Strategic Sourcing & Category Leader

Kroger Family of Companies; Cincinnati (OH); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Kroger Family of Companies is seeking a Category Manager to lead procurement strategy across assigned categories, optimize the supplier base, and drive savings while aligning with business needs. You will partner with stakeholders to define strategy, review performance, and negotiate complex contracts.

The role requires strong negotiation, analytics, and leadership of sourcing teams; you will manage supplier relationships, ensure compliance with policies, and supervise analysts to deliver value

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Finance, Supply Chain, Manufacturing, Retail, CPG, or related disciplines.
• 5 years experience within the pertinent category.
• Ability to build impactful relationship with internal clients, key influencers to effectively execute the work.
• Advanced Microsoft Office skills (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Vizio).
• Oral and written communication skills to formulate strategies in a complex business environment.

Responsibilities

• Category Management
• Support the senior manager in defining and reviewing procurement strategy and project pipeline
• Perform periodic financial reviews to assess category financial performance with the senior manager
• Identify potential suppliers to extend payment terms, improve cash conversion cycle, and enhance gross margin
• Implement supplier finance and discount programs with a focus on cash flow, interest payable, and working capital
• Strategic Sourcing
• Coordinate sourcing activities and manage analysts to achieve category goals
• Coordinate sourcing strategy review and ensure that strategy documents are updated
• Support the creation, execution, and communication of category management strategy for pertinent category
• Drive internal compliance with policies, procedures, strategies, and guidelines on an ongoing basis
• Contract Management
• Negotiate and execute highly complex and visible contracts with suppliers
• Coordinate identified improvement opportunities, risk/mitigation strategies and develop action plans
• Supplier Relationship Management
• Lead execution of SRM activities to create value, drive continuous improvement, and realize savings
• Lead business relationships withsuppliers, foster long-term involvement and creating value
• Oversee supplier qualification with support of the business and develop a transition plan and execution of supply agreement
• Procurement Process
• Develop, deepen and maintain trusted and collaborative relationships with business partners to ensure the organization is seen as a valued partner and is involved in business decisions
• Oversee procurement process metrics, insights and proposed actions to define implementation plan
• Maintain knowledge of other initiatives in Kroger that may affect the category performance
• Talent Management
• Supervise and coach direct reports in the performance of their duties: complete performance reviews and provide feedback to direct reports
• Create an effective work environment by developing a common vision, communicating of clear objectives, fostering teamwork, recognizing performance, providing on the job coaching
• Must be able to perform the essential functions of this position with or without reasonable accommodation

Skills

Category management

Strategic sourcing

Negotiation

Financial analysis

Stakeholder management

MS Office

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business, Finance, Supply Chain, Manufacturing, Retail, CPG, or related disciplines

MBA or Masters degree

Tools

Microsoft Excel

ERP systems

Procurement software

Job description

Kroger Family of Companies is seeking a Category Manager to lead procurement strategy across assigned categories, optimize the supplier base, and drive savings while aligning with business needs. You will partner with stakeholders to define strategy, review performance, and negotiate complex contracts.

The role requires strong negotiation, analytics, and leadership of sourcing teams; you will manage supplier relationships, ensure compliance with policies, and supervise analysts to deliver value