Category Manager

Summary:

The Category Manager, Mechanical Insulation reports to the Senior Director, Supply Chain, and will lead all aspects of category strategy, supplier management, and cost performance for our mechanical insulation portfolio. This role will work cross-functionally to drive best-in-class sourcing practices and margin expansion.

Areas of responsibilities may include but are not limited to:

• Category & Sourcing Strategy: Develop and implement comprehensive sourcing strategies for mechanical insulation products that align with SPI’s business objectives for cost, quality, availability, and innovation
• Cost & Margin Management: Own and deliver y-o-y cost improvement initiatives and gross margin targets. Partner with SPI branches, finance, and pricing teams to drive decisions based on landed cost analysis, pricing trends, and margin performance.
• Supplier Management: Build and manage strategic supplier partnerships to ensure continuity of supply and cost competitiveness. You will negotiate annual agreements and conduct supplier evaluations. 
• Cross-Functional Support: Provide two-way communications between the supply chain organization and branch, district, and regional leaders on market updates, supply disruptions, price changes, and vendor issues.
• Contract Management: You will negotiate annual agreements with our top vendors. 
• Risk Management: Identify, communicate, and mitigate risks related to supply and cost. 

Education, Skills, Experience, and Knowledge

• Bachelor’s degree or combined education/experience equivalent. 
• 10+ years of experience in procurement, sourcing, or commodity/category management within industrial distribution, construction materials, or mechanical insulation.
• Strong analytical skills and ability to drill down into the details is required.
• You’re a team player with strong negotiating and people management skills.
• Great communicator who can effectively interact with people at all levels in a business. 
• Willingness to challenge current processes and create new methods of operating. 
• Effective at prioritizing objectives while working efficiently through task. 
• Strategic thinker who can anticipate long term needs while managing day-to-day task. 

Work Environment

Office, Warehouse & Manufacturing Environments

Physical demands may include but are not limited to:

Moderate walking, standing, and/or climbing; light lifting and carrying, stooping, bending, kneeling, and reaching. Must be able to lift a minimum of 30 lbs. 

Travel

Approximately 20-30%

Exemption Status

Exempt