Procurement Category Manager, Operations & External Workforce

Wallenius Wilhelmsen; Parsippany-Troy Hills (NJ); Hybrid; USD 140,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Wallenius Wilhelmsen seeks an experienced Procurement Category Manager, Operations & External Workforce. This role owns a global procurement portfolio valued at approximately USD 200 million, spanning MRO materials, equipment leasing, external workforce services, and HR-related categories.

You will lead sourcing initiatives and develop category strategies in collaboration with Operations, HR and Finance. The position is hybrid with onsite presence in Parsippany, NJ (Tuesdays–Thursdays).

Qualifications

• 5+ years in Category Management, Strategic Sourcing or comparable roles.
• Strong analytical skills and track record translating data into value.
• Experience across MRO materials and services, temporary labor or similar categories.
• Strong commercial negotiation, supplier and contract management capabilities.
• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Procurement, Strategy or related discipline.
• Spanish fluency is an advantage.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement global category strategies with stakeholders across Operations, HR, Finance and technical teams.
• Lead Sourcing & Contract Managers and support growth of procurement function.
• Monitor supplier and labor market developments; use market intelligence to identify opportunities and manage risk.
• Lead supplier selections, negotiations, contracting and sourcing to improve total cost of ownership and operational outcomes.
• Standardize specifications, optimize workforce models, consolidate suppliers and unlock commercial leverage.
• Establish governance with key suppliers to drive performance and long-term value.

Skills

Category Management

Strategic Sourcing

Analytical Skills

MRO Materials

Negotiation

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business/Procurement/Strategy

Job description

We’re looking for an experienced and commercially driven Procurement Category Manager, Operations & External Workforce to take ownership of a strategically important global procurement portfolio with approximately USD 200 million in annual spend.

Reporting directly to the VP Procurement, you will lead a global portfolio spanning MRO materials and services, equipment leasing, external workforce services and selected HR-related categories. The portfolio primarily supports our global operations and processing plants, while also providing procurement leadership across selected HR categories.

Working closely with Operations, HR and Finance, you will develop category strategies, lead sourcing initiatives and deliver measurable commercial and operational value. Your decisions will directly influence the cost, availability and performance of materials, equipment, maintenance services and workforce solutions across our global network.

This is a rare opportunity to help build a leading procurement function while delivering meaningful commercial and operational improvements across our global network.

*This is a hybrid role requiring onsite presence in our Parsippany, NJ office (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday)*

WHAT YOU’LL DO:

• Develop and implement global category strategies in partnership with Operations, HR, Finance and technical stakeholders, aligning business objectives, operational requirements and workforce priorities across a decentralised global organization.
• Lead and develop Sourcing & Contract Managers and support the continued growth of a world-class procurement function.
• Monitor supplier, service, and labor market developments. Use market intelligence to identify opportunities, manage risk and create commercial advantage.
• Look beyond price to understand how specifications, consumption patterns, inventory, availability, supplier models and workforce delivery approaches impact business performance. Lead supplier selections, negotiations, contracting and sourcing initiatives that improve total cost of ownership and operational outcomes.
• Challenge demand, standardize specifications, optimize workforce models, aggregate spend, consolidate suppliers and unlock commercial leverage across the business.
• Manage key suppliers and establish governance frameworks that drive performance, innovation, supply continuity and long-term value creation.

WHO WE’RE LOOKING FOR:

We’re looking for someone who is commercially minded, results-oriented and analytical. You enjoy understanding how businesses operate and are naturally curious about supplier markets, commercial models and the factors that drive performance. You don’t simply negotiate contracts. You identify opportunities, challenge assumptions, connect commercial decisions to operational outcomes and help the business perform more effectively.

WHAT YOU’LL NEED:

• Significant professional experience, of which 5+ years in Category Management, Strategic Sourcing or comparable commercial roles.
• Strong analytical skills and a track record of translating data and insight into measurable value.
• Experience across MRO materials and services, temporary labor or similar categories.
• Strong commercial negotiation, supplier and contract management capabilities.
• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Procurement, Strategy or a related discipline.
• Spanish fluency is an advantage.

We recognize that exceptional candidates may not tick every box.

Expected starting salary range for this opportunity is $140,000-$170,000.

WHY JOIN US?

This is an opportunity to lead a globally significant portfolio, partner with senior business leaders and help build a leading procurement function. You’ll have the freedom to influence strategy, strengthen supplier partnerships and deliver meaningful commercial and operational impact across our global organization.

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Who We Are

At Wallenius Wilhelmsen, you’ll join a global leader in shipping and logistics with more than 9,000 colleagues across 28 countries. Together, we help move vehicles, equipment, and goods around the world through innovative and sustainable solutions. Our ambition is to lead the way in transforming shipping and logistics.

Our success is built on our people. Rooted in a strong safety culture and guided by our values - We Care, We Challenge, We Commit - we create an environment where people can grow, contribute, and perform at their best. As a global company listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange, we offer international opportunities within a collaborative and values-driven culture.

Our Commitment to Equal Opportunities and an Inclusive Workplace

At Wallenius Wilhelmsen, our people are fundamental to our success. We believe in the power of bringing people together and value the unique experiences, skills, and perspectives every individual brings. These differences strengthen our ability to support our customers, drive innovation, and succeed as a global organisation. By fostering an inclusive culture where everyone feels valued and empowered to contribute, we create better outcomes for our people, our customers, and our business.