Category Manager

Category Manager – Gerdau North America

Marietta, GA | Salary: $–$ | Full-time | Mid‑Senior level

Basic Function
The primary function of this position is to coordinate and manage the strategic procurement process for assigned categories to ensure the cost‑effective acquisition of goods and services for Gerdau North America. Activities include development and execution of procurement strategies, bid process and negotiations, team‑based supplier selection and development, and contract management. The incumbent incorporates sustainability principles in sourcing parameters and supplier management to promote sustainable development.

The role ensures suppliers adhere to Gerdau’s Sustainability Policy and Code of Ethics for Third Parties.

• Annual Spend Responsibility: $50 M to $100 M
• Number of locations: 20 Steel Mills
• Supervisory Responsibility:
  No direct reports

Nature And Scope
This job reports directly to the Manager, Commodities and Service Corp for the assigned area of responsibility (i.e. Production Materials, MRO, Services, or CAPEX).

Qualifications
Four‑year degree in Engineering or Business Administration combined with 3‑5 years of procurement experience in an industrial or manufacturing environment. Experience in project management, strategic planning, performance management, contract negotiations, and cross‑functional teamwork is required. Global sourcing initiatives, leading cross‑functional teams, SAP experience preferred. Working knowledge of contemporary procurement process and strong interpersonal, communication, analytical, and computer skills (MS Office Suite) required.

Professional certification in Procurement or Supply Chain Management preferred.

Principal Accountabilities

• Lead the development of procurement strategies for assigned categories at all levels (global, national, & regional), ensuring cost‑effective results and ethical procurement practices.
• Analyze category market attributes such as number of suppliers, competitiveness, logistics, technology, criticality, and market complexity.
• Engage internal customers to fully understand the impact of each category to the operation.
• Utilize market and business intelligence to effectively develop procurement strategies.
• Continuously gather and maintain pertinent key supplier and market intelligence for assigned categories, including financial performance, business activities, negotiation history, cost drivers, and supplier performance.
• Negotiate, develop, and manage supply agreements for assigned categories.
• Lead the development of Requests for Quotations and Requests for Proposals.
• Effectively manage the competitive bid process and analyze bids to develop negotiation strategies.
• Ensure that contracts are accurately initiated and maintained in SAP, including key information such as price, lead time, and incoterms.
• Execute supplier performance evaluation and development processes with key stakeholders.
• Monitor supplier performance and engage stakeholders to develop improvement actions.
• Periodically meet with suppliers to develop actions to improve supplier performance and/or capabilities.
• Identify, plan, and execute continuous improvement opportunities to decrease total cost of ownership.
• Facilitate engagement of suppliers in action plans to improve total cost of ownership.
• Attend routine meetings with key stakeholders to stay engaged with business activities.
• Carry out company policies regarding procurement practices, standards, and ethical conduct to ensure a fair, effective, and competitive sourcing process.
• Assist with development of policies and procedures regarding service delivery model and the strategic procurement process, and train procurement staff and non‑procurement personnel.
• Under the direction of senior procurement personnel, work with local and regional procurement and operations personnel to implement inventory policies for assigned categories.

Seniority level:
Mid‑Senior level

Employment type:

Full‑time
Job function:
Marketing and Sales (Manufacturing)

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