Category Manager, Corporate Services

Job Description

We're hiring a Category Manager who will focus specifically on Corporate Services procurement activities with an annual spend of +/-$140M. You will report to the Director, Strategic Sourcing and manage Indirect service categories to establish short and long-term strategies for continued cost optimization, value improvement, supplier relationship development, and risk mitigation. This role leads all sourcing activities for the Corporate Services sub-categories of indirect spend, with the goal of achieving reductions in the total cost of ownership, while maintaining/improving product quality and supplier service levels and lowering risk. You will manage strategic relationships and internal communications with suppliers and stakeholders to develop continuous improvement initiatives and implementation plans.

The Category Manager will lead a small team of direct reports who are responsible for partnering with business stakeholders to drive the development and execution of category strategies within the Corporate Services  (Human Resources, Consulting, and Financial Services), IT, and Travel sub-categories. 

The ideal candidate will work from our corporate office in Columbia, MD and relocation assistance is available. An alternate location we may consider is Houston, TX, where we anticipate opening an office late 2024, relocation will not be provided. 

Grace offers a hybrid work schedule that includes 3 days in the office (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday), and 2 days from your home.

 

Responsibilities

• The position requires transformational thought process regarding current operations, risk management, and value creation along with the discipline to execute procurement activities according to Grace’s Procure to Pay policies.  
• The day-to-day elements of the job are PR/PO approvals to ensure continued operations at the plants, vendor onboarding, and AP troubleshooting.
• The strategic contributions of this role include a strong understanding of Grace’s global Corporate spend and identify opportunities to increase quality and improve value through transformational efforts such as developing strategic category plans as well as sourcing, negotiating, contracting, and managing supplier performance, while meeting stakeholder requirements.
• Work closely with multiple business areas and stakeholders to establish, develop sourcing strategies and supplier management activities with input of spend analytics and budgetary forecasts.
• Participates in the financial planning and forecasting process as well as provides relevant global market information and dynamics to internal stakeholders.
• Analyzes data or insights to determine industry and material trends, devises long-term development strategies for material categories.
• Thinks end-to-end and integrates business plans with sourcing decisions, financial performance, and supply requirements. 
• Utilizes advanced analytical skills and business intelligence to drive sourcing process end-to-end from selection through performance management to stay ahead of any sourcing issues and maximize value to Grace. 
• Provide innovation and oversight to ensure business value (e.g., cost, service, quality, and reduced risk) and open communication around key stakeholder requirements for all direct and indirect goods and services. Lead continuous supplier value improvement efforts internally and externally.  Delivers annual reductions in total cost of ownership.
• Communicates results and recommendations to supply chain leadership on an ongoing and as-needed basis using clear and concise communication both in verbal and written form.
• Proven capability of managing internal and supplier communication with results-driven mentality.
• Engages with senior procurement personnel and partners with key internal and external stakeholders to ensure category alignment with global/regional strategies. 

Required Qualifications

• B.S. degree in operations, supply chain management, business, engineering, or science.  
• 7 years’ work experience in a global industrial/manufacturing environment with at least 5 years’ Indirect Category Management experience within sourcing and procurement.  
• People management experience.
• Functional knowledge of procurement, sourcing and/or category management
• Strong Excel skills (e.g., basic financial modeling, pivot tables, able to navigate large data sets)
• Ability to travel up to 10% of time.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree.
• Supply chain certification (CPSM, CSCP, CPIM, CFPIM),
• Demonstrated experience with enterprise technology applications (such as SAP, Ariba (preferred), SharePoint) that enable sourcing and procurement execution and reporting.
• Strong business acumen with strong internal and external negotiating skills.  Must be able to critically review and negotiate supply contracts and possess a solid understanding of standard contract terms and terminology. Able to critically evaluate supplier financial health and capabilities. 
• Process and project management skills/ability to manage change and prioritize multiple strategic and operational initiatives.

#WRGRACE

Benefits

U.S. Employee Benefits Summary (grace.com)

• Medical, Dental, Vision Insurance
• Life Insurance and Disability 
• Grace Wellness Program
• Flexible Workplace 
• Retirement Plans  
• 401(k) Company Match – Dollar to dollar up to the first 6%
• Paid Vacation and Holidays
• Parental Leave 
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Company Donation Match Program