Category Manager - Filtration and Sterilization

Category Manager
- Filtration and Sterilization

Location: Lakewood, CO, US

Requisition : 35156

We are seeking a strategic and results driven Category Manager to lead our direct materials sourcing initiatives, with a specialized focus on filtration, membrane, and sterilization technologies. In this role, you will drive supplier strategy, optimize cost and performance, and ensure supply continuity for critical components that support high quality manufacturing and innovation. You will partner cross functionally with engineering, commercial, quality, and operations teams to identify opportunities, manage risk, and build strong supplier relationships within a highly technical and regulated environment.

This is an exciting opportunity for a forward thinking procurement leader who thrives in complex categories and is passionate about delivering measurable impact in a growing, innovation focused organization.

• Development and execution of long-term category strategies for highly critical and visible direct materials supporting Terumo BCT’s global manufacturing network.
• Prepare RFx, analyze proposals, and lead cross‑functional supplier selections based on total value proposition.
• Plan and execute supplier negotiations around pricing, capacity, business & legal terms.
• Cultivate expert‑level knowledge of category trends including cost drivers, global pricing, supply and demand material lead times, technical/manufacturing processes, and supplier market dynamics, and category specific market intelligence.
• Drive alternate sourcing, supplier consolidation and localization to maximize pricing leverage and cycle time improvements.
• Drive and manage enhanced margin through improved material cost savings.
• Drive commodity/category performance improvement to stated goals: lead time improvements, minimum order quantity improvements, localization or vendor managed inventory opportunities, payment terms, incoming quality, decrease inventory levels and increase inventory turns, and continuous supplies.
• Prepare business cases, including ROI models, and effectively present cost‑savings proposals to appropriate parties for approval and qualification.
• Negotiate business T & C’s relating to: payment terms, delivery terms, inventory strategies (VMI, safety stock, and inventory liability), lead times, price reduction and other strategic issues with key suppliers.
• Lead in the development and execution of global or regional negotiation strategies with suppliers, including specific targets for pricing, service, quality, and inventory.
• Accountable for collaborating closely with customer‑facing teams, operation teams, and R&D / quality engineering teams to ensure that the supplier strategy is in line with product and customer needs.

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in business, supply chain or operations field.
• Master’s degree in Business Administration (MBA) or Engineering or technical discipline is preferred.

Experience

• Minimum 6 years in similar role or related experience at a global manufacturing company.
• Preferred – Experience in Medical Device industry.
• Experience in managing and optimizing supply chains in a manufacturing environment.
• Experience with ERP (SAP preferred) and Power BI.

Skills

• Supplier relationship management & contract negotiation.
• Executive‑level communication and stakeholder management in a global company.
• Excellent verbal and written communication, analytical, leadership, problem‑solving and organizational skills.
• Demonstrated ability to consistently work through multiple issues by capitalizing on available resources and prioritizing accordingly.
• Demonstrated use of comprehensive analytical skills to determine alternatives and present recommendations.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and ability to thrive in a continuous improvement environment.
• Knowledge and use of relevant PC software applications and skills to use them effectively.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office is required, with at least intermediate expertise in Excel (including advanced formulas, conditional formatting, pivot tables, charts and graphs, and data analysis), PowerPoint (such as creating…