Manifest Solutions is currently seeking a Category Lead for a hybrid position in Columbus, OH.
- Responsible for helping drive value through the strategic sourcing and the supplier relationship management processes by independently leading and managing multiple strategic enterprise sourcing initiatives.
- Establishing, leading/facilitating, and supporting cross functional category management teams to develop and maintain category plans and ongoing category performance
- Manage category-related projects from initiation through implementation, applying project management principles to deliver results on time and within scope.
- Developing deep knowledge and experience within assigned spend management responsibilities
- Developing spend/performance and external market analyses to monitor category performance and identify performance improvement opportunities
- Developing spend and savings/performance improvement forecasts to monitor progress and ensure goals are achieved
- Developing plans to capture identified opportunities
- Defining category requirements through collaborative efforts with respective stakeholder groups
- Collaborating with stakeholder groups to develop consensus on the appropriate category plans and priorities
- Leading performance improvement initiatives defined by the category plan including strategic sourcing and other performance improvement initiatives
- Establishing, leading/facilitating, and supporting cross functional strategic sourcing/performance improvement teams as needed/prescribed by category plans to achieve savings and performance targets (e.g. reduce cost, improve quality and result in a lower total cost of ownership, meeting supplier diversity goals)
- Leading negotiations with suppliers as needed
- Maintaining critical supplier agreements including renewals, negotiation of terms, issue identification, tracking and resolution
- Developing and maintaining supplier criticality ratings and managing resulting critical supplier relationships
- Managing supplier relationships including conducting Quarterly Business Reviews with critical suppliers and Executive Sponsors
- Developing successful partnerships with key stakeholders / business partners to achieve desired results
- Developing and managing cross-functional category management and strategic sourcing teams as needed
- Collaborating with stakeholders to drive needed decisions to achieve desired results
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or equivalent work related experience
- Proven track record to deliver results and achieve goals
- Demonstrated ability to develop effective working relationships with others
- Experience leading cross-functional teams
- Ability to build support and consensus
- Proven financial acumen and analytical abilities
Preferred Additional Qualifications
- Experience managing large supplier agreements
- Experience working in a Shared Services organization
- Supply Chain experience in the utility industry
- Knowledgeable in category management and strategic sourcing practices