Strategic Tech Procurement Category Lead

Tarter Gate Company, LLC; Dunnville (KY); On-site; USD 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Tarter Gate Company, LLC in Dunnville, KY is seeking a Procurement Technical Category Manager to drive strategic sourcing for technical categories across the product lifecycle. You will partner with Engineering, Operations, Quality, Finance, and leadership to optimize cost, quality, manufacturability, and supply continuity.

You will lead VA/VE initiatives, develop cost models, and manage RFQ/RFP events while influencing early design decisions for new products and product updates.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years of experience in Strategic Sourcing, Engineering, Category Management, or Technical Procurement within a manufacturing environment.
• Experience supporting New Product Introduction (NPI) or New Product Development (NPD) programs.
• Strong knowledge of manufacturing processes.
• Experience with supplier negotiations and strategic sourcing initiatives.
• Experience developing and executing category strategies.
• Strong understanding of supplier cost structures and manufacturing economics.
• Proven success leading VA/VE or cost reduction initiatives.
• Ability to interpret engineering drawings, specifications, and manufacturing documentation.
• Strong analytical, negotiation, and project management skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead technical category management.
• Lead VA/VE and cost-reduction initiatives.
• Develop sourcing strategies and manage RFQ/RFP processes.
• Collaborate with Engineering, Operations, Quality, Finance, and Plant Leadership.
• Ensure sourcing decisions support product launch timelines and cost targets.
• Monitor supplier performance and manage supplier relationships.
• Identify supply risks and mitigation strategies.
• Lead cross-functional sourcing projects.
• Support NPI and NPD programs.
• Drive cost models and should-cost analyses.

Skills

Strategic Sourcing

Technical Procurement

Category Management

Value Analysis / Value Engineering

Cost Modeling

New Product Introduction

New Product Development

Design for Manufacturability

Design for Cost

Design to Value

Project Management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Procurement, Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Business Administration, or a related field

Tools

SAP ERP

Oracle ERP

Epicor ERP

Microsoft Dynamics

Job description

Tarter Gate Company, LLC in Dunnville, KY is seeking a Procurement Technical Category Manager to drive strategic sourcing for technical categories across the product lifecycle. You will partner with Engineering, Operations, Quality, Finance, and leadership to optimize cost, quality, manufacturability, and supply continuity.

You will lead VA/VE initiatives, develop cost models, and manage RFQ/RFP events while influencing early design decisions for new products and product updates.