Senior Category Manager - Strategic Sourcing & Cost Optimization

Jobtailor; Illinois; On-site; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Jobtailor in Illinois is seeking an experienced Category Manager for industrial manufacturing. You will lead strategic sourcing, develop category strategies to optimize cost, quality and delivery, and align cross-functional teams across global facilities.

Responsibilities include negotiating supply agreements, conducting spend analyses, leading RFQs/RFPs, and driving continuous improvement with internal stakeholders. Domestic/international travel ~25% is expected.

Qualifications

• BA/BS in engineering or supply chain; business/industrial field acceptable.
• At least 5 years as a Category Manager in industrial manufacturing.
• Experience with suppliers/customers; willing to travel ~25%.
• Experience sourcing in low-cost regions and globally.
• Proven change management and stretch-environment success.

Responsibilities

• Define category strategies to optimize cost, quality and delivery.
• Plan, organize, direct, control, and communicate strategic sourcing activities for BU products and assigned commodities.
• Align cross-functional sourcing, engineering, technical support, product management, and operations groups.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to identify, screen, and qualify strategic suppliers.
• Negotiate and draft supply agreements covering terms, deliveries, price, currency, and inventory levels.
• Drive spend analysis and cost-saving initiatives for projects.
• Lead supplier screening and selection; manage RFQs/RFPs and contracts.
• Analyze market and delivery conditions and prepare market analysis reports.
• Report on KPIs and present strategic sourcing plans, activities, and progress.

Skills

Strategic Sourcing

Supplier Relationship Management

Cost Optimization

Change Management

Market Analysis

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or Supply Chain

Tools

Category Strategy Development

Spend Analysis

Total Cost of Ownership

Negotiation of Supply Agreements

Project Management

Job description

Jobtailor in Illinois is seeking an experienced Category Manager for industrial manufacturing. You will lead strategic sourcing, develop category strategies to optimize cost, quality and delivery, and align cross-functional teams across global facilities.

Responsibilities include negotiating supply agreements, conducting spend analyses, leading RFQs/RFPs, and driving continuous improvement with internal stakeholders. Domestic/international travel ~25% is expected.