Category Manager - Technical Procurement

Job Description:\n\n Job Title: Procurement Technical Category Manager Department: Supply Chain / Procurement Reports To: VP of Procurement Direct Reports: None FLSA Status: Exempt Employment Type: Full-Time Work Location: Lexington / Dunnville Hybrid Position Summary The Procurement Technical Category Manager leads strategic sourcing activities that support New Product Integration (NPI) and drives Value Analysis / Value Engineering (VA/VE) initiatives to optimize cost, quality, manufacturability, and supply continuity. Partnering closely with Engineering, Operations, Quality, Finance, and Plant Leadership, this role influences supplier selection, manufacturing processes, product design, and sourcing strategies early in product development to enable successful product launches and continuous cost improvement. Combining strategic category management expertise with technical knowledge of manufacturing processes for both new and existing products, the Procurement Technical Category Manager identifies opportunities to reduce total cost throughout the product lifecycle while maintaining quality, performance, and customer requirements. Key Responsibilities Essential Functions & Responsibilities Responsibility % of Time Lead technical category management​ 20% Support New Product Integration (NPI) and New Product Development (NPD). 20% Lead Value Analysis / Value Engineering (VA/VE) and cost reduction initiatives. 20% Evaluate supplier capabilities, costs, technology, and manufacturing processes. 15% Lead supplier negotiations, sourcing events, and supplier development activities. 10% Conduct cost modeling, market analysis, and sourcing risk assessments. 10% Support continuous improvement and product lifecycle cost optimization. 5% Category Management Analyze spend, market trends, country of origin, supplier capabilities, capacity, and industry risks to identify cost-saving opportunities.Support and execute global category strategies aligned with business objectives.Develop sourcing strategies based on cost, quality, delivery, capacity, technology, and supply risk.Build and maintain strategic supplier relationships focused on quality, cost competitiveness, innovation, and delivery performance.Support supplier selection, RFQs, negotiations, and supplier rationalization initiatives.Monitor market conditions and supplier cost structures.Identify opportunities for supplier consolidation, standardization, and cost optimization. New Product Integration (NPI) Serve as the Procurement representative during New Product Introduction programs.Partner with Engineering to identify and qualify suppliers early in the product development process.Evaluate supplier manufacturing capabilities, technical competencies, capacity, quality systems, and scalability.Ensure sourcing decisions support product launch timelines, quality objectives, and cost targets.Participate in design reviews and product development meetings.Drive Design for Manufacturability (DFM) and Design for Cost (DFC) initiatives.Establish sourcing milestones and ensure procurement activities remain aligned with project schedules.Identify potential supply risks early in the development process and develop mitigation strategies.Support prototype, pilot, and production sourcing activities. Value Analysis / Value Engineering (VA/VE) Lead cross-functional cost reduction initiatives involving Procurement, Engineering, Operations, Quality, and suppliers.Identify opportunities for: Material substitutionsProcess improvementsDesign simplificationSupplier innovationMake-versus-buy optimizationDomestic versus global sourcingStandardizationDesign to Value (DTV)Manufacturing process optimizationComponent consolidation Quantify and deliver measurable cost savings while maintaining product quality and performance.Develop cost models and should-cost analyses.Participate in design reviews to identify cost opportunities before production.Evaluate the financial and operational impact of proposed engineering changes.Track VA/VE projects through implementation and validate realized savings with Finance. Supplier Development Identify strategic suppliers capable of supporting future technologies, products, and business growth.Support supplier capability assessments and technical evaluations.Evaluate supplier manufacturing processes, capacity, quality systems, technology, and scalability.Support supplier development initiatives to improve: QualityDeliveryProductivityCostCapacityInnovation Partner with Quality and Engineering to resolve supplier technical issues.Establish supplier performance expectations and improvement plans.Develop strategic supplier partnerships that support long-term product and business objectives. Cost Modeling & Analysis Develop and maintain supplier cost models.Analyze