Sr. Category Manager

Company Overview

Sleep Number is a sleep wellness technology leader. For nearly four decades, we have placed sleep at the center of wellbeing, improving over 15 million lives with our Sleep Number smart beds. We are guided by our purpose – to improve the health and wellbeing of society through higher quality sleep. This is exemplified through our 4,000+ mission-driven team members who passionately innovate to drive value creation through our vertically integrated business model, owning the process from start to finish, including selling in our over 650 stores nationwide.

Our team members are encouraged to bring their whole selves to work, sharing their unique perspectives, backgrounds and skills with Sleep Number every day. Whether you are entering, returning or experienced in the workforce, we have a place for you. We hope you join us in creating the future through higher quality sleep.

Position Purpose:

The Senior Category Manager will be responsible for creating, owning, and maintaining a long term and short-term supply category strategy grounded in detailed market and supplier data analysis. In this position, you will be responsible for developing new key suppliers based on capabilities assessment and Sleep Number needs, balancing supplier and Sleep Number expectations. You will also provide insight into the business unit on how to best develop and leverage supplier capabilities for the organization.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Develop new key suppliers based on knowledge gathering from capabilities assessment and Sleep Number needs 
• Influence the business and translate business strategy from a supply chain and procurement perspective to ensure implementation of key projects impacting category strategy are completed successfully
• Drive Total Cost of Ownership reductions for category including optimization of supply network (Tier 2 and 3 suppliers), cost models, and implementation of category and supplier strategies. Proactively identify opportunities to drive efficiencies/process improvements, cost reductions and new business opportunities within categories and technologies.
• Provide insight to the business unit on how to best develop and leverage supplier capabilities for the organization(s).  
• Identify and elevate areas of highest risk within the category and lead multi-functional teams to develop actionable risk mitigation strategies. 
• Proactively identify opportunities to drive efficiencies/process improvements, cost reductions and new business opportunities within categories and technologies. 
• Work closely with key stakeholders with Engineering, R&D, Product, and Supply Chain to develop effective cost reduction strategies and network optimization.

Position Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience required 
• 10 + years combined experience within Procurement, Supply Chain management, technical experience in related category, and/or related buy/sell experience such as legal and sales. 
• Experience with business process knowledge and supplier management, as related to Procurement and Category Management. 

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Certified Professional in Supply Management (CPSM), Certified Purchasing Manager (CPM) or similar certification desirable.
• Excellent communication skills (written and verbal) including executive communication. 
• Excellent interdisciplinary, intercultural, and networking skills. 
• Extensive knowledge of bedding category and products including knowledge of markets by regions. 
• Strong influence and negotiating skills. 
• Ability to remain flexible and adjust to new demands and respond with a sense of urgency. 
• Ability to work well in a cross-functional, matrix management environment with a highly collaborative, team-oriented approach to problem solving. 
• Organized and efficient, results-oriented, and able to move forward without complete information, comfortable working in ambiguity. 

Working Conditions

Sleep Number offers a hybrid work environment providing the flexibility and balance of a blend of remote work and onsite collaboration in the office at Sleep Number's corporate Headquarters in Minneapolis, Minnesota. #PIQ

Wellbeing

Wellbeing is more than a catchphrase - it's a movement that permeates our company and through our team members. We are dedicated to enhancing and supporting the wellbeing of our team members and their families through benefits, programs, and resources across our five wellbeing pillars of emotional, financial, career, community, and physical health, with sleep at the center.

By joining our team, in addition to offering competitive pay programs, we are proud to offer eligible team members an extensive benefits package including, but not limited to medical and pharmacy benefits, dental, life and disability insurance, a matched 401(k) Plan, paid time off, and much more.

Safety

Safety is a top priority for Sleep Number supporting customers and team members wellbeing. COVID-19 Precaution(s) are in place consistent with CDC guidelines, U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Health & Safety Administration (OSHA), and state/local laws.

EEO Statement

Sleep Number is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to recruiting, hiring and promoting qualified people and prohibit discrimination based on race, color, marital status, religion, sex (including gender, gender identity, gender expression, transgender status, pregnancy, childbirth, and medical conditions related to pregnancy or childbirth), sexual orientation, age, national origin or ancestry, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, genetic information (including testing and characteristics), veteran status, uniformed servicemember status or any other status protected by federal, state, or local law.

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

It is Sleep Number’s policy to provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities during the application process, consistent with applicable law. We may require supporting medical or religious documentation where applicable and permissible by law. If you are a qualified individual, you may request a reasonable accommodation at any time during the selection process, including if you are unable or otherwise limited in your ability to access open roles here.