Job Information
Latham, The Pool Company Category Manager in Latham, New York
The Category Manager will be responsible for indirect strategic sourcing of goods and services for the company and the end-to-end process from source to contract for a variety of categories. This role leads the development and execution of strategic procurement plans in indirect categories by clearly understanding the spend and supplier/stakeholder landscape while leveraging market intelligence, industry knowledge and cross functional collaboration. The role will build strong internal and external relationships to support business objectives, while driving supply chain optimization, risk mitigation, productivity and supplier development.
Duties and Responsibilities:
Develop, communicate and execute strategic procurement plans for various indirect categories including but not limited to: MRO, Services, Facilities, Energy, and functional areas.
Manage functional procurement requirements by actively engaging in areas such as operations, capital investments, services, IT and marketing.
Successfully plan and lead supplier negotiations to meet business requirements that provide the most value to Latham. Consider elements such as assurance of supply, total cost of ownership, entitlement, quality, service, innovation, ease of internal buying.
Develop business processes to drive improved spend under management. Drive indirect processes and spend control in the plants and functions.
Prepare, lead supplier selections and review contracts, bids, proposals, and vendor agreements for legal correctness, price, and acceptability of items to specifications. Proactively manage commercial accounts and identify areas of improvement for costs, quality, and service.
Improve contract coverage and help support integration efforts.
Analyze market conditions to determine present and future price direction, availability of goods & services and reports analysis. Communicate to key internal stakeholders and utilize for future strategy development.
Build and maintain external supplier and vendor relationships, as well as internal relationships with key stakeholders and internal customers to better understand their sourcing requirements.
Maintain item purchase price database, updating costs in conjunction with Finance including item maintenance within computer system to ensure correct purchase pricing is loaded for Buyer/Planners
Facilitate, manage, organize and communicate on major quality/supply/service problems and act as the lead liaison with the Vendor or supplier until quality issue is corrected
Organize, administrate and report on the testing of potential new items/Vendors of existing items through the utilization of company processes. Approves new item additions to our software, via ECO/ECN process
Report on purchasing related activities such as cost savings, rebates, vendor evaluations, inflation/deflation.
Perform supplier and vendor risk management strategics and ensure supplier continuity.
Improve working capital through payment terms, cycle optimization, vendor managed inventories, inventory and lead time reductions.
Qualifications:
Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent experience required, Purchasing certification through recognized organizations (i.e. CPSM, CIP, CPP,SCMP) a plus, MBA preferred.
Five years minimum purchasing experience, commodity (indirect) ownership, supplier development, strategic planning, purchasing activities
Experience with ERP/MRP and supply chain processes.
Skilled negotiator and familiar with e-auctions, indirect supplier platforms
Great interpersonal skills, ability to communicate with all levels of the organization and external parties
Analytical skills: experience analyzing data, preparing and presenting reports
Strong project leadership skills driving procurement strategies
Industry and manufacturing experience
Experience interpreting, negotiating, and modifying documents such as contracts, quotations & agreements
Excellent written and verbal communication skills; organized, analytical and detail oriented
Excellent computer skills; intermediate to advanced levels in Microsoft Office
Ability to work independently and make sound decisions in a challenging/dynamic environment
Some travel required
Salary Range for this position is $80,000-$90,000