Category Lead

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