Title:  Associate, Category Management

Job Title: Associate, Category Management 

Job Code: 44634

Job Location: Huntsville, AL 

Job Description: The Category Management function will assist in development and implementation of commodity sourcing strategies through organizational and marketplace assessments. A successful Category Management Associate will work with cross-functional teams, analyze supplier performance, identify potential risks and recommend mitigation strategies, and support capability/capacity assessments. Additionally, this role will require participation in supplier negotiations, sound business acumen and interpersonal skills, and focus on leveraging the organization’s scale to achieve the best possible quality, technology, cost, and delivery for our customers. 

Essential Functions: 

• Support development and execution of the category strategy for the segment 

• Support regular communication with supply chain leadership and functional teams on category status, challenges, and opportunities 

• Coordinate on a continuous basis with internal customers to understand evolving business objectives, expectations, and specific requirements 

• Manage supplier relationships and segmentation based on key enterprise priorities  

• Manage, analyze, take appropriate actions and create risk mitigation strategies 

• Participate in on-site supplier events to include SBRs and industrial capability and capacity assessments 

• Develop market insights through research and data, industry developments, supply/demand dynamics, emerging technologies, leading-edge practices 

• Partner with team members on negotiations (for best total cost of ownership, make vs. buy analyses, inventory reduction programs, security of supply, data analysis) and develop negotiation strategy (approach, fallback positions, acceptable terms and conditions, contracts) through to closure. 

• Partner as a subject matter expert (SME) on a continuous basis with internal customers to understand evolving business objectives, expectations and specific requirements 

• Coordinate with sectors to deliver flawless new product introduction (NPI) with preferred suppliers that achieve targeted BOM cost and all program objectives and milestones 

• Establish a strong network and foster collaboration with sector/segment teams, suppliers, key stakeholders, and category team members. 

Qualifications:  To be eligible, applicants must be pursuing a bachelor’s degree in related field or have completed their bachelor’s degree within the last 12 months, regardless of age.  

Preferred Additional Skills: 

•    Proficiency in Microsoft Outlook, Excel, Word, Project and PowerPoint 

•    Six Sigma Green Belt or other Lean Experience 

• Familiarity with ERP systems (SAP, Oracle) or procurement platforms