Senior Category Manager

Senior Category Manager, Procurement (Direct Materials) Basic Function

The Senior Category Manager is a key leadership role within Tarkett North America’s Corporate Sourcing organization. This position develops and executes competitive category management and sourcing strategies across Tarkett’s North American operations.
The role owns Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) performance for critical direct material categories, including Resins, Chemicals, Backing Layers, Glass Veil, Recycled PVB, Distribution (with potential to expand based on business needs and candidate capabilities). The position is expected to deliver high-impact initiatives that improve operational performance, drive structural cost savings, and support Tarkett’s strategic objectives.
The Senior Category Manager partners with internal stakeholders and suppliers to improve value delivery through data-driven strategies, innovation, and risk mitigation. This individual leads each category through the end-to-end sourcing lifecycle—from strategy and sourcing through contracting, implementation, and supplier performance management.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and execute category strategies that optimize total cost, quality, supply assurance, and sustainability across assigned direct material categories.

• Lead the end-to-end category lifecycle using Tarkett’s strategic sourcing methodology (e.g., opportunity assessment, strategy, RFP/RFQ, negotiation, award, contracting, and implementation).

• Drive TCO improvements through market intelligence, should-cost/cost modeling, and competitive benchmarking.

• Lead cross-functional stakeholder teams to align category strategies with business priorities and secure timely decisions and buy-in.

• Negotiate complex supply agreements (pricing, service levels, risk terms) that deliver long-term value and reduce supply risk.

• Define, track, and communicate category KPIs (cost, quality, service, innovation, sustainability) and maintain supplier scorecards.

• Lead supplier business reviews and corrective action plans to ensure performance to contract and drive continuous improvement.

• Identify and implement sourcing and technical collaboration opportunities that enable value analysis/value engineering (VA/VE), sustainability improvements, and risk reduction.

• Monitor market conditions, cost drivers, and supplier capacity to anticipate raw material changes; develop and execute mitigation plans as needed.

• Build savings pipelines and benefits tracking (baseline, forecast, and realized), including lead time, delivery, and productivity improvements.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Supply Chain, Finance, Engineering, or a related field (MBA preferred).

• 5+ years of experience in strategic sourcing/category management, manufacturing, R&D, engineering, or a related function; direct materials experience strongly preferred.

• Demonstrated knowledge of TCO, cost modeling, and strategic sourcing best practices.

• Ability to travel up to 25%.

Preferred Qualifications

• Proven success leading cross-functional teams within a multi-plant or enterprise environment.

• Expertise in category management from strategy development through implementation and ongoing performance management.

• Strong business acumen with the ability to build fact-based business cases and influence senior stakeholders.

• Demonstrated strength in market analysis, cost modeling, and supplier negotiations.

• Knowledge of supply markets, cost drivers, and technology trends affecting direct materials.

• Strong project management skills with the ability to manage multiple initiatives concurrently.

• Skilled in drafting, negotiating, and administering supplier contracts.

• Excellent communication and presentation skills with the ability to influence at all levels of the organization.

• Highly analytical, results-oriented, and able to translate insights into measurable outcomes.

• Strategic thinking with strong financial and analytical skills (should-cost, cost drivers, and business case development).

• Influence and stakeholder management across Manufacturing, R&D, Quality, Finance, and Commercial teams.

• Negotiation, contracting, and supplier performance management; comfort with complex, multi-year agreements.

• Risk management mindset (continuity of supply, dual sourcing, and contingency planning).

• Continuous improvement orientation with a focus on standard work, measurable results, and clear communication.

What We Offer

• A commitment that Safety is #1

• Competitive benefits, pay, and retirement plan options!

• Career growth, stability, and flexible work arrangements.

Responsible Manufacturing – Protecting Our Planet for the Future

• We utilize renewable energy and a closed loop recycled water process.

• We are committed to reducing greenhouse emissions and water consumption.

• We are the only flooring company recognized by the Asthma and Allergy foundation.

Who we are:

With a history of more than 140 years, Tarkett is a worldwide leader in innovative and sustainable flooring and sport surface solutions, generating turnover of €3.3 billion in 2025. The Group has close to 12,000 employees, 25 R&D centers, 8 recycling centers and 33 production sites. Tarkett creates and manufactures solutions for hospitals, schools, housing, hotels, offices, stores and sports fields, serving customers in over 100 countries. To build “The Way to Better Floors,” the Group is committed to circular economy and sustainability, in line with its Tarkett Human‐Conscious Design® approach.

www.tarkett-group.com

Tarkett is an equal opportunity employer. We value diversity in backgrounds and in experiences and promote an inclusive workplace where all employees can perform at their best.