Category Manager

The Category Manager is responsible for developing and executing commodity and supply chain strategies to maximize value, leverage, and standardization across assigned Infrastructure Solutions commodities. Cost reduction is achieved through strategic sourcing activities, including supplier selection and rationalization, negotiation strategies, and management of terms and conditions, as well as evaluating and implementing supply chain solutions such as supplier managed inventory, consignment, and optimized safety stock levels.

Total cost of ownership should cost modeling, benchmarking, and low-cost country sourcing strategies are used to deliver material savings aligned with business and profit objectives.

• Drive price negotiations processes to ensure that Vertiv’s commodity pricing are best in class.
• Address all areas of category management including category business plans, global market and pricing analysis and procurement support.
• Monitor current category market conditions, technology roadmaps and identify supply/demand challenges & opportunities.
• Analyze current category spend and evaluate current suppliers. Consolidate category spend across supply base to create leverage, analyze purchasing trends and develop sourcing alternatives. Identify new high potential suppliers on global basis.
• Develop key performance measures for chosen suppliers and negotiate on multiple variables to award longer-term strategic contracts that result in significant cost reduction and improved service levels.
• Lead the vendor selection process with engineering teams.
• Evaluate supplier business proposals and present recommendations that will result in cost savings, avoidance or containment.
• Develop sourcing and negotiation strategies that deliver against business objectives and achieve sustainable relationships with suppliers.
• Create competitive environments with suppliers to support a negotiation strategy.
• Evaluate and provide guidance on final selection of suppliers;
  Perform value analysis for final selection of suppliers.
• Evaluate supplier core competencies and competitive positioning using industry cost models.
• Deliver specific productivity and cash flow targets in alignment with overarching goals and objectives, with a focus on Total Cost of Ownership
• Ability to multi-task, prioritize and work in an extremely fast-paced environment.

• Bachelor’s degree in Purchasing, Supply Chain, Production/Operations Management, or Engineering or equivalent business experience.
• NAPM (A.P.P. C.P.M.) or APICS (CPIM, CIRM) certification preferred
• 5+ years of progressive experience in Purchasing & Sourcing with extensive experience in the manufacturing industry, preferably in a strategic setting in a mid to large size organization.
• Expertise with structural, mechanical, and electrical items and equipment is a plus.
• Solid track record meeting substantial material cost reduction targets
• Excellent coordination and negotiation skills with supplier and across cross-functional teams.
• Strong analytical abilities with familiarity in Power BI and ERP systems (SAP, Oracle, or equivalent.)
• Proficient in advanced Excel and data analysis.

• N/A

• 15%

OUR CORE PRINCIPALS: Safety.

Integrity. Respect. Teamwork.

Diversity & Inclusion.

OUR STRATEGIC PRIORITIES

• Customer Focus
• Operational Excellence
• High
  - Culture

OUR BEHAVIORS

• Own It
• Act With Urgency
• Foster a Customer-First Mindset
• Think Big and Execute
• Lead by Example
• Learn and Seek Out Development
• Promote Transparent and Open Communication

At Vertiv, we’re on a mission to empower the people that will power the future. From a simple swipe to life-changing medicines, from push notifications to generative AI. We design, manufacture, and service the products and solutions that keep the world connected. With $6.9 billion in revenue, a strong customer base and global reach spanning nearly 70 countries, we are uniquely positioned to deliver greater value to our customers and create new opportunities for our people.

Vertiv is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. We promote equal opportunities for all with respect to hiring, terms of employment,…