Procurement Category Manager - North America in Chicago

Procurement Category Manager - North America

A leading industrial organization is seeking a strategic and results‑driven Regional Category Manager to lead procurement operations and category strategy execution across a large‑scale North American manufacturing network.

This high‑impact leadership role will oversee regional procurement initiatives, supplier relationships, category management, cost optimization efforts, and operational sourcing strategies while managing significant spend across MRO, equipment, consumables, and related categories.

The ideal candidate will bring strong procurement leadership experience within manufacturing, construction materials, heavy industrial, or related environments, along with demonstrated success driving cost savings, supplier performance, and operational efficiencies across complex supply chains.

• Lead implementation of regional category strategies aligned with enterprise procurement objectives
• Manage operational and tactical sourcing activities for multiple goods and services categories
• Drive cost savings, supplier performance improvements, and procurement process optimization initiatives
• Identify and execute strategic sourcing opportunities across regional operations
• Negotiate pricing, contracts, freight terms, and supplier agreements to achieve lowest total delivered cost
• Manage procurement spend across equipment, consumables, MRO, and operational categories

• Serve as the key liaison between category management teams and operational leadership
• Develop and maintain strong supplier partnerships while ensuring performance, quality, and service expectations are achieved
• Support plant, regional, and business leadership with procurement strategy and sourcing recommendations
• Monitor market conditions, commodity trends, and supplier risks impacting purchasing decisions

• Lead and develop Procurement Managers, Buyers, and Warehouse teams
• Collaborate cross‑functionally with operations, manufacturing, finance, and supply chain leadership
• Support continuous improvement initiatives across procurement and supply chain operations
• Promote a strong culture of safety, compliance, and operational excellence

• 10+ years of progressive procurement, category management, sourcing, or supply chain leadership experience
• Strong experience within manufacturing, industrial, construction materials, or related industries
• Proven experience managing large‑scale procurement spend (over $250 MM) and supplier negotiations
• Direct experience supporting categories including:
• MRO
• Heavy Industrial Equipment
• Consumables – conveyor belts, motors, bearings, etc.
• Operational procurement
• Strong background in strategic sourcing, supplier management, and procurement operations

• Bachelor’s degree required
• Advanced degree or MBA
• Fields of study include:
• Supply Chain
• Business
• Engineering
• Economics

• Strategic sourcing and category management
• Spend analytics and cost optimization
• Supplier relationship management
• Contract negotiation and commercial management
• Supply chain operations and procurement process improvement
• Strong analytical and communication skills

• High‑visibility role supporting senior operational leadership across the organization
• Opportunity to influence regional procurement strategy and operational performance
• Travel required