Category Lead

Your role will mainly involve managing and optimizing key product and service categories to ensure cost efficiency, supplier performance, and overall profitability. This includes strategic planning, supplier negotiations, market intelligence analysis, and collaboration with cross-functional teams to implement category strategies effectively. Key Responsibilities: - Develop and execute category strategies to enhance profitability, mitigate risks, and drive cost savings. - Analyze market trends, competitor activities, and supplier performance to identify growth opportunities. - Lead supplier negotiations on pricing, terms, and service level agreements, leveraging insights from total cost of ownership (TCO) analysis. - Monitor category spend, supplier base, savings initiatives, and pricing mechanisms. - Collaborate with Finance, Operations, Engineering, and Project Management teams to align category strategies with business goals. - Manage supplier relationships comprehensively, including performance evaluation, risk management, dispute resolution, and development initiatives. - Drive change and transformation initiatives to enhance category performance and business outcomes. - Provide data-driven insights and recommendations to support business decision-making. Qualifications Required: - Bachelor's degree in supply chain, Business, or a related field. - Minimum 5 years of experience in category management, procurement, or consulting. - Demonstrated success in delivering cost savings, TCO management, and transformational change. - Proficiency in procurement platforms like Ariba or Coupa and Microsoft Office Suite. - Strong analytical, negotiation, and communication skills. - Ability to prioritize tasks, manage competing demands, and thrive in a collaborative environment. - High integrity, accountability, and problem-solving abilities. Additional Company Details: At Koch, employees are encouraged to excel in their roles to improve lives. The company values diversity and supports Military Ready and Second Chance employers. Employees are empowered to unleash their potential while creating value for themselves and the organization.,