Vertical Category Manager

The Category Manager is responsible for assigned spend management through relationship building with suppliers, cost negotiation, profit-seeking agreements, and innovation. This position requires the following functions to positively impact short-term and long-term business goals: analysis, sourcing, negotiation, and quality assurance.

Responsible for multiple categories and be the Team Leader for their respective sub-team which will include managing multiple purchasing buyers and support representatives. This position is responsible for leading sourcing projects, managing inventory levels within their categories, obtaining competitive pricing consistent with quality, reliability and timing requirements while maintaining strong vendor relationships. The Category Manager will work collaboratively with other category teams and with various departments.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Manages supplier relationships within the assigned categories to drive supplier performance, contract effectiveness, collaboration and deliver improved result.
• Manages and directs work of functional team, including hiring, corrective action, performance appraisals and pay review, budget and processes.
• Ability to lead and motivate a large team, manage performance, and foster a collaborative and productive work environment in accordance to Wurth basic principles.
• Implement training programs to ensure staff are equipped with necessary skills and knowledge, including new employee onboarding.
• Manage workforce planning, staffing, and labor relations to meet operational requirements.
• Drive supplier performance in your areas and use agreed metrics and tools to do this along with periodic supplier review meetings where performance is measured with agreed follow up and action plans.
• Price improvement - Negotiate supplier price reductions. Review sourcing history and supplier capabilities to align parts with qualified, competitive manufacturers.
• Reviews historical and competitive costs to identify cost savings opportunities and variances.
• Bring industry benchmarks, expertise, knowledge of trends, and other third-party data to prepare for vendor selection and negotiation.
• Product lifecycle management and SKU/supplier rationalization.
• Proactively drives initiatives to meet sourcing and purchasing objectives.
• Other duties and responsibilities may be assigned.

EDUCATION, QUALIFICATIONS, SKILLS & ABILITIES

• Bachelors Degree and 1 year related experience; or an Associate's degree (A. A.) with two-three years related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, collaborative, and leadership skills.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to foster positive and productive working relationships at all organizational levels and vendor community.
• Strong product and industry knowledge.
• Business travel required.
• Exhibit and maintain confidentiality with company related issues and materials.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to use personal computers and applicable computer software.
• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, or governmental regulations and keep abreast of any purchasing related issues.
• Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals.
• Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, team leaders and associates and vendors.
• Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists.
• Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form. Must possess decision making skills.
• While performing the duties of this job, the associate is continuously (67%-100% of the time) required to sit. The associate is frequently (34%-66% of the time) required to walk. The associate is occasionally (1%-33% of the time) required to stand; climb stairs; kneel; bend/stoop; squat/crouch; push/pull; twist; work in awkward positions; reach above/at/below shoulder; bend wrist left/right and up/down; turn hand palm side up; grasp and use fine manipulation; lift and carry less than 10 lbs up to 50 lbs.

Salary Range: $90,000 - $110,000

Pay is based on several factors which vary based on position. These include labor markets and, in some instances, may include education, skills, work experience and certifications. You may also be eligible to participate in an annual incentive bonus. An incentive bonus, if any, depends on various factors such as organizational performance.

The Wurth Difference:

• Proactive supply chain solutions customized to your business, your industry
• Industrial products and services delivered with prompt, personal attention
• Inventory management solutions that keep your production line moving smoothly
• Complete program support from initial design, to implementation, training, to ongoing analysis

Why Wurth:

• Maternity/Paternal leave after 1 year of service
• Tuition Reimbursement eligible after 1 year of service
• Health benefits and programs - medical, vision, dental, life insurance and more
• Additional benefits 401(k), short term disability, long term disability
• Paid Time Off, accrued per pay period, additional day earned per year of service
• 10 paid holidays

FIND OUT MORE ABOUT OUR COMPANY CULTURE:

• Linkedln - https://www.linkedin.com/company/wurth-industry-north-america
• Facebook - https://facebook.com/Wurthlndustry
• YouTube - https://youtube.com/c/WurthlndustryNorthAmerica

EEOC STATEMENT:

The Wurth Industry North America group of companies are Equal Opportunity Employers and do not discriminate on the basis of an individual's sex, age, race, color, creed, national origin, alienage, religion, marital status, pregnancy, sexual orientation or affectional preference, genetic trait or predisposition, carrier status, citizenship, veteran or military status, and other personal characteristics protected by law. All applications will receive consideration for employment without regard to legally protected characteristics. Wurth will consider qualified applicants, including those with criminal histories, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable federal, state and local laws.