Supply Chain Category Manager

Union Tank Car Company - UTLX; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Union Tank Car Company (UTLX) is seeking a Rail Group Category Manager, Indirect Procurement to lead enterprise‑wide sourcing strategies across indirect spend categories from MRO to professional services. This corporate hybrid role is based at Chicago or Oakville, Ontario, with relocation assistance considered.

You will partner with senior operations, finance, HR, IT, and legal to optimize costs, improve supplier performance, and implement best‑in‑class procurement practices, delivering

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; MBA preferred.
• 7–10+ years of strategic sourcing or procurement experience.
• Experience managing large indirect spend portfolios ($50M–$200M+).
• Expertise in negotiating MSAs, SOWs, and service agreements.
• Strong financial acumen and supplier management capabilities.
• Ability to influence senior stakeholders and drive organizational change.
• CPSM, ISM, or equivalent certification preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead strategic category management across indirect categories including MRO, Facilities, Logistics Services, Professional Services, CAPEX, and other non‑production goods and services.
• Drive spend governance, supplier consolidation, and demand management initiatives.
• Identify cost reductions, lead RFPs, RFQs, negotiations, and contract renewals.
• Partner with Finance to align procurement with budgets and forecasts.
• Establish supplier scorecards, conduct QBRs, and drive continuous improvement across the supplier network.
• Create dashboards and use analytics to monitor spend, savings, supplier performance, and compliance.

Skills

Strategic sourcing

Stakeholder influence

Data analytics

Cost modeling

Supplier management

Education

Bachelor’s degree

MBA preferred

CPSM/ISM certification preferred

Tools

Power BI

Job description

Position:

Rail Group Category Manager, Indirect Procurement (Corporate hybrid position based at Chicago or Oakville, Ontario. Relocation assistance considered.)

Description

Drive Strategic Sourcing. Optimize Spend. Create Enterprise Value.

Are you a procurement leader who thrives on transforming spend into strategic advantage? We're seeking a Category Manager, Indirect Procurement to lead enterprise‑wide sourcing strategies across diverse indirect spend categories while delivering measurable business impact.

In this highly visible role, you’ll partner with senior leaders across Operations, Finance, HR, IT, and Legal to optimize costs, strengthen supplier performance, and implement best‑in‑class procurement practices.

What You’ll Do

• Lead Strategic Category Management:
  • Develop and execute sourcing strategies across indirect categories including MRO, Facilities, Logistics Services, Professional Services, CAPEX, and other non‑production goods and services.
  • Drive spend governance, supplier consolidation, and demand management initiatives.
• Deliver Significant Cost Savings:
  • Identify and execute cost reduction and cost avoidance opportunities.
  • Lead complex sourcing events, RFPs, RFQs, negotiations, and contract renewals.
  • Partner with Finance to align procurement strategies with budgets and forecasts.
• Build High‑Performing Supplier Partnerships:
  • Establish supplier scorecards and performance metrics.
  • Conduct Quarterly Business Reviews (QBRs).
  • Drive accountability, service excellence, and continuous improvement across the supplier network.
• Leverage Data & Analytics:
  • Utilize procurement systems and tools such as Power BI and other analytics platforms.
  • Create dashboards that provide visibility into spend, savings, supplier performance, and compliance.
  • Turn insights into action and business results.

What You Bring

• Bachelor’s degree required; MBA preferred
• 7‑10+ years of strategic sourcing or procurement experience
• Proven success managing large, complex indirect spend portfolios ($50M–$200M+)
• Expertise in negotiating sophisticated service agreements, MSAs, and SOWs
• Strong financial acumen, cost modeling, and supplier management capabilities
• Ability to influence senior stakeholders and drive organizational change
• CPSM, ISM, or equivalent certification preferred

Why Join Us?

• Make a measurable impact on enterprise performance
• Partner directly with executive and functional leadership
• Lead transformational sourcing initiatives
• Shape supplier strategy and business outcomes
• Work in a collaborative, data‑driven environment where your expertise is valued and your results matter

Success Looks Like

• Significant annual cost savings delivered
• Increased spend under management
• Improved contract compliance and supplier performance
• Reduction in off‑contract spending
• Enhanced stakeholder satisfaction
• Stronger payment terms and working capital outcomes

Ready to Make an Impact?

If you’re a strategic procurement professional who combines commercial acumen, analytical thinking, and exceptional relationship‑building skills, apply today and help drive the future of indirect sourcing excellence.