Strategic Category Manager: Market Insights & Growth

Woodward HRT/MPC; Niles (IL); On-site; USD 105,000 - 168,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) match

Stock contribution

Tuition reimbursement

Paid holidays

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

Parental leave

Life insurance and AD&D

Job summary

Woodward is seeking a Category Manager to lead market research, strategy development, and supplier management across multi-site suppliers in the United States. The role focuses on optimizing category profitability, project maturation, and stakeholder alignment within a dynamic energy control solutions environment.

The position emphasizes strong analytical capabilities, executive presence, and strategic thinking to influence cross-functional teams and drive value for Woodward and its customers.

Qualifications

• Market analysis and research to identify opportunities and threats within the category.
• Develop and implement category strategy to optimize performance and profitability.
• Project generation, scope definition and maturation: manage project pipeline to identify and mature projects that support category strategy, product margin, and product lifecycle.
• Approved Supplier List (ASL) management: manage approved supplier list and align suppliers into strategic categories across multi-site suppliers.
• Financial management: oversee budgeting, forecasting, and financial performance for assigned categories.

Responsibilities

• Market Analysis and Research: Conduct market research and analyze trends to identify opportunities and threats within the category.
• Category Strategy Development: Develop and implement strategies to optimize the performance and profitability of assigned product categories for the long term. Anticipate needs of the business to posture supply base for the future.
• Project generation, scope definition and maturation: Manage project pipeline to identify and mature projects that support category strategy, product margin, and product lifecycle.
• Approved Supplier List (ASL) Management: Manage approved supplier list. Align suppliers into strategic categories based on alignment with stakeholders. Assign suppliers into sub categories based on the category of product they provide. Ensure completeness and consistency appropriate to multi-site suppliers.
• Financial Management: Oversee budgeting, forecasting, and financial performance for assigned categories, ensuring profitability and cost efficiency through effective financial planning.

Skills

Market analysis

Category strategy

Project management

Executive presence

Stakeholder management

Strategic thinking

Communication & influence

Intellectual curiosity

Value orientation

Job description

Woodward is seeking a Category Manager to lead market research, strategy development, and supplier management across multi-site suppliers in the United States. The role focuses on optimizing category profitability, project maturation, and stakeholder alignment within a dynamic energy control solutions environment.

The position emphasizes strong analytical capabilities, executive presence, and strategic thinking to influence cross-functional teams and drive value for Woodward and its customers.