Category Lead

About the Position

We are seeking a Category Lead to develop and execute sourcing strategies that deliver cost savings, supply continuity, quality, and innovation across assigned categories. This role partners cross-functionally with sales, engineering, operations, finance, and quality teams to manage supplier relationships, negotiate contracts, and ensure procurement activities align with broader business objectives.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement category sourcing strategies aligned with company goals, market dynamics, and total cost of ownership analysis.
• Lead supplier identification, qualification, RFx processes (RFI, RFP, RFQ), and award decisions for assigned categories.
• Negotiate pricing, terms, service-level agreements, and master purchase agreements with current and prospective suppliers.
• Build and maintain strategic supplier relationships, including conducting business reviews, performance scorecards, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Analyze spend data, market trends, commodity indices, and supplier financials to identify cost reduction, consolidation, and risk-mitigation opportunities.
• Manage supplier risk, including supply continuity planning, dual-sourcing strategies, geopolitical exposure, and compliance monitoring.
• Partner with engineering and product teams on new product introduction (NPI), early supplier involvement, and value engineering opportunities.
• Track and report savings, KPIs, and category performance to leadership.
• Resolve supplier disputes, quality issues, delivery escalations, and contract compliance matters.
• Stay current on market intelligence, industry benchmarks, and emerging sourcing technologies.
• Travel 20% of the time for Supplier meetings, Customer sites, or industry conferences.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Business, Engineering, Finance, or a related field.
• 5+ years of progressive procurement, sourcing, or category management experience.
• Demonstrated success leading strategic sourcing events and complex contract negotiations.
• Strong analytical skills with proficiency in Excel, ERP systems (M1 or similar), and e-sourcing tools.
• Solid understanding of contract law fundamentals, INCOTERMS, and procurement compliance.
• Experience in sourcing electrical components including breakers, meters, Kirk Keys, etc.
• Excellent communication, influencing, and stakeholder management skills.

Nice to Have

• Masters degree in Supply Chain, Operations, Industrial Engineering, Business, or a related field (equivalent experience considered).
• Professional certification such as CPSM, CIPS, or CPM.
• Familiarity with setting up Kanbans, consignment, safety stock, VMI, etc.

Core Competencies

• Strategic thinking and business acumen
• Negotiation and persuasion
• Data-driven decision-making
• Cross-functional collaboration
• Risk management and problem-solving
• Ownership and accountability

About the Company

[Company description if present]