Category Manager – Americas MRO

Role Overview

• Develop and implement regional category strategies for assigned categories in alignment with global sourcing objectives, taking full ownership of category performance across the Americas.
• Execute strategic sourcing, R&D sourcing, and supplier negotiations, including contracts, statements of work, pricing, payment terms, MOQ and lead time reductions, and vendor-managed inventory solutions when applicable.
• Lead cost reduction and cost containment initiatives, identifying savings opportunities through supplier consolidation, process improvements, and strategic negotiations.
• Monitor, track, and report savings performance against established targets and regional goals.
• Manage material and service pricing, ensuring competitiveness and supply continuity.
• Conduct market analysis, monitor industry trends, and assess supplier capabilities to continuously refine sourcing strategies and identify innovation opportunities.
• Lead the RFx process, including RFIs, RFQs, and RFPs.
• Analyze supplier quotations, conduct detailed cost breakdown evaluations, and support internal requestors in supplier selection while ensuring standard terms are met or effectively negotiated.
• Build and maintain strong, collaborative relationships with suppliers and internal stakeholders, conducting regular supplier performance reviews against defined KPIs.
• Actively manage supplier performance issues and escalations, driving timely resolution and supporting the plants as a trusted procurement partner.
• Identify, assess, and mitigate supply chain risks, developing contingency plans to ensure continuity of supply for critical goods and services.
• Lead and participate in cross-functional collaboration with manufacturing plants, materials, engineering, quality, R&D, and business teams across the region.
• Share and promote sourcing best practices, supporting capability building and mentoring within the organization.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree is required.
• Candidates must hold a valid professional degree and professional license in accordance with local legal requirements.
• Proven experience in category management, strategic sourcing, and negotiations, with the ability to manage large supplier portfolios and multiple internal partners.
• Advanced English proficiency (written and verbal); for other regions Spanish is a strong plus.
• Strong spend analytics skills with the ability to build business cases, define negotiation strategies, and present recommendations to senior stakeholders.
• Demonstrated success in negotiating contracts, pricing, and commercial terms to deliver optimal outcomes.
• Experience developing and managing complex RFx processes, contracts, and statements of work.
• Strong project management and organizational skills, with the ability to lead initiatives independently.
• Excellent oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills, with the ability to communicate clearly across different cultures and languages.
• Strong proficiency in MS Office Suite.
• Ability to travel up to 25%, including flexibility to communicate outside of standard business hours.
• High level of integrity and professionalism in all activities.