Category Manager

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Position: Category Manager

Reporting to: Sourcing Director

Location: Remote

Date: August 2025

Position Overview

We are currently seeking an experienced Category Manager with a strategic mindset, strong supplier management skills, and exceptional negotiation abilities. They will be responsible for overseeing strategic procurement activities for the products necessary to manufacture energy storage solutions. The Category Manager will develop in-depth knowledge of markets and suppliers while working with internal and external stakeholders to maximize value and mitigate risk. They will develop and implement comprehensive category strategies, driving cost reduction, mitigating risk, and ensuring exceptional performance and quality from our suppliers. Through strong partnerships and collaboration across internal and external stakeholders, they will ensure our business has the components needed to support growth and profitability.

This role is critical in ensuring the supply chain is efficient, cost-effective, and aligned with the company's production and quality standards. The ideal candidate will be results-oriented and an agent for positive change. The Category Manager will play a pivotal role in overseeing more than $10 million in annual expenditure. They will be expected to manage multiple priorities simultaneously through project management, organization, and time management skills for optimal remote working conditions. They will manage sourcing activities across the organization by identifying and qualifying suppliers to meet our technical and business requirements, ensuring productivity, cost efficiency, and continuous improvement.

The ideal candidate will possess: (1) significant experience leading strategic sourcing and/or category management projects and teams, (2) experience in sourcing from and managing relationships with global vendors, (3) a proven track record of delivering distinctive commercial results, (4) excellent strategic, analytical, and interpersonal skills to act as an effective change agent, unlocking barriers to value for priority spend categories, (5) superior project management, collaboration and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Strategic Sourcing:
  • Identify, prioritize, and execute global, scalable, strategic sourcing initiatives to reduce costs, and improve supply chain efficiency while supporting the objectives of the organization.
  • Analyze market trends, industry benchmarks, and emerging technologies to optimize procurement decisions and champion innovation
  • Identify potential risks in the supply chain and develop mitigation strategies to ensure continuity of supply.  
  • Continuously assess and refine category strategies to adapt to changing market conditions and technological advancements.
  • Embrace and drive change within the supply chain to improve processes, reduce costs, and enhance overall efficiency.
• Category Execution
  • Structure spend analysis to enable informed decision-making with stakeholders. Execute sourcing opportunities, including RFX, supplier consolidation, negotiations, and alternative supply.
  • Establish preferred suppliers in the assigned category to manage global suppliers, ensuring supply reliability and continuity, quality, price stability, innovation, and identification of alternative sources
  • Represent Category Management as a strategic procurement and subject matter expert. Work closely with cross-functional teams to ensure materials meet technical specifications and budget constraints.
  • Develop and track key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure the effectiveness of category management strategies and supplier performance.
  • Drive continuous improvement and cost transparency, including “Should Cost” modeling to optimize cost decisions
• Supplier Relationship Management
  • Identify, evaluate, and manage relationships with suppliers to ensure the best quality, cost, and delivery performance.
  • Optimize value, quality, and security of supply by measuring performance and maintaining relationships and monitoring suppliers’ key performance indicators (KPIs) and leading regular category reviews
  • When performance issues emerge, identify root causes and lead supplier interactions to drive quick and efficient resolution of issues at hand by working across both internal and external stakeholders  
• Operational Procurement
  • Ensure procurement system data integrity through appropriate internal controls such as vendor and material masters.
  • Analyze category data and identify cost-saving opportunities
  • Collaborate with plants to monitor inventory levels and balance supply and demand to minimize excess stock and prevent shortages or late customer orders
  • Ensure compliance with industry and global regulations, corporate policies, and ethical sourcing standards

Competency

• Strong prioritization, sense of urgency, and time management skills with a bias towards hands-on involvement
• Excellent communication skills, including written and verbal communication. A high level of negotiation and contract management skills
• Proactive, results-oriented, and have a strong attention to detail.
• A natural change agent possessing the strategic, analytical, and teamwork skills needed to drive major commercial decisions across a diverse set of stakeholders
• Strategy development by strong business analytical skills and comfort with identifying data needs and sources.
• Excellent facilitation and organizational skills with the ability to work effectively in multidisciplinary teams and deliver complex objectives under stringent timelines.
• Ability to think critically and demonstrate troubleshooting and problem-solving skills – resourceful and hands-on.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Engineering, Business, or related field
• Relevant certifications such as Certified Professional in Supply Management (CPSM) or Certified Supply Chain Professional (CSCP) are preferred.

• Minimum of 5 years of procurement management experience within the manufacturing industry; experience in the battery manufacturing industry or a related field is highly desirable.

• Proven track record of success in global strategic sourcing and a strong understanding of market dynamics and best practices.
• Excellent negotiation, communication, and influencing skills.
• Data-driven with a keen eye for cost optimization and risk mitigation.
• Experienced in supplier relationship management
• Capability to interface with senior leadership across regions both internally and externally.
• Experience with low-cost-country sourcing in emerging markets, including APAC and Mexico, preferred
• Experience with ERP/MRP systems and supply chain and analytics software required; familiarity with international sourcing and tariffs is a plus
• Ability to travel as needed

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