Senior Category Manager

The Vertiv Senior Category Manager is a key individual within the procurement organization. It is a complex role that requires several skills qualifications and attributes. The category manager has a significant role in the selection and qualification of suppliers of critical manufactured components and must be extremely knowledgeable in the manufacturing processes and available technologies to optimize efficiencies of supply chain. This position is located in Westerville OH.

The category manager in conjunction with key stakeholders develops communicates and coordinates the procurement strategy for that category for the Americas. This involves an in depth understanding of the market technology supplier sourcing risk and performance management.

The category manager also needs to be able to minimize risk to short this means that the manager must develop an appropriate risk mitigation strategy through an appropriate supplier network maintaining continuity of supply while reducing risk within the supply chain.

In operational terms the manager will act as the Vertiv Americas team liaison between the various global/strategic manufacturers/suppliers and the procurement and operations teams. The manager is expected to support global and regional suppliers operating at a strategic level supporting the needs of the business and managing the overall commercial elements of the relationship.

The category manager must be able to see exactly how the regional global and strategic procurement policy fits into the overall company strategy and ensure that procurement drives the fulfilment of these aims.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Independently lead highly complex projects of large scope cross functionally with significant and long-term impact
• Provide solutions that set precedent
• Negotiate complex or risk technical business issues on behalf of the company
• Independently define projects establishes budget identify participants and mitigates risk
• Develop communicate and refine Vertiv category strategy through regular (monthly) engagement with marketing purchasing materials management engineering and strategic supply partners to plan organize and manage strategic and tactical sourcing and procurement efforts.
  • Develop deep relationships with Marketing Engineering and Regional Operations teams will be critical to success.
• Commercial relationship management of key strategic suppliers including contract negotiation pricing lead-time inventory performance and monitoring of quality performance (quality and execution)
  • Ensure all necessary legal agreements are executed and all supplemental contracts supporting goals and objectives for supply continuity and optimization are completed.
  • All prices have been negotiated and cost analysis completed against should cost models and internal make costs.
  • Lead projects focused on reducing waste and improving efficiency and effectiveness of sourcing process.
  • Manage the development of program budgets plans and objectives to meet the goals of the Procurement organization.
• Oversight communication and reporting of category performance including but not limited to:
  • Technology and Innovation trends and progress.
  • Material Inflation planning & reporting including risk mitigation and cost reduction strategies and planning towards achieving the Annual Operating Plan (AOP).
  • Supply base development and management (supplier strategy supplier population preferred supplier list).
  • Working with Quality Assurance to develop and report on continuous improvement programs and ensure detailed performance feedback is communicated to suppliers.
• Identify and drive best practices (internal and supplier) related to sourcing pricing and total cost contributors quality efficiency speed and responsiveness.
• Build strong relationships with business stakeholders to help unlock strategic and financial value.
• Develop and implement cost reduction strategies to achieve Procurement targets aligning with Business plan
• Identify and lead process improvement initiatives to enhance sourcing and procurement outcomes.
• Support Production Operations as necessary manage

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelors degree in an appropriate discipline Supply Chain Management Engineering or Business preferred.
• 10 years experience in procurement with a deep knowledge of supplier negotiations sourcing strategy building cost analysis and contract negotiation in a manufacturing environment.
• CPIM or equivalent is desirable.
• Strong proficiency in MS Office applications and experience with Oracle SAP or other ERP databases.
• Experience in Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) thought process (solutions thinking vs piece part).
• Experience in understanding market trends and developing clear reports that help the organization to understand what is trending and why in support of business decisions.
• Ability to develop KPIs (Key Performance Indicators) specific to the category management market and TCO.
• Experience developing and implementing replenishment programs such as VMI consignment or kanban.
• Strong negotiation skills are essential along with the ability to manage confidential and sensitive information.
• Strong analytical and presentation skills are key along with ability to clearly communicate complex scenarios while managing/leading multiple projects and changing priorities.
• Requires very strong interpersonal skills and the ability to develop and cultivate productive and lasting relationships with cross-functional teams in a global organization.
• Ability to apply critical analysis of procedures and processes and develop alternate solutions to address supply chain risks and challenges.
• Process improvement skills
• Project Management Skills - Ability to organize and schedule people and tasks
• Highly organized and can multi-task

PHYSICAL & ENVIRONMENTAL DEMANDS

• N/A

TIME TRAVEL REQUIRED: 40%

The successful candidate will embrace Vertivs Core Principals & Behaviors to help execute our Strategic Priorities.

OUR CORE PRINCIPALS: Safety. . Teamwork. Diversity & Inclusion.

OUR STRATEGIC PRIORITIES

• Customer Focus
• Operational Excellence
• High-Performance Culture
• Innovation
• Financial Strength

OUR BEHAVIORS

• Own It
• Act With Urgency
• Foster a Customer-First Mindset
• Think Big and Execute
• Lead by Example
• Drive Continuous Improvement
• Learn and Seek Out Development

At Vertiv we offer the stability of a global leader in a growing industry and the opportunity of a startup. We design manufacture and service the mission-critical infrastructure technologies for vital applications in data centers communication networks and commercial and industrial environments. With more than 30000 people worldwide and nearly $8 billion in revenue a strong customer base and global reach in nearly 130 countries our move to establish a standalone business enables us to deliver greater value to our customers and create new opportunities for our people.

Vertiv is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer.We promote equal opportunities for all with respect to hiring terms of employment mobility training compensation and occupational health without discrimination as to age race color religion creed sex pregnancy status (including childbirth breastfeeding or related medical conditions) marital status sexual orientation gender identity / expression (including transgender status or sexual stereotypes) genetic information citizenship status national origin protected veteran status political affiliation or disability. If you have a disability and are having difficulty accessing or using this website to apply for a position you can request help by sending an email to. If you are interested in applying or learning more about this role please visit the companys career page located on Authorization

No calls or agencies please. Vertiv will only employ those who are legally authorized to work in the United States. This is not a position for which sponsorship will be provided. Individuals with temporary visas such as E F-1 H-1 H-2 L B J or TN or who need sponsorship for work authorization now or in the future are not eligible for hire.

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