Senior Manager, Category Management (Procurement)

Sterling Foods; San Antonio (TX); On-site; USD 120,000 - 165,000; Full time

Job summary

Sterling Foods seeks a Senior Manager, Category Management to lead sourcing strategy and category performance across direct material categories including proteins, dairy, fats, grains, and ingredients. This role partners with Operations, Finance, Quality, and R&D to identify opportunities, mitigate risks, and deliver validated savings while supporting long-term objectives.

Responsibilities include developing strategies, leading supplier negotiations, monitoring markets, and driving governance

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, Operations, Procurement, or related field.
• 7+ years of progressive procurement, sourcing, or category management experience with leadership responsibility.
• Food manufacturing or food ingredient procurement experience strongly preferred.
• Proven track record in direct material category management, supplier negotiations, and strategic sourcing.
• Experience leading category reviews, savings programs, and supplier performance management.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute sourcing strategies for assigned direct material categories.
• Lead supplier selection, negotiations, contract management, and relationship development.
• Monitor commodity markets, industry trends, and supply risks to inform sourcing decisions.
• Drive competitive sourcing initiatives and benchmarking to optimize total cost of ownership.
• Develop contingency plans to address supply disruptions, market volatility, and supplier performance issues.
• Ensure continuity of supply while balancing cost, quality, service, and innovation objectives.
• Establish and maintain category management standards, processes, and sourcing discipline.
• Lead category reviews to evaluate supplier performance, market conditions, savings opportunities, and risk exposure.
• Validate savings initiatives and ensure alignment with financial reporting requirements.
• Review and approve sourcing recommendations, supplier awards, and category strategies.
• Promote best practices in procurement governance, supplier management, and risk mitigation.
• Lead, coach, and develop Category Buyers and other procurement team members.
• Establish clear performance expectations and accountability measures.
• Build category management capabilities, analytical skills, and strategic sourcing expertise across the team.
• Foster a culture of continuous improvement, collaboration, and results-oriented execution.

Skills

Strategic sourcing

Category management

Negotiation

Contract management

Risk management

Cross-functional collaboration

Executive communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management

CPSM/CPM/CSCP/CPIM certification preferred

Job description

The Senior Manager, Category Management leads sourcing strategy and category performance across critical direct material categories, including proteins, dairy, fats, grains, starches, ingredients, and related supplies. This role is responsible for driving cost competitiveness, supply continuity, supplier performance, and procurement governance while developing procurement talent and strengthening category management capabilities across the organization.

As a key business partner to Operations, Supply Chain, Finance, Quality, and R&D, this leader identifies market opportunities, mitigates supply risks, delivers validated savings, and ensures procurement strategies support both short-term operational needs and long-term business objectives.

Key Responsibilities

Category Strategy & Supplier Management

• Develop and execute sourcing strategies for assigned direct material categories.
• Lead supplier selection, negotiations, contract management, and relationship development.
• Monitor commodity markets, industry trends, and supply risks to inform sourcing decisions.
• Drive competitive sourcing initiatives and benchmarking to optimize total cost of ownership.
• Develop contingency plans to address supply disruptions, market volatility, and supplier performance issues.
• Ensure continuity of supply while balancing cost, quality, service, and innovation objectives.
• Establish and maintain category management standards, processes, and sourcing discipline.
• Lead category reviews to evaluate supplier performance, market conditions, savings opportunities, and risk exposure.
• Validate savings initiatives and ensure alignment with financial reporting requirements.
• Review and approve sourcing recommendations, supplier awards, and category strategies.
• Promote best practices in procurement governance, supplier management, and risk mitigation.

Team Development & Organizational Capability

• Lead, coach, and develop Category Buyers and other procurement team members.
• Establish clear performance expectations and accountability measures.
• Build category management capabilities, analytical skills, and strategic sourcing expertise across the team.
• Foster a culture of continuous improvement, collaboration, and results-oriented execution.

Cross-Functional Partnership

• Partner with Operations, Supply Chain, Finance, Quality, and R&D to align sourcing strategies with business priorities.
• Support new product development through supplier and ingredient sourcing initiatives.
• Lead cross-functional efforts to address shortages, supplier issues, and business continuity risks.
• Participate in business reviews, performance monitoring, and strategic planning processes.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, Operations, Procurement, or a related field.
• 7+ years of progressive procurement, sourcing, or category management experience, including leadership responsibility.
• Food manufacturing or food ingredient procurement experience strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated success managing direct material categories, supplier negotiations, and strategic sourcing initiatives.
• Experience leading category reviews, savings programs, and supplier performance management processes.
• Proven ability to develop teams and influence cross-functional stakeholders.
• Professional certifications such as CPSM, CPM, CSCP, or CPIM preferred.

Core Competencies

• Strategic Sourcing & Category Management
• Negotiation & Contract Management
• Commodity Market Analysis
• Risk Management & Business Continuity Planning
• Cross-Functional Collaboration
• Executive Communication & Influence

Success in This Role

Success in this position is measured by the ability to deliver sustainable cost savings, strengthen supplier partnerships, mitigate supply risks, develop procurement talent, and ensure sourcing strategies support the company's operational and financial objectives.

This version is more executive-level, easier to read, and focuses on outcomes rather than procurement process details. It would be appropriate for a Senior Manager role reporting to a Procurement Director at a food manufacturing company.