Category Manager
Welcome to a better way, an authentic way. Welcome to Nature’s Way.
Inside our minds, inside our hearts, inside our business, inside our bottles.
Our reason for being, the purpose that inspires our work every day, is quite simple: Help people live healthy lives.
When we help people live healthy lives, we build a happier, healthier world for everyone.
How we go about our work drives TRUST in who we are, what we do, and the products we produce. That means something important to the world, and it means the world to us.
People TRUST
Our products to be the gold standard
Our words to be true
Our claims to be honest,
Our actions to have integrity.
Together we work with an awareness of how even small actions affect others, an attitude of kindness and concern for each other, and a drive for action that helps people live healthy lives.
It’s the best way. The right way. The only way. Nature’s Way.
Be a part of helping people live healthy lives!
The Category Manager is part of the Strategic Sourcing team and is responsible for developing category management strategies, that are aligned with Nature’s Way’s business requirements and objectives and executing these strategies to support the organization’s long-term goals and short-term business plans.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned.
SUMMARY
- Develop sourcing strategies and execute supplier negotiation strategies.
- Identify and develop strategic partners that will provide Nature’s Way with additional resources, innovation, and a competitive edge.
- Develop & execute category management strategies, based on organizational requirements to align with current & future market conditions to provide top-line value, improvement to the total cost of ownership model, decrease supply disruption risk, and improve supply chain agility.
- Present category management strategies to department and senior leadership. Develop and build effective working relationships to foster collaboration and trust.
- Manage the RFP process. Prepare the request, select participants, review proposals, negotiate contracts and prices with suppliers, and award the business based on Total Cost of Ownership analyses.
- Work cross functionally with Sales, Marketing, Product Development, and QA Teams to support new product development. Own and manage the supplier relationship throughout the project.
- Effectively lead supplier business meetings with strategic partners and preferred suppliers to drive business value. Involve other functional partners to resolve issues and drive continued supplier development.
- Develop and manage supplier relationships to deliver reliable product supply and total cost effectiveness while meeting or exceeding all customer service, compliance, product requirements, and key performance metrics including material and process selection for purchases, negotiating supply agreements, and establishing supplier performance metrics.
- Manage supplier performance with feedback through monthly scorecards to mitigate risk, support performance improvement, and proactively identify issues. Act as a trusted business advisor by managing and driving resolution of supplier issues and escalating as needed. Develop risk mitigation plans and be a major contributor to the Supplier Risk Mitigation Program.
- Provide subject matter expertise for the assigned categories through complete understanding of the industry, the competitive landscape, the suppliers, price changes/volatility, emerging markets, and future technologies/innovations. Communicate potential opportunities to the business.
- Establish close working relationships with other cross functional areas (e. g. Quality, Manufacturing, Regulatory, Inventory, Product Development, Technical Manufacturing, and Marketing) to ensure full understanding and support of strategic sourcing’s perspective to key processes.
- Develop market intelligence within assigned categories including supply/demand, cost drivers, material indexes, benchmarks, and mergers & acquisitions in the industry to mitigate supply and cost risk. Identify potential hedging opportunities.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES
This position has no supervisory responsibilities.
EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE
Bachelor’s Degree in Business, Operations Management or a related field and a minimum of five years of related experience; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
OTHER SKILLS
- Excellent interpersonal and collaboration skills
- Supplier negotiating and contract management skills
- Proven ability to lead cross functional teams in the resolution of product supply issues, execution of supply agreements, and delivery of cost improvement projects
- Strong analytical, problem solving, and business acumen skills
- Strategic thinking skills
- Project management skills
- Proficient in Microsoft Office applications
- ISM (Institute for Supply Management) or ASCM (Association for Supply Chain Management) certification is desired
- Experience with cGMP regulations and dietary supplement/pharmaceutical supply chain is preferred
PERFORMANCE METRICS
- Total Cost of Ownership (TCO): baseline and target
- Supplier performance via Supplier Management Program Scorecards
- Customer Order Fill Rates
- Risk Management
- New products launched
- Inventory turns
As a Nature’s Way employee, you’ll enjoy a wide variety of benefits that offer the support you need to truly live what you believe.
All benefits are effective on day ONE of your employment!
Medical Option to select either a PPO plan or one of 2 high – deductible medical plans that includes a company contribution to your personal health savings bank account.
Dental Delta Dental PPO & an option to select an enhanced dental plan.
Vision Routine preventative coverage under medical plan and an option to elect additional voluntary coverage
Time Off All employees receive 11 holidays off per year, as well as paid time off that starts at a minimum of two weeks per year.
401K Plan Company match of up to 4% as long as employees contribute a minimum of 6% to the account. An additional profit-sharing contribution is also made to employee accounts if the company meets its annual targets.
You’ll also enjoy a variety of other benefits that support your long-term health and wellness:
- Company provided short-term & long-term disability
- Life and AD&D insurance
- Flexible spending accounts
- Voluntary critical illness & accident coverage
- New parent phase-in program & paternity leave
- Educational assistance reimbursement
- Product discounts & a wellness program
- Free Fitness Center
Start Helping People live Healthy lives today!
What We Do
Nature’s Way® is one of the most recognized and trusted manufacturers of dietary supplements and vitamins. A pioneer in herbal supplements, the Nature’s Way brand is known for its expansive offerings of whole herbs, standardized extracts, vitamins & minerals, and homeopathic remedies. Beyond herbal supplements, Nature’s Way manufactures trusted brands such as Alive! ® multi-vitamins, Fortify probiotics, Umcka® Cold Care, and Sambucus. Our brands are sold through retail partners in the grocery, drug, mass, health food store, eCommerce and other channels, and we are proud to be growing rapidly.
Employees at Nature’s Way have a passion for building trustworthy brands that help improve the health and wellness of others. This is our mission and it forms the basis of everything we do. Whether developing science-based formulas, utilizing top-quality ingredients, or diligently adhering to Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), Nature’s Way is known for its unwavering commitment to quality and efficacy. That’s why consumers know that if it’s Nature’s Way, they can “Trust the Lea
