Senior Manager, Category Management - Road Freight

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Reporting to the Senior Director, 3PL Category Management, the Senior Category Manager – Road Freight will serve as the owner for assigned spend categories, with a particular focus on road freight. This critical role is responsible for driving the development and execution of category management strategies, specifically within the road freight space, leveraging expertise in sourcing and negotiating contracts to deliver maximum value for the organization.

The Senior Manager will collaborate closely with Sourcing Managers and other business stakeholders to implement defined strategies and provide overall direction and coaching to team members supporting the same commodity.

• Sourcing carriers, negotiating contracts, and supporting the transportation & logistics teams to ensure category consistency, performance and value, cost‑effective relationships.
• Coordinates with Sourcing & Corporate Program Managers in the development and execution of category strategies, and the identification of opportunities for continuous improvement and cost savings.
• Fosters deep stakeholder relationships by connecting with internal stakeholders and providing regular updates to senior leadership on category performance and initiatives.
• Provides oversight of the specific indirect spend category ensuring effective management and alignment with organizational objectives.
• Provides guidance to team on the negotiation of contracts, establishment of sourcing relationships, ongoing operational efficiencies, and management of programs.
• Guides the comprehensive analysis of category performance metrics, leveraging data‑driven insights to identify strategic opportunities and drive continuous improvement.
• Develops the annual category plan and budget for the specific category, aligning with organizational goals and priorities.
• Conducts meetings regularly to discuss progress, address challenges, and foster collaboration across category management functions.
• Evaluates the performance of team members periodically, providing constructive feedback and support for professional development.
• Maintains a comprehensive and up‑to‑date understanding of market trends, emerging technologies, and vendor capabilities within the category to inform strategic decision‑making.
• Engages with internal stakeholders regularly to provide updates on category performance, collaborate on sourcing strategies and initiatives, and solicit feedback for improvement.
• Reviews and updates category management policies and procedures to ensure alignment with industry best practices and organizational requirements.
• Identifies opportunities for cost savings and process improvement, driving efficiency and effectiveness in procurement operations.
• Is the primary point of contact with the business and vendors, developing deep stakeholder relationships.
• Manages the specific indirect spend category within the overall procurement strategy, ensuring alignment with organizational goals including sustainability.
• Supports the Category Director in stakeholder engagement activities and relationship management, fostering innovation, collaboration, and alignment across functions.
• Contributes to the development of the annual category plan and budget, aligning category strategies with overall objectives and organizational priorities.
• Supports development of the five‑year strategy and long‑range plan including achievement of goals.
• Supports corporate initiatives and M&A projects, including due diligence, identification of synergies, and post‑acquisition integration.
• Leverages spend data analysis to identify cost‑saving opportunities and drive efficiency in procurement operations.
• Leads contract processes end‑to‑end for select contracts with support from the Sourcing Managers.
• Provides support to the Sourcing…