Category Leader, MRO

Kohler seeks a Category Leader, MRO to own sourcing strategy for maintenance, repair, and operations across our manufacturing network. You will analyze spend and supplier performance, lead RFx events, negotiate contracts, and drive cost, risk, and service optimization. Partnering with operations, maintenance, and engineering, you'll standardize MRO materials and services, support reliability and uptime, and advance sustainability goals. Join Kohler's culture of craftsmanship and innovation to shape a high-impact, global supply base and grow your career.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute MRO category strategies to support manufacturing operations
• Analyze spend, demand, and market trends to identify savings and value opportunities
• Select, negotiate, and manage key MRO suppliers and contracts
• Drive standardization of MRO parts, services, and processes across plants
• Partner with operations, maintenance, and engineering to align sourcing with plant needs
• Monitor supplier performance and implement corrective actions and continuous improvement
• Lead RFx events and total cost of ownership evaluations
• Collaborate with finance to build cost models and track savings performance
• Ensure compliance with corporate sourcing policies and sustainability goals
• Report category performance, risks, and opportunities to leadership

Required Skills

• Category management
• Strategic sourcing
• MRO procurement
• Contract negotiation
• Supplier relationship management
• Cost modeling and TCO analysis
• Data analytics and Excel
• RFx management
• Manufacturing operations knowledge
• ERP/procurement systems (e.g., SAP, Ariba)