Senior Direct-Procurement Category Leader

Authority Brands; Atlanta (GA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Authority Brands seeks a Senior Category Manager to own strategy and execution for direct-spend categories, including HVAC, plumbing, and electrical parts. You will partner with franchisees and cross-functional teams to reduce costs, improve supplier performance, and strengthen supply continuity.

You will lead market analysis, RFPs, negotiations, contracting, and program implementation, measuring value delivery and governance. A bachelor’s degree and 5–8 years in direct procurement are expected.

Qualifications

• 5–8 years of progressive experience in direct procurement, strategic sourcing, or category management.
• Experience leading RFPs and supplier negotiations.
• Ability to develop and execute category strategies across complex direct-spend categories.
• Understanding of financial reporting and ability to generate category insights.
• Ability to lead cross-functional projects on aggressive timelines.

Responsibilities

• Manage an assigned portfolio of direct categories, including HVAC, plumbing, and electrical parts.
• Develop category strategies using spend, demand, and supply-market analysis; Porter’s Five Forces and SWOT analyses; sourcing levers; supplier segmentation; risk mitigation; implementation and adoption plans.
• Establish and execute annual category value-delivery plans including savings and supplier performance.
• Create and manage category timelines and reporting to confirm negotiated savings and value at franchise locations.
• Lead RFPs, supplier evaluation, negotiations, award recommendations, and contracting support.
• Implement awarded supplier programs with stakeholder approval, franchisee engagement, training, and adoption measurement.
• Partner with cross-functional leaders and franchisees to drive utilization of preferred supplier programs.
• Establish supplier governance with scorecards, business reviews, corrective actions, and escalation.
• Manage product supply and implement category risk-mitigation measures to prevent gaps and achieve savings.
• Help develop a data-capture system that improves visibility into systemwide purchases and opportunities for scale.
• Support broader procurement and supply-chain initiatives as required.

Skills

Strategic sourcing

RFP leadership

Contract negotiations

Vendor management

Cross-functional leadership

Data analysis

Risk management

Microsoft Office

AI in procurement

Stakeholder engagement

Education

Bachelor’s degree in business or related field

Job description

Authority Brands seeks a Senior Category Manager to own strategy and execution for direct-spend categories, including HVAC, plumbing, and electrical parts. You will partner with franchisees and cross-functional teams to reduce costs, improve supplier performance, and strengthen supply continuity.

You will lead market analysis, RFPs, negotiations, contracting, and program implementation, measuring value delivery and governance. A bachelor’s degree and 5–8 years in direct procurement are expected.