Job Title:
Category Manager – Subcontracting (Outsourced Manufacturing)
Location:
Multiple Locations (Hybrid – Office and Remote Work)
Magnolia, AK – Industry, CA – Saint Augustine, FL – Rosemont, IL – Connersville or Elkhart, IN – Delhi, LA – Monett, MO – Sidney, OH – The Dalles, OR – Lancaster County – Mountain Top or Pittsburgh, PA – Yankton, SD – Spanish Fork, UT
Industry:
Manufacturing & Production
Job Category:
Engineering – Industrial / Manufacturing
Job Summary:
The Category Manager – Subcontracting (Outsourced Manufacturing) is responsible for overseeing procurement activities for external vendors providing surface treatment (anodizing, coating) and fabrication services. This position plays a key role within the central procurement team, working closely with internal stakeholders such as supply chain, operations, finance, and sales, as well as business unit and plant procurement teams. The role will have a primary focus on North America while collaborating with teams across multiple business units.
Required Qualifications:
Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Finance, Engineering, or a related field.
Minimum of 5 years of experience in procurement, strategic sourcing, category management, supply chain, or plant operations (10+ years preferred).
Experience managing subcontracting (outsourced manufacturing) categories.
Strong project management skills with the ability to lead and participate in cross-functional teams.
Proven ability to develop strategic approaches to spend categories and supply bases.
Ability to travel up to 30% as required.
Preferred Qualifications:
High proficiency in Microsoft Office and video conferencing tools.
Experience with Should-Cost Modeling, Total Cost of Ownership, and ROI analysis.
Strong analytical skills, including expertise in creating and managing complex spreadsheets.
Experience with business operating systems such as Oracle or SAP.
Certification(s) such as CPSM, CPSD, or C.P.M. preferred.
Job Responsibilities:
Category Strategy Development and Implementation
Define category strategies using supply market intelligence, vendor knowledge, and procurement best practices.
Lead procurement category deployment and supplier management to align with business strategies and minimize total cost of ownership (TCO).
Prioritize internal production capacity before considering external suppliers, ensuring optimal plant utilization.
Collaborate with stakeholders across procurement, supply chain, operations, finance, and sales to drive cost reduction strategies while ensuring vendor compliance with capacity, service levels, and safety requirements.
Monitor and enforce compliance with category strategies, taking corrective actions as necessary.
Supplier Relationship Management
Lead strategic sourcing initiatives to establish competitive sourcing environments.
Conduct fact-based negotiations based on supplier and industry analysis, benchmarks, and cost structures.
Establish long-term contractual agreements with strong commercial and legal terms.
Implement supplier performance management through Quarterly Business Reviews (QBRs) and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs).
Develop tools to support plant procurement teams in negotiating with local subcontracting vendors.
Cost Optimization and Process Improvements
Act as a leader in managing total cost of ownership (TCO) within the category.
Identify and lead initiatives related to specification, demand, and process improvements.
Continuously assess internal production versus external sourcing opportunities to optimize cost and capacity.
Measure and track category performance to identify opportunities for further efficiencies.
Compensation & Benefits:
Base Salary: $140,000 – $150,000 USD
Relocation Assistance: Possible for ideal candidate
Bonus Eligible: No
Overtime Eligible: No
Travel Reimbursement: Yes
Full Benefits Package
Ideal Candidate Profile:
Not a traditional buyer role; requires expertise in outsourced manufacturing and supplier engagement.
Strong analytical mindset with experience in change management.
Ability to develop and execute supplier strategies while optimizing costs.
Travel up to 30% required.
This organization is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace and encourages applications from all qualified candidates.