Lead Category Manager

Innio; Town of Texas (WI); Hybrid; USD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

INNIO Group in Texas is seeking a Lead Category Manager to develop and execute global sourcing strategies for assigned categories and suppliers. You will lead supplier selection, management, and contract negotiations to achieve on-time delivery and cost reduction.

This on-site role focuses on driving continuous improvements, managing CAPEX, and reducing supply chain risk while collaborating with business sourcing leaders. 20% travel to support the global supply base.

Qualifications

• 5+ years in strategic sourcing or supply chain in an international company.
• B.S./B.A. in metallurgical or mechanical engineering.
• Six Sigma Green Belt certification.
• Strong Excel and PowerPoint skills.
• Willingness to travel ~20% internationally.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute sourcing strategies for assigned categories and suppliers.
• Lead negotiations to achieve on-time delivery, quality, and deflation goals.
• Manage supplier segmentation and development; maintain strong relationships.
• Control CAPEX for assigned categories and drive cost improvements.
• Identify and mitigate supply chain risks; ensure compliance.
• Collaborate with sourcing leaders and functional owners for alignment.

Skills

Strategic sourcing

Project management

Negotiation

Supplier management

Cost reduction

Excel

PowerPoint

Supply chain

Communication

Travel readiness

Education

Mechanical/Metallurgical engineering degree (BS/BA)

Six Sigma Green Belt

Tools

MS Excel

PowerPoint

Job description

About INNIO Group:

INNIO Group is a global distributed energy solutions provider that delivers reliable, flexible, transient, decentralized, modular and efficient power. With a track record of innovation, INNIO designs, manufactures and services high-performance power systems under its Jenbacher and Waukesha brands. The company delivers power for applications including data centers, microgrids, grid stabilization, industrial energy and gas compression.

INNIO operates a global installed base across approximately 100 countries as of December 31, 2025, supported by a resilient, high-margin services business that delivers long-term, recurring revenues across the full equipment lifecycle. As electricity demand accelerates-driven by AI, electrification and grid constraints, INNIO enables scalable, behind-the-meter power generation with high efficiency, fast start capability, strong transient performance and fuel flexibility, including hydrogen-ready solutions. INNIO employs over 5,000 people worldwide and is committed to moving energy forward.

Position Overview:

The Lead Category Manager is responsible for developing, implementing, and executing global sourcing strategies for assigned categories and suppliers. This includes supplier selection, supplier management and development, contract agreements and ensuring excellent purchasing operations. Additionally, this position constantly drives continuous improvement initiatives in the field of transformation, processes, quality, cost effectiveness and internal coordination/communication, hence is to be considered an important change agent across INNIO. Delivering quantitative and qualitative, measurable, and felt value across INNIO, managing its supply base and 3rd party costs, is the ultimate attribute of this role. This position will be focused on our Revolution Power Solutions (RPS) division and is based on site in Waller, TX.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Develop and execute INNIO sourcing strategies for assigned categories and suppliers
• Excellent manufacturing processes understanding/acumen for assigned categories
• Develop negotiation strategies and lead negotiations to achieve company OTD, quality, and deflation goals
• Lead supplier segmentation, selection, support supplier development and ensure high-quality supplier relationship and operational management
• Manage and control CAPEX for assigned categories
• Understand business compliance requirements and drive opportunities to eliminate/minimize supply chain risks
• Drive sourcing initiatives including best cost country sourcing (BCC), productivity, rationalization of supply base, sole source reduction, lead time reduction, on-time delivery and quality improvements, Six Sigma/Lean requirements and cash flow improvements, total cost of ownership (TCO)
• Negotiate long term agreements with suppliers which outline our business strategy and requirements
• Proactive engagement and interface with business sourcing leaders and functional owners to lay out strategies, ensure business buy-in and ensure optimized internal coordination and communication; active facilitation of solution identification and implementation
• Proactively support project/initiative leaders in NPI (New Product Introduction) and product cost out processes in order to contribute in achieving sourcing and business goals
• Act as multiplayer and facilitator between supply base and INNIO businesses to actively enable innovation and collaboration
• Develop and execute recovery plan for suppliers that fall short on expectations
• Own, drive and report progress/bottlenecks on Value Creation Plan (VCP) initiatives

Qualifications/Requirements:

• 5+ years working experience in strategic sourcing, supply chain or engineering in an internationally operating company, ideally within a comparable industry
• Proven experience in project management and strategy development
• Metallurgical (preferred) and/or Mechanical engineering degree (BS/BA)
• Six Sigma Green Belt certified (Black Belt preferred)
• Foundry knowledge/skills acquired through relevant trainings and certifications paired with relevant experience
• Excellent technical aptitude, complemented by strong business acumen, as well as influencing, negotiation, and facilitating skills
• Reciprocating engine knowledge/skills (preferred)
• Strong knowledge/skills in Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint
• Strong communication and presentation skills at all levels
• Strong customer service mindset with ability to improve internal customer relationships
• Entrepreneurial, intrinsically motivated mindset with demonstrated ownership of responsibilities
• Team player mentality and continuous improvement mindset
• Willingness to travel at least 20% of the time to our global supply base