raw material, labor, overhead, tooling, freight, and other cost components.Conduct should-cost and total-cost-of-ownership analysis.Evaluate supplier quotes against market and manufacturing benchmarks.Identify cost drivers and opportunities for improvement.Provide financial analysis to support sourcing recommendations.Partner with Finance to validate cost savings and cost avoidance. Sourcing & Negotiation Lead RFQ, RFP, and competitive sourcing events for assigned technical categories.Develop sourcing strategies and supplier evaluation criteria.Negotiate pricing, payment terms, tooling, lead times, quality requirements, and commercial agreements.Evaluate supplier proposals based on total cost, quality, capability, capacity, risk, and strategic fit.Develop sourcing recommendations for leadership approval.Support contract development and commercial negotiations. Supply Risk & Continuity Identify supply chain risks related to supplier capacity, geographic concentration, country of origin, raw materials, geopolitical conditions, and financial stability.Develop sourcing risk mitigation strategies.Identify alternate suppliers and sources when appropriate.Support dual-source and multi-source strategies for critical components.Monitor supplier capacity and ability to support future product demand.Partner with Supply Chain and Operations to protect production continuity. Cross-Functional Collaboration The Procurement Technical Category Manager works closely with: EngineeringProduct DevelopmentOperationsPlant LeadershipQualitySupply ChainFinanceManufacturingMaintenanceLogisticsSales / Commercial TeamsSuppliers and External Partners Key Performance Indicators (KPI) The Procurement Technical Category Manager is accountable for: Financial Annual Cost SavingsCost AvoidanceVA/VE SavingsDesign-to-Cost SavingsPurchase Price VarianceTotal Cost of Ownership Reduction NPI On-Time Sourcing MilestonesSupplier ReadinessNPI Launch PerformancePrototype / Production Supplier ReadinessNPI Cost Target Achievement Supplier Supplier QualitySupplier On-Time DeliverySupplier CapacitySupplier InnovationSupplier Performance Improvement Supply Risk Supply ContinuityRisk Mitigation ActionsAlternate Source DevelopmentSupplier Concentration Reduction Decision Making Authority Authorized to Independently: Develop sourcing strategies for assigned categories.Conduct supplier research and capability assessments.Lead RFQ/RFP processes.Develop cost models and should-cost analyses.Recommend suppliers based on established sourcing criteria.Identify VA/VE and cost reduction opportunities.Lead supplier negotiations within established authority.Recommend technical sourcing alternatives.Identify supply chain risks and recommend mitigation strategies.Lead cross-functional sourcing projects. Requires Procurement Leadership Approval: Final supplier selection for significant strategic categories.Contracts exceeding established approval thresholds.Significant pricing or commercial commitments.Major make-versus-buy decisions.Significant changes to product specifications.Supplier changes that could materially affect quality, capacity, or production.Capital investments associated with supplier sourcing.Major global sourcing decisions. Required Qualifications (Include Education, Experience, Certifications) Experience Minimum 5 years of experience in Strategic Sourcing, Engineering, Category Management, or Technical Procurement within a manufacturing environment.Experience supporting New Product Introduction (NPI) or New Product Development (NPD) programs.Strong knowledge of manufacturing processes.Experience with supplier negotiations and strategic sourcing initiatives.Experience developing and executing category strategies.Strong understanding of supplier cost structures and manufacturing economics.Proven success leading VA/VE or cost reduction initiatives.Ability to interpret engineering drawings, specifications, and manufacturing documentation.Strong analytical, negotiation, and project management skills. Education Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Procurement, Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Business Administration, or a related field required. Preferred Qualifications Engineering degree or significant technical manufacturing background.Lean Manufacturing or Continuous Improvement experience.Six Sigma experience.Experience with ERP systems such as SAP, Oracle, Epicor, Microsoft Dynamics, or equivalent.Knowledge of global sourcing and international supplier management.Experience with international supplier negotiations.Experience with advanced cost modeling or should-cost tools. Knowledge, Skills & Abilities (KSA’s) Knowledge Comprehensive knowledge of: Strategic sourcingTechnical procurementCategory managementNew Product Introduction (NPI)New Product Development (NPD)Value Analysis / Value EngineeringDesign for Manufacturability (DFM)Design for Cost (DFC)Design to Value (DTV)Cost modelingShould-cost analysisSupplier developmentContract negotiationManufacturing economicsGlobal sourcingSupply chain risk management Strong knowledge of manufacturing processes including: MachiningMetal stampingForgingCastingPlastic moldingMetal fabricationWeldingAssemblyFinishing processes Skills Demonstrated ability to: Analyze supplier cost structures and manufacturing economics.Develop strategic category strategies.Lead technical sourcing projects.Conduct supplier negotiations.Develop cost models and should-cost analyses.Identify and implement VA/VE opportunities.Interpret engineering drawings and specifications.Evaluate supplier manufacturing capabilities.Manage complex cross-functional projects.Influence Engineering, Operations, Quality, and supplier stakeholders.Communicate technical and financial concepts effectively.Manage multiple projects and competing priorities. Abilities Ability to: Translate engineering and technical requirements into sourcing strategies.Understand complex manufacturing processes and cost drivers.Influence product design decisions through procurement expertise.Balance cost, quality, manufacturability, delivery, and supply risk.Make data-driven sourcing recommendations.Build strong relationships with engineers, suppliers, plant leaders, and executives.Work effectively in a fast-paced product development environment.Travel to supplier and company locations as required.Lead projects without direct authority. Core Competencies Technical ProcurementStrategic SourcingCategory ManagementValue Analysis / Value EngineeringCost ModelingSupplier NegotiationNew Product IntegrationEngineering CollaborationDesign for ManufacturabilityDesign for CostSupplier DevelopmentProject ManagementSupply Chain Risk Management Work Environment This position is primarily office-based within a manufacturing environment but requires regular interaction with Engineering, Operations, Quality, Plant Leadership, and suppliers. The Procurement Technical Category Manager will spend time in manufacturing and engineering environments reviewing processes, evaluating supplier capabilities, and supporting product development activities. Travel to supplier locations, manufacturing facilities, trade events, and other business locations may be required. Physical Requirements The employee is regularly required to: Sit for extended periods while performing computer-based work.Stand and walk through manufacturing environments.Occasionally lift up to 20 pounds.Travel to supplier and company locations.Wear required PPE when entering manufacturing and production areas. Success Measures Success in this position will be measured by: Achievement of annual cost savings targets.Successful support of new product launches.Achievement of NPI sourcing milestones.Supplier quality and delivery performance.Supplier innovation and VA/VE contributions.Supply continuity and risk mitigation.On-time completion of sourcing milestones.Achievement of product cost targets.Cross-functional stakeholder satisfaction.Successful implementation of cost reduction initiatives. Success Profile A successful Procurement Technical Category Manager: Brings together technical manufacturing knowledge and strategic procurement expertise.Gets involved early in product development and influences design decisions before costs are locked in.Thinks beyond purchase price to understand the complete cost of materials, processes, suppliers, logistics, and product design.Builds strong partnerships with Engineering, Operations, Quality, and suppliers.Challenges existing designs and sourcing strategies constructively to identify better, more cost-effective solutions.Uses data, cost modeling, and manufacturing knowledge to drive measurable results.Balances cost reduction with quality, manufacturability, delivery, innovation, and supply continuity.Drives sustainable cost improvement throughout the entire product lifecycle. ADA Compliance Statement: The physical demands and work environment characteristics described herein are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and applicable state and local law, reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position. Employees who require an accommodation should contact Human Resources. EEO Statement The Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants and employees receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, pregnancy, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran or military status, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruitment, hiring, placement, promotion, transfer, compensation, benefits, training, discipline, and termination. The Company also prohibits harassment and retaliation of any kind.