since 1944. We offer innovative water solutions, ensuring access, treatment, and efficient management of this vital resource. Our commitment to excellence is reflected in our innovative products, industry leading quality products, exceptional customer service, employee development, and passion for social responsibility.

Join us to create a better future while growing professionally in a supportive environment!

Key Responsibilities

• Serves as a resident expert on factors relevant to the category, including product knowledge, applications/usage, processing knowledge, cost structure, global market, supplier capabilities, supplier market share, supplier benchmarking, etc.
• Utilizes contract negotiation, process changes, and implementation of sustainable cost controls, including collaboration with finance, to validate the impact of proposed projects and drive stakeholder approval.
• Drafts, negotiates, and executes supplier contracts.
• Uses strategic sourcing tools to proactively conduct spend analysis, maintains cost models and metrics by supplier and category, and communicates overall supplier performance, trends in technologies, and market conditions with respect to assigned categories.
• Manages, develops, and maintains responsibility for the business relationships with suppliers.
• Manages, develops, and implements strategies and goals for assigned categories that support department objectives for quality, cost, and supplier development.
• Routinely presents proposals, recommendations, and results of category metrics to senior leadership.
• Develops strategic supplier partner relationships.
• Familiar with 7steps or other strategic sourcing methodologies.

Skills Knowledge and Expertise

Skills and Abilities

• Analyzes information and evaluates results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
• Identifies the underlying principles, reasons, facts, or information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
• Reads and understands documents such as policy manuals, safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals.
• Deals with problems involving several known variables in situations of routine nature.
• Strong experience of Contract Management including contract negotiations.
• Exceptional analytical data skills and risk management – prediction, identification & mitigation.
• Deep understanding of Metal, Bearing and Fabrication categories preferred

Education and Experience

• Required Years of Experience: 5 to 10 Years relevant category management experience.
• Bachelor’s degree in business, Engineering, Supply Chain or equivalent.
• Functional understanding of JDE or ERP, Supply Chain, logistics, warehousing, distribution, importing, exporting, shipping, etc.

Computer Skills

• Advanced knowledge in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and Access) with PowerBI

Don’t feel like you check all the boxes in the job description? Here at Franklin Electric, we are dedicated to building a diverse and inclusive culture which includes embracing candidates from a variety of different backgrounds and industries. We highly encourage you to apply so we can connect on this and future opportunities.

Why Work at Franklin Electric?

Becoming a part of the Franklin Electric team not only provides outstanding benefits, it also opens doors to opportunities for future growth. Enjoy peace of mind with a world‑class company. But more importantly, be satisfied in knowing you make a difference.

Take a look at this video to see our Global Headquarters here in Fort Wayne, Indiana.