Category Manager

The Category Manager will be responsible for developing strategies that optimize the Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) for a group of materials and/or services and for leading strategic sourcing initiatives, contract negotiations and supplier performance management activities. This role will interact with Executive Leadership (both internal and external), operations, and relevant stakeholders to ensure understanding and alignment. In addition, they will lead initiatives aimed at identifying opportunities for savings/value creation, and recommending changes required to drive higher performance for the organization.

The person must have analytical and problem‑solving skills, as well as the ability to lead/influence a team to drive on‑time completion of projects.

• Leading cross‑functional teams on project‑based initiatives to develop and implement key elements of the category strategy (supply market analysis, contract, supplier performance).
• Establishing, maintaining, and communicating business requirements, importance of the materials and services required, and process improvement methods utilized to support Supply Chain initiatives.
• Identifying strategies to support dynamic business needs and obtain internal stakeholder buy‑in across all levels of the organization.
• Performing assessments for the goods and/or services being evaluated; developing detailed supply market analyses; performing value chain analyses; and constructing cost models to facilitate long‑term management of AAON spend.
• Optimizing the total cost of the product or service by leveraging spend across both Legacy AAON and BASX business units, forming key supplier alliances, consolidating the supplier base, and driving efficiencies within AAON’s supply chain.
• Developing negotiation strategies by identifying and quantifying gives, takes and best alternatives.
• Coordinating the preparation and execution of commercial agreements in a manner that mitigates risk between AAON and its supplier.
• Identifying and monitoring leading supply market indicators to proactively adjust category strategies, negotiate/re‑negotiate commercial agreements and mitigate supply risk.
• Working with key stakeholders and suppliers to create accurate service/material forecasts needed to ensure alignment with category strategies.
• Driving supplier performance management through measurement of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), communication of operational performance and identification of areas where improvement is needed.

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management or a relevant Business / Technical discipline.
• Master’s degree in Business, Supply Chain Management or a relevant technical discipline (preferred).
• 5+ years of strategic sourcing, category management or general Supply Chain leadership experience within diverse industries / markets.
• In‑depth knowledge of category management, strategic sourcing processes, procedures & practices.
• Executed multiple, large contract / commercial negotiations.
• HVAC manufacturing experience with specific planning and supply chain activities related to drilling, completion or production (preferred).
• Proven track record applying complex category management techniques, including supply market analysis, TCO principles, and strategy development.
• Working knowledge of evaluation modeling experience, including cost/benefit and present value analysis.
• In‑depth Excel knowledge and experience.
• Experience with SAP is highly desired.

• Leading by example through the embodiment of, and by embracing, AAON’s core values and leadership attributes.
• Being a self‑starter; able to excel with limited supervision.
• Results oriented.
• Strong analytical and interpersonal communication skills.
• Comfortable presenting to Executive Leadership.
• Able to positively influence stakeholders.
• Able to plan and execute complex negotiations.
• Can handle multiple activities and changing priorities.

At AAON and BASX, we’re driven by a shared commitment to innovation, performance, and sustainability. Since 1988, AAON has been at the forefront of the HVAC industry, delivering cutting‑edge solutions for commercial and industrial indoor environments. Since joining forces with AAON in 2021, BASX has built on that foundation with highly engineered, custom solutions for critical environments—including clean rooms, data centers, and laboratories—where precision and reliability matter most.

Together, we design and manufacture highly configurable systems tailored to each application, ensuring our customers achieve exceptional efficiency, performance, and long‑term value. Join us in shaping smarter, more sustainable environments for the future.