Category Manager

Company: Hearth & Home Technologies
Location: Lakeville
Posted on: June 23, 2022

Job Description:

Every professional wants to work for an industry leader. Now is your chance as a Category Manager at Hearth & Home Technologies in Lakeville, MN.
A career at Hearth & Home Technologies puts you in the position of working with the most popular brands in the industry, and having an impact on a product that people love. The hearth is the center of the home and family life.

The Category Manager will develop and execute the sourcing plan and manage the procurement process and inbound value chain of assigned domestic and foreign-sourced materials and other materials for HHT manufacturing and distribution locations. This position will manage the performance and lean management of suppliers.

Essential Functions:

• Develop and implement procurement category strategies for assigned materials and services including:
  • Identifying the total spend
  • Prioritizing the opportunities to leverage purchases
  • Negotiate and execute supplier agreements
  • Work with suppliers and buyers to support direct raw material flow plans
  • Drive purchases from internal manufacturing where appropriate
  • Identify and prove out best total cost solution for the categories assigned
  • Partner with current supply base and develop sourcing plans to fulfill quality, delivery, cost, and safety expectations.
  • Lead negotiations with suppliers to meet or exceed end-user requirements
  • Influence the business unit strategy and translate the business strategy to each category and align category strategies to programs and projects.
  • Lead supplier evaluation and selection for new product development projects.
  • Coordinate across corporate, functions, and divisions to share best practices and adherence to guidelines.
  • Able to assess the overall needs of select business units, set strategy, negotiate, and roll out the best total solution to meet the needs of the category.
  • Lead Strategic Sourcing Initiatives (SSI's) that span virtual teams across all HHT business units.
  • Influence and partner with plant purchasing function and business leaders to manage and align the category.
  • Closely collaborate with adjacent business departments to ensure adequate and timely delivery of agreed services, in line with agreed service levels.
  • Build and maintain strategic relationships with key category suppliers as well as counterparts at other companies.
  • Ensure optimal balance between value for money and cost savings is achieved, while ensuring quality and excellent customer service.
  • Continually research new opportunities to drive sales growth, value creations, cost reduction and cost avoidance.
  • Participate in supplier audits.
  • Other duties as assigned.Required Qualifications:
    • Good organizational skills, including program/project management and governance
    • Strong interdisciplinary, intercultural, influence and networking skills
    • Self-starter with strong skills in communication and relationship building
    • Proven ability to act independently to build consensus and drive change with little supervision
    • Experience with supplier and project management
    • Ability to develop actionable implementation plans
    • Relevant business process knowledge, as related to Procurement and Category Management
    • Strong influences and negotiations skills
      Skills and Abilities:
      • Foster a collaborative environment among stakeholders.
      • Build and maintain strong relationships across various functions.
      • Demonstrate the value-add of leveraging suppliers, promoting a global perspective, and building support for adoption of strategic plans.
      • Champion change and innovation. Stimulate creativity and innovation in others. Open to new ideas. Support those who initiate change and take risks.
      • Assist in defining category procurement strategy - align with overall strategy and be an enabler.
      • Strong analytic ability.
        
        Education & Experience:
        • Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience required, with an MBA preferred.
        • Professional Certifications are a plus including: Certified Professional in Supply Management (CPSM), Certified Purchasing Manager (CPM), Project Management Professional (PMP).
        • Ten to fifteen years durable consumer goods purchasing experience.
        • Experience leading cross functional teams without direct reports.

Keywords: Hearth & Home Technologies, Lakeville , Category Manager, Executive , Lakeville, Minnesota