Strategic Sourcing Category Manager, eCommerce Technology

Kroger Family of Companies; Cincinnati (OH); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

The Kroger Family of Companies is seeking a Procurement Category Manager to drive category strategy, optimize supplier bases, and negotiate complex contracts. You will work with stakeholders to meet business needs, achieve savings, and improve cash flow while upholding Kroger's values of respect, honesty, integrity, diversity, inclusion, and safety.

Responsibilities include leading category management, supplier qualification, SRM, and procurement process improvements.

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 relationships with internal clients and key influencers.
• Advanced Microsoft Office skills (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Vizio).
• Oral and written communication skills for strategy formulation in a complex 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.
• Identify potential suppliers to extend payment terms and improve gross margin.
• Implement supplier finance and discount programs focusing on cash flow and working capital.
• Strategic Sourcing: coordinate sourcing activities and manage analysts.
• Coordinate sourcing strategy reviews and ensure updates to strategy documents.
• Support creation, execution, and communication of category management strategy.
• Drive internal compliance with policies, strategies, and guidelines.
• Negotiate and execute highly complex contracts with suppliers.
• Coordinate improvement opportunities, risk mitigation, and action plans.
• Lead SRM activities to create value and drive continuous improvement.
• Lead business relationships with suppliers and foster long-term value.
• Oversee supplier qualification and develop transition plans.
• Develop and maintain relationships with business partners for procurement influence.
• Oversee procurement process metrics and insights.
• Maintain knowledge of Kroger initiatives affecting category performance.
• Supervise and coach direct reports with performance reviews and feedback.
• Create a productive work environment with clear objectives and teamwork.

Skills

Stakeholder management

Financial analysis

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business/Finance/Supply Chain/Manufacturing/Retail/CPG

MBA or Masters degree

Tools

Microsoft Office

Visio

Job description

Utilize category specific expertise to work with business stakeholders to determine category strategy, optimize supplier base, conduct sourcing events, negotiate and support contract execution. Achieve savings targets and reducing spend while working with business stakeholders to meet business needs. Demonstrate the company’s core values of respect, honesty, integrity, diversity, inclusion, and safety.

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

QUALIFICATIONS Minimum

• Bachelors 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

Desired

• MBA or Masters degree

• CPM/CPSM, CSCP or equivalent certification

• 5 years experience in Supply Chain or Procurement

• 3 years of leading a sourcing team