Category Manager, Metal Fabrication

POSITION OVERVIEW

As a Category Manager, you will lead category strategy development and supplier management for mechanical and metal‑fabrication commodities, including welded assemblies, stampings, bent/formed tubing, bearings, and other fabricated metal components across North America. You will drive cost optimization, elevate global supplier performance, strengthen negotiation capability within the team, and support multi-site operations through data-driven procurement leadership. This role is ideal for someone who thrives in a fast-moving manufacturing environment, excels in negotiations, and can transform our current supply base into a strategic supplier network.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Top Priorities: Cost Optimization Strategies, Negotiation Tactics, Supplier Transformation
• Lead strategy, sourcing, and supplier management for a metals-focused portfolio (approx. $40M) that includes welded frames, stampings, bent/formed tubing, bearings, and a variety of fabricated metal components.
• Build and execute multi‑year category plans that strengthen supplier capabilities, improve cost competitiveness, and support operations across multiple manufacturing sites.
• Assess and restructure a fragmented supply base by consolidating small and mid‑sized vendors into a more strategic, scalable network that aligns with long‑term business objectives.
• Use market intelligence, cost drivers, and should‑cost/clean‑sheet modeling to identify savings opportunities and develop actionable cost‑reduction roadmaps.
• Manage full sourcing cycles-including RFIs, RFPs, technical evaluations, supplier selection, and onboarding-and ensure all sourcing activities follow best‑practice commercial governance.
• Drive complex negotiations covering pricing, commercial terms, service levels, liability structures, and cost models to secure sustainable value for the organization.
• Deliver quantifiable cost reductions, cost avoidance initiatives, and improvements in total cost of ownership while advancing dual‑sourcing, localization, and risk/tariff mitigation efforts.
• Establish, maintain, and renegotiate long‑term agreements; manage supplier performance through KPIs, SLAs, and structured business reviews; and support category expansion tied to internal growth initiatives.
• Evaluate the supplier landscape to identify high‑potential strategic partners and streamline non‑value‑added suppliers in order to optimize operational efficiency.
• Collaborate closely with Operations, Engineering, Quality, and Plant leadership to ensure alignment on sourcing strategy, supplier selection, technical requirements, and cost targets.
• Serve as a key partner and advisor in cross-functional discussions, bringing negotiation strength and category expertise to influence decision-making at multiple levels.
• Provide coaching and guidance to team members on negotiation tactics, cost modeling, and supplier management to help elevate procurement capability within the organization.
• Build and maintain dashboards, savings pipelines, and performance reports; track PPV, TCO, supplier metrics, and progress against category initiatives.
• Use ERP systems, Power BI, and advanced Excel tools to create data-driven insights that support leadership reviews and inform sourcing decisions.
• Ensure consistent governance, documentation, and visibility across all category management activities to support transparency and internal alignment.

KEY QUALIFICATIONS

• 5+ years of direct materials strategic sourcing/category management experience in a manufacturing environment.
• Strong background in metal fabrication categories, including welded frames/weldments, stampings, bearings, bent tubing, and fabricated metal components.
• Exceptional negotiation skills with a proven track record in delivering significant cost savings (must be able to articulate specific examples).
• Experience working with diverse suppliers, supplier consolidation, should-cost/clean-sheet modeling, cost breakdowns, value analysis, dual-sourcing, and risk mitigation.
• Proficiency in ERP systems, Power BI, and advanced Excel (data modeling, cost analysis, dashboards).

Strong communication, stakeholder influence, and project leadership capabilities.