Category Manager

Posted 21 Days Ago
Be an Early Applicant
Hiring Remotely in Gunma, JPN
Remote
Mid level
Logistics • Other
The Role
Develops and executes procurement strategies for assigned categories, monitors markets, negotiates pricing, and drives cost reductions. Manages supplier identification, onboarding, performance, quality, risk, and continuous improvement. Partners with plants and distribution centers to support profitable operations, conducts supplier assessments and audits, and communicates category strategies to leadership. Requires data analysis, negotiation, technical interpretation, ERP usage, and occasional visits to the Gunma plant and regional suppliers.
Summary Generated by Built In

Donaldson is committed to solving the world’s most complex filtration challenges. Together, we make cool things. As an established technology and innovation leader, we are continuously evolving to meet the filtration needs of our changing world. Join a culture of collaboration and innovation that matters and a chance to learn, effect change, and make meaningful contributions at work and in communities. ​

 

Position Description

·       Conceptualizes, develops, and implements procurement strategies for assigned categories that ensure supply and financial objectives are achieved.

·       Monitors category markets that influence cost and supply in area(s) of responsibility and uses this information to refine category strategies. Executes fact-based negotiations that drive best total cost and ensure continuous supply for Donaldson.

·       Communicates category strategies and trends, to the Donaldson leadership team and other stakeholders and also provides periodic overviews of category strategy effectiveness.

·       Manages category pricing to align with current market conditions and in consideration of cost of category inputs. Independent of market prices, drives year-over-year cost reductions with all assigned suppliers.            

·       Identifies, on-boards, and develops suppliers appropriate to Donaldson strategic sourcing objectives. Uses supplier performance management data and tools to drive supplier performance around quality, delivery, cost and continuous improvement.

·       Performs regular reviews with suppliers to recognize and benchmark strong performance and/or develop meaningful action plans to remedy sub-standard performance.

·       Provides support to Donaldson plant and distribution center teams to ensure strong alignment around servicing our end customers and ensuring efficient and profitable operations within Donaldson.

·       Engages the Supplier Quality Management team in supplier development processes to ensure 50 PPM quality levels are achieved.

·       Completes comprehensive risk management assessments of the supply base through formal assessment tools, audits and analysis, coupled with face-to-face and on-site interactions. Identifies and implements countermeasures to mitigate identified risks.

Minimum Requirements

·       Bachelor’s degree in business, Finance, or related field and minimum 4 years professional level sourcing experience.

·       Strong data analytics skills.

·       Institute for Supply Management - CPSM Certification preferred.

Responsibility/Skill Level

·       Critical thinker who possess quantitative/data analytical skills

·       Strong negotiator who uses knowledge-based data-drive negotiating techniques

·       Proven track-record of success in managing costs:

1.  ability read market and category conditions and use information to drive pricing

2.  ability to identify and implement innovative cost savings projects.

·       Effective technical skills:

3.  ability to interpret technical drawings and specifications.

4.  ability to understand technical aspects of assigned categories.

·       Strong drive for continuous learning and development

·       Proactive/sense of urgency

·       Strong communication skills

·       Ability to prioritize tasks.

·       Sound judgment

·       Drive for continuous improvement and innovation.

Others

·       Be able to visit Gunma plant in need base (Suppliers in Gunma region)

·       Be able to use ERP system.

·       To understand jobs between Procurement and Purchasing

Thank you for helping us make a world of difference. 

Employment opportunities for positions in the United States may require use of information which is subject to the export control regulations of the United States. Hiring decisions for such positions are required by law to be made in compliance with these regulations. Applicants for employment opportunities in other countries must be able to meet the comparable export control requirements of that country and of the United States.

Donaldson Company has been made aware that there are several recruiting scams that are targeting job seekers.  These scams have attempted to solicit money for job applications and/or collect confidential information, Donaldson will never solicit money during the application or recruiting process.  Donaldson only accepts online applications through our Careers | Donaldson Company, Inc. website and any communication from a Donaldson recruiter would be sent using a donaldson.com email address.  If you have any questions about the legitimacy of an employment opportunity, please reach out to [email protected] to verify that the communication is from Donaldson.

Our policy is to provide equal employment opportunities to all qualified persons without regard to race, gender, color, disability, national origin, age, religion, union affiliation, sexual orientation, veteran status, citizenship, gender identity and/or expression, or other status protected by law.

Skills Required

  • Bachelor’s degree in business, finance, or a related field
  • Minimum four years of professional-level sourcing experience
  • Strong data analytics skills
  • Strong negotiation and quantitative analysis skills
  • Experience managing costs, pricing, and cost-saving initiatives
  • Ability to interpret technical drawings and specifications
  • Ability to understand technical aspects of assigned categories
  • Strong communication, prioritization, judgment, and continuous-improvement skills
  • Ability to use an ERP system
  • Institute for Supply Management CPSM certification
  • Ability to visit the Gunma plant and suppliers in the Gunma region as needed

Donaldson Company Compensation & Benefits Highlights

The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Donaldson Company and has not been reviewed or approved by Donaldson Company.

  • Retirement Support — Retirement programs like a 401(k) match, profit-sharing, and an employee stock purchase plan are positioned as meaningful components of total compensation. Company materials consistently frame retirement benefits within a broader Total Rewards offering.
  • Healthcare Strength — Medical, dental, vision, and a 24/7 Employee Assistance Program with mental‑health resources create a comprehensive health and wellbeing package. Healthcare is often characterized as decent and a core strength of the overall offering.
  • Leave & Time Off Breadth — Paid time off, holidays, and paid parental leave are explicitly included, alongside other company‑paid leaves such as bereavement, jury duty, and military leave. Some locations highlight multi‑week PTO from the first year, underscoring breadth of leave options.

Donaldson Company Insights

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The Company
HQ: Minneapolis, MN
14,000 Employees
Year Founded: 1915

What We Do

Donaldson Company helps solve some of the world's most complex filtration and contamination control challenges, and is one of the largest global providers of unique filtration technologies and high-quality filters and parts. Our filtration technologies and products are used every day, in a variety of industries and environments, including aerospace, agriculture, construction, food and beverage, manufacturing, mining, power generation, transportation and many more. Key to our success, our 14,000 employees support customers at sales, manufacturing and distribution centers from over 140 locations on six continents. The filtration market continues to grow. Customers'​ needs for filtration solutions continue to evolve. And the opportunities for our products and our people continue to expand.

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