Top Category Management Executive plans and directs all aspects of an organization's merchandising category management. Oversees the implementation of category management to achieve company's strategies and financial goals. Being a Top Category Management Executive requires a bachelor's degree in area of specialty. Typically reports to top management. The Top Category Management Executive manages a departmental sub-function within a broader departmental function. Creates functional strategies and specific objectives for the sub-function and develops budgets/policies/procedures to support the functional infrastructure. Deep knowledge of the managed sub-function and solid knowledge of the overall departmental function. To be a Top Category Management Executive typically requires 5+ years of managerial experience. (Copyright 2024 Salary.com)
Position Description
The Director of Category Management is a tenured, dynamic, and results-driven leader who has a deep understanding of procurement operations and a proven track record of optimizing costs and developing high performing teams. In close partnership with cross-functional leadership, this position is responsible for the direction and implementation of the portfolio’s procurement strategy and will drive the organization to achieve significant cost improvements each year (heavy focus on indirect spend) while also identifying synergies stemming from new business growth. This is a hands-on role requiring a detail-oriented and highly self-driven individual looking to make a material impact with an ever-growing organization.
Essential Functions/Responsibilities:
Category Management: Oversee multiple indirect and/or possible direct spend categories to develop sourcing strategies aligned with organizational objectives.
Vendor Management: Establish and maintain strong relationships with vendors and suppliers, ensuring quality of services and products and resolving any issues or disputes that may arise.
Sourcing Process Leadership: Lead all aspects of the strategic sourcing process, including market and financial analyses, development of sourcing strategies, RFx, contract negotiations, and supplier relationship management.
Stakeholder Collaboration: Cultivate collaborative relationships and maintain a high degree of communication, cooperation and coordination with all cross-functional stakeholders.
Contract Management: Proactively manage upcoming contract expirations, executing the RFx process to capitalize on savings opportunities and optimize contract terms.
Cost & Efficiency Improvement: Identify, present and champion improvement initiatives across Flynn’s portfolio of businesses while consistently maintaining a long-term strategic savings plan.
Negotiation and Contracting: Utilize strong negotiation skills to engage with vendors and internal stakeholders, developing negotiation strategies and closing contracts with optimal terms in compliance with internal standards and legal prerequisites.
Contract Administration: Draft, negotiate, and execute contracts, ensuring alignment with industry trends and market standards, while providing ongoing support for non-strategic product or service requests.
Talent Optimization: Set priorities, remove obstacles for delivering on objectives, and ensure team is focused on providing value-added support that helps deliver strong financial performance.
Key Performance Indicators: Leads the development and implementation of a category management team that consistently achieves/exceeds annual savings plans and enables achievement of other source-to-pay operational metrics.
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:
Experience & Education
Why Work for Flynn?
Flynn Group offers a variety of benefits and perks to encourage and empower our employees. We are committed to helping each employee work and live to his or her fullest potential. We offer a variety of benefits and perks while working for us:
The Flynn Group is an Equal Opportunity Employer