Job Description

Title: Category Manager - Plastics

Type of Hire: Direct Hire

Location : Lakewood, Colorado Hybrid

Important Notes:

Must Haves:

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in business, supply chain or operations field
• MBA preferred

Experience

• Minimum 3-5 years’ experience in similar role or related experience at a global manufacturing company
• Preferred – experience with Plastics commodity
• Preferred - Certified Professional in Supply Management (CPSM), Certified Supply Chain Professional (CSCP), or other relevant sourcing/procurement certification strongly preferred.

Job Description

We are seeking an experienced and strategic Category Manager to lead the procurement of plastics-related products within our direct materials sourcing team. In this role, you will be responsible for developing and executing category strategies, managing supplier relationships, negotiating contracts, and driving cost-saving initiatives. Ideal candidates will have a strong background in plastics procurement, market analysis, and supplier negotiations, with the ability to balance quality, cost, and sustainability. If you are a proactive problem-solver with expertise in the plastics industry and a passion for optimizing supply chains, we want to hear from you!

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

• Development and execution of long-term category strategies for highly critical and visible direct materials supporting global manufacturing network
• Prepare RFx, analyze proposals, and lead cross-functional supplier selections based on total value proposition.
• Plan and execute supplier negotiations around pricing, capacity, business & legal terms.
• Cultivate expert-level knowledge of category trends including cost drivers, global pricing, supply and demand material lead times, technical/manufacturing processes, and supplier market dynamics.
• Drive alternate sourcing, supplier consolidation and localization to maximize pricing leverage and cycle time improvements.
• Drive and manage enhanced margin through improved material cost savings.
• Drive commodity performance improvement to stated goals: Lead time improvements, Minimum Order Quantity improvements, Localization or Vendor Managed Inventory opportunities, Payment Terms, Incoming Quality, decrease inventory levels and increase inventory turns
• Prepare Business Cases, including ROI models, and effectively present Cost Savings proposals to appropriate parties for approval and qualification.
• Negotiate business T & C's relating to: payment terms, delivery terms, inventory strategies, lead times, price reduction and other strategic issues with key suppliers.
• Lead in the development and execution of global or regional negotiation strategies with suppliers, including specific targets for pricing, service, quality, and inventory.
• Accountable for working closely with customer facing teams, operation teams, and R&D / Quality Engineering teams to ensure that the supplier strategy is in line with product and customer needs.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in business, supply chain or operations field
• MBA preferred

Experience

• Minimum 3-5 years’ experience in similar role or related experience at a global manufacturing company
• Required – experience with Plastics commodity

Skills

• Supplier relationship management & negotiation
• Executive-level communication and stakeholder management in a global company
• Excellent verbal and written communication, analytical, leadership, problem-solving and organizational skills.
• Demonstrated ability to consistently work through multiple issues by capitalizing on available resources and prioritizing accordingly.
• Demonstrated use of comprehensive analytical skills to determine alternatives and present recommendations.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and ability to thrive in a continuous improvement environment.
• Knowledge and use of relevant PC software applications and skills to use them effectively.

-Or-

An equivalent competency level acquired through a variation of these qualifications may be considered.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations

Preferred - Certified Professional in Supply Management (CPSM), Certified Supply Chain Professional (CSCP), or other relevant sourcing/procurement certification strongly preferred.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Typical Office Environment requirements including reading, speaking, hearing, close vision, walking, bending, sitting, and occasional lifting up to 20 pounds.
• The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an associate to successfully perform the essential duties of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform their essential duties.

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