Category Manager - Supply Chain

* Must be located near Green Bay, WI - hybrid work model only*

* Must have 2 years experience in Category & Sourcing in a Supply Chain setting*

* Must be legally authorized to work in the Unites States, no sponsor ships of any kind*

Category Manager (Supply Chain)

The Category Manager is part of the Strategic Sourcing team and is responsible for developing category management strategies aligned with Nature’s Way’s business requirements and objectives, executing these strategies to support the organization’s long‑term goals and short‑term business plans.

• Develop sourcing strategies and execute supplier negotiation strategies.
• Identify and develop strategic partners that will provide Nature’s Way with additional resources, innovation, and a competitive edge.
• Develop & execute category management strategies, based on organizational requirements to align with current & future market conditions to provide top‑line value, improvement to the total cost of ownership model, decrease supply disruption risk, and improve supply chain agility.
• Present category management strategies to department and senior leadership. Develop and build effective working relationships to foster collaboration and trust.
• Manage the RFP process. Prepare the request, select participants, review proposals, negotiate contracts and prices with suppliers, and award the business based on Total Cost of Ownership analyses.
• Work cross‑functionally with Sales, Marketing, Product Development, and QA Teams to support new product development. Own and manage the supplier relationship throughout the project.
• Effectively lead supplier business meetings with strategic partners and preferred suppliers to drive business value. Involve other functional partners to resolve issues and drive continued supplier development.
• Develop and manage supplier relationships to deliver reliable product supply and total cost effectiveness while meeting or exceeding all customer service, compliance, product requirements, and key performance metrics including material and process selection for purchases, negotiating supply agreements, and establishing supplier performance metrics.
• Manage supplier performance with feedback through monthly scorecards to mitigate risk, support performance improvement, and proactively identify issues. Act as a trusted business advisor by managing and driving resolution of supplier issues and escalating as needed. Develop risk mitigation plans and be a major contributor to the Supplier Risk Mitigation Program.
• Provide subject matter expertise for the assigned categories through complete understanding of the industry, the competitive landscape, the suppliers, price changes/volatility, emerging markets, and future technologies/innovations. Communicate potential opportunities to the business.
• Establish close working relationships with other cross‑functional areas (e.g. Quality, Manufacturing, Regulatory, Inventory, Product Development, Technical Manufacturing, and Marketing) to ensure full understanding and support of strategic sourcing’s perspective to key processes.
• Develop market intelligence within assigned categories including supply/demand, cost drivers, material indexes, benchmarks, and mergers & acquisitions in the industry to mitigate supply and cost risk. Identify potential hedging opportunities.

This position has no supervisory responsibilities.

Bachelor’s Degree in Business, Operations Management or a related field and a minimum of five years of related experience; or equivalent combination of education and experience.

At this time, we do not provide employment sponsorship of any kind, including work visas or visa transfers. Candidates must already be legally authorized to work in the United States.

• Excellent interpersonal and collaboration skills
• Supplier negotiating and contract management skills
• Proven ability to lead cross‑functional teams in the resolution of product supply issues, execution of supply agreements, and delivery of cost improvement projects
• Strong analytical, problem solving, and business acumen skills
• Strategic thinking…