Senior Category Buyer

Mercury Marine; Fond du Lac (WI); Hybrid; USD 86,500 - 126,800; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

401(k) with company match

Health Savings Account (HSA)

Well-being program

Product purchase discounts

Job summary

Mercury Marine in Fond du Lac, WI, is seeking a Senior Category Buyer to develop and execute strategic sourcing initiatives across the product lifecycle. You will collaborate with Engineering, Quality, Operations, Service, and Finance to optimize launches, supplier costs, and risk management in a global context.

The role requires 7+ years in sourcing, strong negotiation and data-analysis skills, and proficiency with Excel and Power BI.

Qualifications

• BS/BA in Engineering (preferred) or related field.
• 7+ years in sourcing or procurement roles.
• Proven project management and cross-functional leadership.
• Strong negotiation and cost management skills.
• Proficient with Excel, Power BI, Word, PowerPoint, and Project.
• Knowledge of APQP and PPAP processes.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute sourcing strategies with engineering, quality, and finance.
• Build long-term supplier partnerships focused on transparency and performance.
• Visit suppliers to assess capability and trends.
• Lead RFQs, analyze competitiveness, and negotiate terms.
• Support APQP development and component feasibility studies.
• Identify cost optimization and value engineering opportunities.
• Process POs and requisitions for components and tooling.
• Ensure supplier capacity aligns with schedules and resolve issues.
• Provide cost change analysis and forecasting.
• Manage tooling lifecycle and budgeting.
• Lead supplier business reviews for new opportunities.
• Mitigate supply base risks and coordinate global operations.

Skills

Cross-functional leadership

Negotiation

Cost management

Data analysis

Time management

Communication skills

Engineering drawings understanding

Education

BS/BA in Engineering (preferred)

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Power BI

Word

PowerPoint

Project

Job description

Senior Category Buyer

Location: Fond du Lac, WI
Workplace Category: Hybrid
Travel Required: Occasional; 20-25%
Direct Reports: None

Position Overview

The Senior Category Buyer is a key contributor in developing and executing strategic sourcing initiatives for their portfolio. This role actively collaborates with suppliers and internal stakeholders throughout the product lifecycle— from initial sourcing and development through serial production and service support—aiming to optimize product launch effectiveness, supplier cost and operational performance, innovation, and risk management in a dynamic global landscape.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and execute sourcing strategies aligned with category goals and broader business objectives in partnership with Engineering, Quality, Operations, Service, and Finance
• Build strategic, long‑term supplier partnerships focused on transparency, performance, and continuous improvement
• Visit suppliers to assess capability, deepen category knowledge, and monitor market trends
• Lead requests for quotation, analyze competitiveness, negotiate terms, and make sourcing recommendations that balance cross-functional and strategic needs
• Obtain supplier component feasibility studies and support APQP development processes
• Identify cost optimization and value engineering opportunities through “should cost” modeling and industry benchmarking
• Process purchase requisitions and purchase orders for components and tooling
• Ensure supplier capacity aligns with business needs and delivery performance meets program and manufacturing schedules, driving resolution of chronic performance issues
• Provide effective analysis, forecasting, and implementation of cost changes
• Manage component tooling lifecycle for accurate budgeting of costs and timely maintenance or replacement
• Support commercial recovery of excess costs resulting from supplier performance issues
• Lead supplier business reviews to align expectations, develop new opportunities, and drive continuous improvement
• Manage and execute projects successfully with strong planning, attention to detail, risk management, and communication
• Manage component change requests for effective disposition and execution
• Monitor supply base risks, proactively plan and execute mitigations

Required Qualifications

• BS/BA in Engineering (preferred), Operations Management, Supply Chain, or a related field
• Minimum of 7+ years of experience in sourcing, procurement, or supplier management roles
• Proven success in project management and cross-functional team leadership
• Excellent negotiating and cost management skills; adept at managing conflict and handling difficult situations
• Strong data analysis abilities and software skills, including Microsoft Excel and Power BI; proficient with Word, PowerPoint, and Project
• Proficient with engineering prints and specifications, APQP, and PPAP processes
• Excellent time management and organization skills; able to manage multiple ongoing projects and adapt to changing business needs
• Positive attitude, ethics, and international values to promote a healthy, diverse, high-performance culture
• Strong communication skills, including written and verbal, as well as interpersonal skills
• Occasional travel, up to 25%, domestic and international; may require calls outside normal business hours to support global operations and supplier coordination

Preferred Qualifications

• Expertise in raw materials, manufacturing processes, and supply base for hydraulic components and/or marine propulsion system components
• Experience in an OEM setting with comparable scale and requirements to Mercury
• CPSM and/or CPIM certifications
• Lean and Six Sigma certification and application experience

Benefits

Competitive salary ranging from $86,500 to $126,800 annually, depending on qualifications and experience. Eligible for an annual discretionary bonus. Comprehensive benefits include medical, dental, vision, paid vacation, 401(k) with up to 4% match, Health Savings Account with company contribution, well-being program, product purchase discounts, and more.

Brunswick is an Equal Opportunity Employer and considers all qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. If you require accommodation during the application or interview process, please contact [e-mail] for support.