Strategic Sourcing Category Manager

Cool Gear International; Elkhart (IN); Hybrid; USD 100,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

EAP

Disability insurance

401(k) with company match

PTO

Holidays + floating days

Maternity/paternity leave

Tuition assistance

Membership reimbursement

Employee discounts

Impact opportunities

Job summary

Dometic in Elkhart, IN is seeking a Strategic Sourcing Category Manager – Direct Material to lead direct-material sourcing for metals, plastics, electronics, and more, aligning with Quality, Technology, and Cost standards.

You will develop global sourcing strategies, manage supplier relationships, negotiate contracts, and drive continuous cost reductions while collaborating with cross-functional teams and regional/global procurement.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Supply Chain, Finance or Engineering; Master’s degree is a plus.
• Minimum 8–10 years in Sourcing, Purchasing, Procurement.
• Proficiency in Excel BI, Power BI, Word, Power Point, and AI utilization.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute robust sourcing and supply strategies for direct materials (metals, plastics, raw materials, rubber, electronics).
• Scout and develop domestic and global sources with Best Cost Country Sourcing focus.
• Negotiate contracts, manage supplier relations, and drive cost reductions.
• Collaborate across cross-functional teams on supply issues, launches, and cost improvements.
• Lead supplier evaluations, risk management, and supplier scorecards.

Skills

Strategic mindset

Project management

Communication skills

Forward thinking

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business/Supply Chain/Finance/Engineering

Master's degree preferred

Tools

Excel BI

Power BI

PowerPoint

Word

AI utilization

Job description

Dometic is a global market leader in the mobile living industry. Millions of people around the world use Dometic products in outdoor, residential, and professional applications. Dometic Land Vehicles Americas is a trusted provider of high-end products for recreational vehicles, commercial passenger vehicles and overlanding vehicles in North America, Latin America, and the Caribbean. We are on a journey of continuous growth – now looking for our next star – a passionate StrategicSourcing Category Manager – Direct Material within our Supply Chain capability. This position reports to Director of Procurement & Sourcing and will work in Elkhart, IN location.

About the position:

Dometic has an opening for a Strategic Sourcing Category Manager – Direct Material. This position is responsible for obtaining supplier recommendations, that meet Dometic’s Quality, Technology, and Cost standards for new and current product development, regional or global.

Your main responsibilities:

• Develop and execute robust sourcing and supply strategies for different direct materials products for the Mobile Living Industry, ranging from metals, plastic, raw-material, rubber, electronics, traded products and contract manufacturing.
• Scout and develop both Domestic and Global Sources, with a focus on Best Cost Country Sourcing to maximize the Total Landed Cost.
• Actively evaluate make vs buys scenarios, potential synergies with existing supply base and focus in parallel on the development of non-traditional sources.
• Active collaboration with suppliers and internal customers (cross functional teams) on day-to-day supply issues, quality assurance, successful part launches, engineering change processes, product transfers, resourcing initiatives, capacity and supply chain planning, forecasting challenges; as well as in strategic matters such as continuous cost reduction projects, introduction of new technologies, advance developments, strategic alliances, etc.
• Negotiate and achieve YOY cost reductions and Best-in-class cost through the use of various tools including but not limited to: VA/VE, should cost analysis, product cost tear downs, supplier visits and on-site audits, supplier cost reduction workshops, supplier fact based negotiations & cost breakdowns, global sourcing, dual sourcing, raw material escalation/de-escalation price models, internal and external benchmarking, market intelligence and industry analysis, etc.
• Management of annual/multi-year supply agreements: negotiate the contractual needs, specifications, total cost (including logistics, MOQ, lead times towards inventory targets), stocking / just-in time agreements, payment terms, warranty terms, tooling costs, OTD and rest of Quality metrics per Dometic Supplier Quality Manual. Manage and negotiate commercial issues that may arise (i.e. price increase requests). Able to articulate and negotiate contractual terms and Legal aspects.
• Supplier management, including the identification of new suppliers, qualification process, financial and business case analysis, and review against Dometic’s core processes, policies, and metrics (i.e. institute Supplier Scorecard process).
• Interface with both regional and global procurement teams for supplier evaluations, advance purchasing activities, leverage of cost, technology advancement, and supplier responsiveness.
• In charge of supplier recommendations, that meet Dometic’s Quality, Technology, and Cost standards for New Product development, regional or global, and later, supporting launch.

What do we offer?

You are offered an interesting role in a dynamic, fast paced, and global environment with great opportunities to grow and take on new challenges. The growth at Dometic is continuous – which gives you great possibilities to evolve with the company.

• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Disability insurance (STD/LTD)
• 401 (k) with company match
• PTO
• Company defined holidays and two floating holidays for you to use as you choose
• Paid maternity/paternity leave
• Tuition assistance
• Membership reimbursement (wholesale club and gym)
• Employee discounts on our incredible products
• Opportunities to make an impact

A suitable background would be

the following qualifications and experiences:

• Bachelor’s Degree preferably in Business, Supply Chain, Finance or Engineering
• Master’s degree is a plus
• Minimum 8-10 years in Sourcing, Purchasing, Procurement
• Proven experience in sourcing different direct material components (metals, plastic, raw-material, rubber, electronics, traded products) and contract manufacturing
• Computer skills are a must with proficiency in Excel BI (pivot table, formulas, reports), Word, Power Point, Power BI, and AI utilization
• High mobility, 30% traveling within US to either Dometic locations or supplier including, travel overseas for one to two weeks, up to twice a year
• Experience in overseas trips and supplier development in low-cost regions preferred
• Forward thinking – Strategic Mindset

To be successful in this role, we believe that you possess the following skills, competencies & characteristics:

• Familiar with and motivated by the Commercial side of Business
• In-depth knowledge of Purchasing/Sourcing area and manufacturing processes
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Effective interpersonal skills, problem solving, experience in business case and project financial analysis, strong project management skills
• A passion for project implementation
• Forward thinking, strategic mindset

Dometic’s Core Values

To thrive and succeed in this role, you understand the importance of our core values – Together We build our future, We play to win, We embrace change, and We walk the talk; these values reflect the heart and soul of Dometic, and they define what it takes to work here and how we do things.

Dometic operates with a hybrid policy. We see the social aspect of being in the office, meeting colleagues, having short coffee break interactions or a quick face to face meeting as key to success as we become more productive and fast paced in terms of problem solving, learning, cross functional collaboration and not the least in a way to have fun at work!

Are you our next star?

Then we would love to see your application.

Dometic is passionate about building together an inclusive and equitable working environment, that respects individual strengths, views, and experiences. We believe that diversity enables us to thrive across our differences. Be yourself and join us!

Dometic is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. Dometic evaluates qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, gender, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.

Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.