Sr. Category Leader, Marketing & Communications

Kohler seeks a Sr. Category Leader, Marketing & Communications to own global sourcing strategy for marketing agencies, media, creative services, and communication materials. In this role, you will analyze spend, run RFx events, negotiate contracts, and build high-performing supplier partnerships that support Kohler's premium brand, design leadership, and sustainability goals. You'll collaborate closely with Marketing, Communications, and Finance to align category plans to business priorities, deliver savings and value, manage risk, and drive continuous improvement across a complex, global supply base.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute global category strategy for marketing and communications services and materials
• Lead sourcing events, negotiations, and supplier selection to optimize cost, quality, and service
• Build and manage strategic supplier relationships to drive innovation and continuous improvement
• Partner with Marketing, Communications, and Finance to forecast demand and manage budgets
• Analyze spend, market trends, and supplier performance to identify savings and value-creation opportunities
• Ensure contracts, SLAs, and compliance standards are met across the supplier base
• Drive sustainability, diversity, and risk-management priorities in the supply base
• Lead cross-functional projects to standardize processes and improve procurement effectiveness
• Present category plans, results, and recommendations to senior leadership

Required Skills

• Strategic sourcing
• Category management
• Supplier relationship management
• Contract negotiation
• Marketing procurement
• Data and spend analysis
• Financial acumen and budgeting
• RFP/RFQ/RFI management
• Stakeholder management
• Project management