Category Manager I

Job-ID: 16603; Location(s): McPherson, KS 

JOB DESCRIPTION SUMMARY

The Category Manager is responsible for developing and executing Sourcing Strategy for their assigned categories. Recommending supplier selection and negotiating with suppliers based on the long-term category sourcing and business product strategy and TCO. Establishing and maintaining contractual and business relationships with the suppliers. Communicating with Business Units and Corporate Department influencers and users on the selection.

JOB DESCRIPTION DETAILS

• Establishing strong relationships with internal business stakeholders; building a strong understanding of strategic business direction, requirements, and priorities across assigned suppliers and/or spend categories.
• Developing global sourcing strategies to deliver against business objectives for internal clients.
• Evaluating supplier core competencies and competitive positioning using industry cost models and bench-marking analysis.
• Managing the fundamentals of sourcing and supplier engagement activities including RFx, spend pattern analysis, contract analysis, bid evaluation, negotiations, and supplier consolidation.
• Identifying sourcing opportunities by leveraging spend analysis tools and engage with stakeholders to consolidate requirements over categories, suppliers and geographies.
• Work with business and finance leaders to identify and drive savings and controllership improvements, focusing on total cost of ownership.
• Providing guidance to internal stakeholders on procurement strategies
• Prepare and hold business reviews with stakeholders to review vendor performance, future opportunities, and/or challenges
• May be required to travel up to 25% of the time.
• Position is hybrid and could sit near McPherson, KS, Broomfield, CO or Mantua, OH. 

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of computer programs, including Microsoft Office, Visio, BW, LiveLink
• Advanced knowledge of ERP systems; SAP
• Expert knowledge of manufacturing and supply chain processes, matrix or strategic pricing, and supplier markets.
• Strong negotiator with proven experience in setting negotiation strategies and conducting negotiations.
• Extensive knowledge of the basic types of commercial agreement structures and the function and purpose of key legal terms.
• Strong experience assessing risk and concisely explaining complex issues to principal business owners.
• Extremely customer-focused and takes the time to understand the needs of the business.
• Experience working in a large, global, highly matrixed organization.
• Strong analytical skills including the ability to quickly synthesize, distill and draw conclusions on large amounts of disparate data.
• Ability to manage multiple simultaneous projects requiring frequent communication, organization, time management, and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Passionate self-starter with the highest integrity and ethics.

Education, Certification/License & Work Experience

• Bachelor’s Degree in Supply Chain, Business, Economics, or related field

AND

• 10+ years of related source to pay experience in Purchasing and Strategic Sourcing
• Category specific procurement experience required
• In-depth experience in best-in-class procurement practices (category management, benchmarking, should-cost models, RFX, reverse auction, contracting, etc.)
• Sourcing experience for steel parts. Can negotiate and execute contracts required. 

Wondering if you should apply? Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single qualification. At Viega, we are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace, so if you’re excited about this role but don’t check every box in the qualifications section, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this or other positions we have in the future.

Total Rewards Package:

Compensation

• Base: $80,000 - $94,000 annually, based on specific compensable factors including, but not limited to education, work experience, and geographic market.
• Bonus: This role will be eligible for participation in a discretionary annual bonus program, pursuant to which an employee may be awarded a percentage of their salary based on the company’s performance and their own individual performance.

Benefits

• Medical, Dental, Vision
• Wellness Program
• Health Savings Account (HSA) with a company contribution
• Voluntary Benefits (Life, AD&D, Disability)
• 401(k) retirement plan with a 7.5% company contribution
• Time Off Programs – 22 days Paid Time Off (PTO), 9 Company Holidays, 2 Volunteer Days

Application Window

• Posting date: 10/08/2025
• The application deadline for this job is: 11/08/2025

Your contact person:

Kristi Davis, TA Partner

Your contact person:

Kristi Davis  -  Kristi.Davis@viega.us - +1 (620) 798-9010