Category Manager

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Job description

The Category Manager position is responsible for managing the Cold Chain Packaging of Nordic Cold Chain Solutions (NCCS). Through a deep knowledge of direct packaging categories, excellent supplier interfaces, and technology-based solutions, the Category Manager can creatively influence many purchase transactions across 6 facilities making a significant contribution to the success of the company. This position reports directly to the Director of Supply Chain and will join a growing team of Supply Chain professionals.

· Manage purchases of Cold Chain Packaging material items/services.

· Utilize strategic sourcing process to manage assigned categories for 6 locations by identifying stakeholders, defining, and implementing a strategy that reduces cost, improves quality, delivery performance, and NCCS's competitive position.

· Identify major categories by analyzing current spend and suppliers.

· Consolidate spend to create leverage, purchasing trends and sourcing alternatives.

· Identify new high potential suppliers on local/regional basis.

· Develop key performance measures for chosen suppliers and negotiate on multiple variables to award longer-term strategic contracts that result in significant cost reduction and improved service levels.

· Manage respective supplier relationships and performance, including but not limited to dispute resolution.

· Reduce cost of acquisition by implementing appropriate technology solutions.

· Manage multiple projects, coordinate activities of team and track progress / schedules.

· Develop expertise in assigned categories through external research, analysis of cost drivers and life cycle costs.

· Provide market intelligence, Category price trends, identify category-specific best practices in procurement.

Position Requirements

· Bachelors' degree in supply chain, logistics, or business. Prior experience in sourcing function, leading strategic sourcing activity in multi plant cross functional environment.

· Demonstrated knowledge of strategic sourcing process and tools and their application in restructuring indirect purchases of a multi plant manufacturing business. Track record of delivering significant cost reduction and service level improvements.

· Proven product and market knowledge relative to cold chain packaging and well versed in functional strategic sourcing practices. Experience with direct production material sourcing.

· Expertise in negotiation of long-term contracts with safeguards against identified risks.

· Exposure to vendor provided or third-party technology solutions for packaging space. Ability to identify key performance measures and evaluate alternatives.

Skills and Abilities

· Demonstrated ability to build teams and a cross-functional consensus. Ability to work with key stakeholders in multiple locations and at various levels.

· Strong analytical problem-solving ability.

· Ability to self-motivate, multi-task and work independently as part of a geographically dispersed team

· Willing to travel as needed; generally, not more than 10-15%

· Strong work ethic: Willing to roll up sleeves and engage, Takes a high degree of personal responsibility; Places team achievement ahead of personal gain.

· Is confident, but never pretentious, unquestioned ethics and respect for individual dignity.

· An energetic, self-starter; genuinely enthusiastic; a builder of good relationships across the business and with suppliers.

· Experience with purchasing, MRP/ERP systems and quality/continuous improvement initiatives.

· Proven ability to manage multiple priorities with timely results.

We offer a friendly yet challenging work environment along with good compensation and comprehensive benefit package. Some of the benefits include but are not limited to Medical, Dental, Vision, 401K with company match and paid time off.

Nordic Cold Chain Solutions is an Equal Opportunity Employer, M/F/D/V

Job Type: Full-time