Category Manager - Huntersville, NC

The Category Manager leads strategic sourcing and category management for selected categories across a rigid packaging manufacturing platform. This role is responsible for value creation (e.g. driving cost reduction, risk mitigation, working capital improvements and overall supplier performance) across direct and indirect spend categories.

• Develop and execute multi-year category strategies aligned with enterprise cost-reduction and margin-improvement objectives.
• Identify and deliver year-over-year savings through sourcing events, supplier management initiatives (e.g. negotiations, specification optimization, and demand management, etc.). Act as key first line contact with suppliers in negotiations, risk management and day-to-day activities.
• Build should-cost models and market intelligence to support negotiations and development of annual budget. Provide key inputs to develop and implement annualized GPI (general price increase) to customers.
• Lead supplier selection, qualification, and consolidation initiatives across assigned categories.
• Negotiate master supply agreements, pricing structures, rebates, working capital programs (terms optimization & inventory programs) and service-level agreements.
• Manage supplier performance using Scorecards & KPIs focused on cost, quality, delivery, and service.
• Partner with suppliers on continuous improvement, innovation, and risk mitigation.

• Partner closely with Operations, Maintenance, Engineering, Quality, and Finance to align sourcing strategies with plant needs.
• Support new product introductions, plant expansions, and capital projects from a sourcing and supplier perspective.
• Drive standardization of materials, suppliers, and specifications across multiple facilities.

• Own spend analysis and category reporting, ensuring transparency and tracking of savings vs. targets.
• Ensure compliance with procurement policies, contracts, and internal controls.
• Support integration efforts for acquisitions, including supplier onboarding and spend rationalization as well as realization of procurement synergies.

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Business, Engineering, or related field.
• 5+ years of procurement or strategic sourcing experience in a manufacturing environment.
• Proven experience managing indirect and packaging-related spend categories.
• Strong negotiation, contract management, and supplier management skills.
• Advanced analytical capabilities (Excel, spend analysis tools, ERP systems).
• Ability to travel to manufacturing sites and suppliers as needed.
• Experience in rigid packaging, plastics, or industrial manufacturing, preferred.
• Prior experience in a private equity–owned or highly cost-focused environment, preferred.
• Familiarity with multi-plant sourcing strategies and post-acquisition integration, preferred.