Procurement - 7

We are seeking a Category Manager to lead the sourcing strategy for North America Direct Materials, supporting New Product Development (NPD) and key component and finished product supply. This role owns supplier strategy for the category and is responsible for building a strong, reliable supply base that supports product development, cost performance, and operational stability.

The Category Manager works closely with Engineering, R&D, Operations, and Quality to influence supplier selection, manufacturability, and cost targets from early design through full production. This role leads supplier negotiations, supports NPD sourcing decisions, and drives cost and productivity improvements across the category.

This role may be based in Huntersville, NC, and reports directly to the Director Procurement.

Own and execute category strategy for North America direct material suppliers

• Develop long-term sourcing strategies aligned to cost competitiveness, innovation, and supply resilience
• Lead supplier selection, negotiations, and contracting for strategic direct material and finished goods categoriesdentify, develop, and manage strategic supplier partnerships that support product innovation and operational excellence
• Partner with Engineering and R&D during product design to influence manufacturability, supplier selection, and cost targets
• Serve as the procurement lead for NPD programs, ensuring supply readiness, cost alignment, and supplier capability
• Lead sourcing workstreams for NPD launches, product transfers, and lifecycle cost improvement initiatives
• Develop and execute cost reduction, value engineering, and working capital initiatives across direct material categories
• Drive design to cost and productivity initiatives that support margin expansion
• Develop and manage cost reduction pipelines and track productivity impact
• Build supplier cost understanding and market intelligence to strengthen negotiations and sourcing decisions
• Monitor supplier market dynamics, including commodity trends, capacity constraints, and supply risk
• Lead supplier performance management through scorecards, business reviews, and corrective action plans
• Develop and maintain risk mitigation and supply continuity strategies for critical suppliers
• Manage RFQ and RFP processes for direct material and finished goods categories
• Provide procurement insight and supplier market intelligence to leadership and cross-functional teams
• Support business planning and growth initiatives through supplier capability assessments and cost modeling

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Procurement, Engineering, Business, or related discipline; Master's preferred.
• 2-4 years of progressive experience in Strategic Sourcing or Category Management
• Experience sourcing finished goods and supporting NPD programs required
• Strong understanding of supplier cost structures and design-to-cost principles
• Proven strategic sourcing, category leadership, and supplier relationship management experience.
• Advanced analytical, negotiation, and problem-solving skills.
• Proficiency in ERP systems; SAP preferred. Strong Microsoft Office skills, including advanced Excel.
• Strong communication and influence skills with the demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional decisions. Ability to manage multiple priorities and deliver high-quality outcomes with minimal direction.
• Ability to travel up to 25%.* A
• Acts as a go-to leader within Procurement who is trusted to solve problems and drive initiatives.
• Builds a reliable, innovative supplier ecosystem that supports product development and operational excellence.
• Consistently delivers measurable results in cost, quality, lead time, and supplier development.
• Drives proactive solutions, challenges assumptions, and brings strategic insight to leadership.
• Ensures Procurement is viewed as an essential, forward-looking partner across the organization.