Procurement Category Manager

Reports To:

Sr. Vice President Operations and Supply Chain

Travel Required:

up to 25% Work Type:
Hybrid Position Overview

The Procurement Category Manager is responsible for leading the development and execution of category strategies across assigned commodities and services. This role will deploy category management best practices to optimize supplier performance, drive cost savings, support innovation, and ensure alignment with Community Coffee’s corporate initiatives and supply chain strategies. The Category Manager will work cross-functionally with sales, marketing, operations, and internal stakeholders, and manage critical supplier partnerships, including co-packers and indirect service providers.

• Develop and implement category strategies including market research, spend analysis, sourcing, contract management, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Manage supplier partnerships across co-packers, ingredients, components, and indirect goods and services.
• Identify, onboard, and manage new suppliers to support existing and new product lines, ensuring alignment with business needs.
• Oversee production, inventory, quality, and food safety performance for assigned co-pack products.
• Act as the primary liaison between suppliers and internal teams to ensure clear communication and issue resolution.
• Conduct regular supplier risk assessments and implement business continuity plans.
• Develop and manage annual supplier budgets in collaboration with finance.
• Troubleshoot production issues and drive process improvements for efficiency and performance.
• Lead strategic sourcing efforts to support business goals, including the preparation and execution of RFPs, supplier negotiations, and contract development.
• Conduct regular business reviews with strategic suppliers, including scorecard analysis, performance tracking, and new development initiatives.
• Ensure service levels are met and take prompt action when they are not.
• Collaborate with legal to draft, negotiate, and finalize supplier contracts.
• Monitor cost drivers and take proactive steps to reduce or mitigate rising costs.
• Create supplier market analyses to evaluate sourcing options and supplier capabilities.
• Partner with marketing to source new products and support innovation pipelines, including managing sample coordination and supplier evaluations.
• Provide mentorship, training, and development support for Sourcing Specialists.
• Maintain accurate SAP S/4
  
  HANA data, including material and vendor records, source lists, and info records.
• Track and report on key performance indicators (KPIs) monthly.
• Ensure standard operating procedures (SOPs) are in place, utilized effectively, and understood by relevant personnel.
• Support procurement operations with purchase order management, expediting, and discrepancy resolution as needed.
• May be asked to perform additional duties as necessary.

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Business Administration, or a related field preferred.
• 8 years of experience in procurement and/or category management, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• 3 years of direct category management experience preferred.
• Co-packing or co-manufacturing experience strongly preferred.
• Background in purchasing, logistics, supply chain management, or marketing.
• Experience with SAP S/4
  
  HANA and proficiency in Microsoft Office, particularly Excel.
• Valid driver’s license or government-issued .
• Professional certifications such as CPSM (Certified Professional in Supply Management), Project Management, or Lean Six Sigma are highly desirable.
• Internal Only:
  Experience with Community Coffee, even if unrelated, may fulfill this requirement at the discretion of the hiring manager with approval from Human Resources.