Position Summary:

The Category Manager – Channel & Directed Spend is responsible for owning and executing category strategies across assigned product categories, with a strong emphasis on Channel and Directed spend optimization, supplier value capture, and profitable growth. This role leads fact-based negotiations, drives early quick-win savings opportunities, and partners closely with Sales, Integrated Supply, Sourcing, Finance, and Operations to optimize assortment, pricing, and supplier performance. The Category Manager plays a critical role in eliminating low-value spend, consolidating volume with strategic partners, and delivering measurable margin and cost improvements.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities: 

• Category Strategy & Execution: Develop and execute category plans aligned to enterprise objectives, including assortment optimization, pricing actions, and supplier strategies.
• Channel Spend & Value Capture: Identify, prioritize, and execute low-hanging savings opportunities (pricing gaps, rebates, volume leverage, SKU rationalization) to drive near-term and sustained run-rate impact.
• Supplier Negotiations: Lead data-driven supplier negotiations using structured fact packs and line-review methodologies; quantify, secure, and track commercial outcomes.
• Supplier Management: Own strategic supplier relationships, performance reviews, cost reduction initiatives, and continuous improvement efforts.
• Analytics & Fact-Based Decision Making: Analyze Category and Supplier level sales to identify opportunities, build business cases, and support negotiations and category decisions.
• Spend Consolidation: Partner with Integrated Supply and Industrial teams to eliminate tail suppliers, redirect volume, and ensure smooth execution of supplier transitions.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work closely with Sales, Finance, Operations, IT, and Marketing to ensure category initiatives are executed effectively and aligned with customer needs.
• Market & Competitive Insights: Monitor market pricing, competitor behavior, and product alternatives to strengthen negotiation leverage and category positioning.
• Performance Tracking & Governance: Track savings realization, run-rate impact, and in-year benefits; ensure results are documented and sustained.
• Other duties as assigned by departmental leadership.