Regional Category Manager - MRO, Consumables, and Equipment
The Regional Category Manager will lead and drive the implementation of category strategies within the local operational environment. Maximize savings associated with managed spend as defined by category teams. Contribute to the development of procurement strategy and lead its rollout across plants, regions, or business segments. Ensure effective implementation of procurement processes, procedures, and KPIs while managing approximately $300M in spend. This hybrid role can sit out of Chicago, IL, Nashville, TN, or Dallas, TX.
Key Responsibilities
- Manage operational and tactical procurement of goods and services in alignment with established category strategies, policies, procedures, and specifications.
- Serve as the primary interface between Category Management and Operations.
- Drive savings realization, supply efficiency, quality improvements, and process optimization at the country level, aligned with regional strategy.
- Identify cost-saving opportunities and initiate projects across all operational levels.
- Lead, manage, and develop Procurement Managers, Warehouse Managers, and Buyers.
- Negotiate pricing, contract terms, quality standards, and freight conditions to achieve the lowest total delivered cost.
- Maintain strong awareness of commodity trends and local/regional market conditions impacting procurement.
- Provide procurement insights and support at plant, regional, and business segment levels.
- Promote and uphold health, safety, and environmental standards; foster a culture of safety.
Stakeholder Engagement
- Executive leadership (e.g., country CEO and executive committee)
- Functional and manufacturing senior leadership
- Operational leaders (e.g., plant managers)
- Global and regional category management teams
- Regional procurement teams
- Additional stakeholders as required.
Qualifications & Experience
Education
- Bachelor's degree required
- Master's degree preferred
- Preferred fields: Engineering, Economics, Business, or Supply Chain
- Postgraduate qualifications in Management, Business, or Procurement (MBA preferred)
Experience
- 10+ years in procurement (category management, sourcing, and operations)
- Strong experience in supply chain management, strategic sourcing, and procurement processes
- Direct experience managing spend across Equipment, Consumables, and MRO
Core Skills & Capabilities
- Spend and data analytics
- Cost management and optimization
- Negotiation and commercial acumen
- Supplier and market management
- Contract management
Additional Competencies
- Proven ability to work cross-functionally and deliver against demanding business objectives
- Strong communication skills, including influencing senior stakeholders and suppliers
- Effective negotiation skills with the ability to drive outcomes
- Strong analytical skills for interpreting market intelligence, evaluating supplier performance, and identifying cost savings
- Comprehensive understanding of end-to-end supply chain processes
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