Category Manager

Posted Yesterday
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Houston, TX, USA
In-Office
Senior level
Artificial Intelligence • Cloud • Information Technology • Automation
The Role
Lead multi-year sourcing strategies for high-value manufacturing categories, drive cost savings via negotiation, value engineering and analytics, manage supplier relationships and risk, support NPD and capital projects, mentor procurement teams, and align cross-functionally to ensure supply continuity and innovation.
Summary Generated by Built In
Locations: Houston (8718)   
Business Units: Central   
Job Classification: Exempt   
Summary
The Senior Category Manager is a strategic leadership role responsible for overseeing high-value and complex spend categories, developing long-term sourcing strategies, and leading enterprise-wide initiatives that drive cost optimization, supply continuity, and innovation. This role serves as a key advisor to senior leadership and plays a critical role in shaping procurement strategies that support manufacturing excellence and business growth.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Category Leadership
  • Develop and execute multi-year category strategies aligned with corporate, operational, and manufacturing objectives
  • Lead strategic planning processes, including demand forecasting, market intelligence, and risk assessment
  • Identify opportunities for innovation, supplier collaboration, and competitive advantage
Advanced Sourcing & Negotiation
  • Lead complex, high-impact sourcing initiatives and negotiations with global suppliers
  • Establish and execute negotiation strategies that deliver best-in-class commercial outcomes
  • Oversee contract development, ensuring alignment with legal, financial, and operational requirements
Supplier Relationship & Performance Management
  • Build executive-level partnerships with strategic suppliers to drive performance, innovation, and long-term value
  • Implement supplier segmentation models and governance frameworks
  • Lead supplier business reviews and continuous improvement initiatives
Cost Leadership & Value Engineering
  • Drive significant cost savings and value creation through advanced analytics, should-cost modeling, and total cost of ownership (TCO) methodologies
  • Champion value engineering and demand management initiatives across manufacturing operations
  • Monitor commodity markets and economic trends to proactively manage cost and risk
Cross-Functional Influence
  • Partner with senior leaders in operations, engineering, R&D, and finance to align category strategies with business priorities
  • Lead procurement involvement in new product development (NPD) and capital projects
  • Act as a trusted advisor to stakeholders on sourcing decisions and supplier strategies
Risk Management & Compliance
  • Identify, assess, and mitigate supply chain risks (e.g., geopolitical, capacity, single-source dependencies)
  • Ensure adherence to company policies, regulatory requirements, and sustainability goals
  • Lead business continuity and contingency planning efforts
Team Leadership & Development
  • Mentor and develop Category Managers and procurement professionals
  • Lead cross-functional and global project teams
  • Drive a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement[

Basic Qualifications
  • Advanced strategic thinking and business acumen
  • Expert negotiation and contract management skills
  • Deep knowledge of manufacturing supply chains and operations
  • Strong financial and analytical expertise (cost modeling, TCO, market analysis)
  • Executive-level communication and stakeholder management
  • Leadership and team development capabilities
  • Ability to influence across a global, matrixed organization
  • Strong risk management and decision-making skills
Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
  • Annual cost savings and value creation
  • Supplier performance (quality, delivery, innovation)
Work Environment
  • Fast-paced manufacturing environment
  • High level of cross-functional interaction
  • Occasional interaction with suppliers and plant sites. 
  • Travel required (15%-20%) for supplier engagement and site visitsWork Environment

Preferred Qualifications
  • Experience with global sourcing and international supplier networks
  • Proficiency with ERP systems (e.g., SAP, Oracle) and advanced procurement tools
  • Certification such as CPSM, CIPS, or Six Sigma (Black Belt preferred)
  • Experience in digital procurement transformation initiatives
Education and Experience
  • Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Business, Engineering, or related field
  • MBA or advanced degree strongly preferred
  • 8–15+ years of progressive experience in procurement, category management, or strategic sourcing in a manufacturing environment
  • Proven experience managing large, complex spend categories (e.g., direct materials, capital equipment, logistics, raw materials)
  • Demonstrated success delivering significant cost savings and strategic value initiatives

Why Join Us
  • Comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, and vision insurance coverage.
  • Basic life insurance and short-term disability coverage provided by employer.
  • Supplemental life insurance and long-term disability coverage options available.
  • 401K with employer contribution.
  • Personal, Vacation, and Holiday paid time off for all full-time employees.

Our company is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE). All qualified candidates will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, or marital status in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws.

Skills Required

  • Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Business, Engineering, or related field
  • 8-15+ years progressive experience in procurement, category management, or strategic sourcing in manufacturing
  • Proven experience managing large, complex spend categories (direct materials, capital equipment, logistics, raw materials)
  • Expert negotiation and contract management skills
  • Deep knowledge of manufacturing supply chains and operations
  • Strong financial and analytical expertise (cost modeling, TCO, market analysis)
  • Executive-level communication and stakeholder management
  • Leadership and team development capabilities, experience mentoring category managers
  • Ability to influence across a global, matrixed organization
  • Travel up to 15%-20% for supplier engagement and site visits
  • MBA or advanced degree
  • Experience with global sourcing and international supplier networks
  • Proficiency with ERP systems (e.g., SAP, Oracle) and advanced procurement tools
  • Certifications such as CPSM, CIPS, or Six Sigma (Black Belt preferred)
  • Experience in digital procurement transformation initiatives
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The Company
HQ: Mount Pleasant, WI
292 Employees
Year Founded: 2018

What We Do

Foxconn Industrial Internet USA (Fii USA) is a global leading professional design and manufacturing service provider of communication network equipment, cloud service equipment, precision tools, and industrial robots. Our goal is to provide our customers with intelligent manufacturing services for new forms of electronic equipment products centered on the industrial internet platform. Our Vision: Fii USA is creating technology solutions in 5G, IoT, and Industrial AI to aid businesses in transforming to the Industry 4.0 environment. Our Philosophy: Fii USA will leverage its’ 30 years’ experience in contract manufacturing to develop technology solutions that will guide businesses on their Industry 4.0 journey. We are building industrial IoT ecosystems grounded solutions that utilize 5G communication technology, 8K imaging data, Industrial AI, and high-performance computing. Our solutions are easily implemented, modified, and scaled to enable participation in the modern connected landscape.

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