Category Manager

Job Summary

Sun's Category Manager leads the development and execution of our supply chain strategy through sourcing and procurement disciplines, collaboration, and communication, and develops suppliers and solutions to meet Sun's supply chain needs. The Category Manager handles complex and challenging categories, such as services that may require regional solutions.

• Manages complex and challenging categories, including services, and develops deep knowledge of the assigned categories to create sourcing strategies that consider market trends, business objectives, the full supply chain, and total cost of ownership (Essential)
• Provides mentoring to other Sourcing & Procurement team members while contributing to Sun's approach to supply chain management (Essential)
• Impacts purchasing behavior by ensuring established suppliers support Sun performance expectations, data requirements, and procurement strategy. Builds solutions that make valued supply partnerships available to Sun stakeholders (Essential)
• Collaborates with Sun stakeholders to identify and pursue product and service opportunities, including product standardization and process efficiency (Essential)
• Leads cross‑functional sourcing efforts, including RFI, RFQ, RFP that meet business objectives, ensuring effective communication across the organization (Essential)
• Negotiates agreements with key suppliers, factoring in all aspects of a successful partnership, including cost and terms of supply, service, and quality (Essential)
• Analyzes and calculates product/service and procurement costs and develops cost reduction strategies (Essential)
• Assists in process development and implementation of supplier onboarding into Sun's Procurement Platform; oversees activities such as data cleansing, process standardization, and catalog content creation (Essential)
• Coordinates team member selection and development and ensures team members comply with appropriate policies and procedures.
• Ens effective implementation of sourced products, services, and supplier programs by utilizing sound project and change management disciplines.
• Manages supplier performance ensuring focus on total value, including quality, service responsiveness, process efficiency cost. Elicits feedback on supplier performance from community team members.
• Identifies and escalates critical external relationships that could affect the supply chain, planning, and decision‑making.
• Ensures compliance with Sourcing and Procurement policies and best practices.
• Leads in the design and implementation of effective and efficient procurement processes and tools.
• Other special projects, as assigned.

• Bachelor's Degree in Supply Chain Management or related field (Required)
• 8 years in relative sourcing and procurement experience (Required)
• Collaborative team member who personifies hospitality and has a passion for people.
• Analytical mindset able to solve problems effectively and creatively with superb leadership and communication skills.
• Customer focused; ability to identify / solicit key stakeholder needs and develop solutions to address their needs.
• Conscientious self‑starter, with a work attitude that exhibits flexibility, initiative, good judgment, and dependability.
• Continuous improvement mindset with strong knowledge and experience with the development and deployment of sourcing and procurement processes and systems.
• Advanced ability to collaborate and negotiate while maintaining a high level of professionalism and integrity.
• Willingness to travel to develop, promote, and maintain strategic sourcing relationships.
• Willingness to work overtime or weekends on occasion, when required.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including presentations.

At Sun Communities, you will be part of an industry‑leading organization where you will be challenged, inspired, rewarded and transformed. We place a high priority on our team members, and this is a big part of what sets us apart. We will ask you to give us your very best every day, and will challenge you with interesting work, stretch assignments, a collaborative and supportive work environment and plenty of learning and growth.

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