Category Manager

Job Description

Why is this a great opportunity?

The Category Manager role will establish and implement third party Category Management strategies and solutions with the intent to obtain best value in support of enterprise needs. The role will provide expertise and insights on industry trends, financial analysis, supply and demand, etc. for certain commodity or service categories. They will be responsible for building and executing holistic category plans and providing strategic support on sourcing initiatives, execution planning and communication plans that address change management.

The Category Manager role will also be required to provide best practices and feedback to the Procurement Team on process mapping, master agreements, bid & proposal documentation and Procure-to-Pay (P2P) - PO strategy for their assigned commodity or service categories. The role will develop and manage relationships with business leaders, enterprise stakeholders, operational partners and strategic suppliers. This position will reside in Zachry’s procurement strategy area and support sourcing initiatives across the procurement team and the enterprise.

Responsibilities

What you’ll do as a Category Manager:

• Efficiently execute and coordinate strategic sourcing events and act as a subject matter expert to Procurement Specialists on events by providing ongoing strategic and sourcing guidance throughout the lifecycle of assigned categories
• Build out effective Category Strategies by performing analysis on internal utilization, external benchmarking, identify optimized cost models, and develop an assessment of opportunities; establish category goals with metrics and performance criteria to track initiatives
• Align Commodity or Service pricing strategies with Estimating, Proposal and Sourcing Teams to ensure commercial value chain alignment, including but not limited to developing commercial pricing models, risk mitigation and indexing strategy
• Build out and leverage data sources and reports to conduct utilization analysis to monitor and manage spend data within a category. Work with business and procurement stakeholders to establish demand forecasts to manage ongoing category activities
• Conduct ongoing review of market and industry trends to inform category activities; systematically identify opportunities to optimize cost, reduce risk and improve product/service delivery
• Understand needs and characteristics of the business and industry regulatory requirements to provide solutions and recommendations that align to business strategy
• Develops and manage relationships with business leaders, functional stakeholders and strategic suppliers; manage relationship level escalations and pursue collaborative resolution of issues impacting category strategy execution
• Assist in the development of critical performance measures for strategic suppliers aligned to category strategy expectations
• Develop and execute internal and external guidelines/guardrails to ensure adherence and achievement of the category strategy
• Streamline sourcing processes based on category risk profile; monitor adherence to guidelines and contractual terms
• Support the build out of a Supplier Relationship Management program and establish influential relationships with strategic suppliers
• Build relationship with key stakeholders to influence key initiatives at the point of decision, including but not limited to developing communications and presentations to C-Suite leadership teams.
• Proactively initiate change through the development of efficient processes, procedures, training and change management
• Maintain and develop knowledge of procurement applications including Oracle, PPMS and Other support software
  
  
  

Qualifications

What is an added plus?

• Bachelor’s degree or a diploma with equivalent working experience in lieu of a degree
• 5- 7 years related experience preferred
• Prior experience in developing, supporting and executing multi-year projects
• Proficient in reviewing and coordinating Contract Management, Contract Administration and Contract Negotiations.
• Proficient in data analysis and commodity cost modeling and pricing experience
• Preferred large industrial construction procurement experience
• Prefer experience in multiple industrial market sectors
• Prior experience interfacing with client and engineering entities preferred
  
  
  

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Employee will be required to communicate in person, via telephone, email, use of arm/hand steadiness, manual dexterity, finger dexterity, multi limb coordination, oral expression, and comprehension. May be required to lift, carry and move objects safely.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Work will be in a conservative corporate office environment operating and functioning at a fast pace. Working out of cubicles near other various colleagues who are also in cubes. Some may refer to these workspaces as cube farms. Our corporate campus includes an on-site café with various daily breakfast, lunch and snack-time selections, a sizeable fitness center equipped with various state of the artwork out equipment & weights, outdoor walking/jogging-path, herb garden, basketball half-court, sand-volleyball court, soccer field, as well as a clinic with a certified nurse practitioner. Office noise will be low and generally consist of cube neighbors’ phone-calls, conversations and/or laughter. You can expect people to treat you with friendliness and respect throughout the Zachry campus.

The above description covers the fundamental responsibilities of the Category Manager position. It shall not be construed as a complete listing of all miscellaneous, incidental, or similar duties which may be required from day-to-day.

Zachry Group is dedicated to providing a Safe and Drug Free work environment; and is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Company Benefits:

Meaningful Work

Team–Based Culture

Opportunity for Growth