Senior Category Manager

PURPOSE AND SCOPE:

Responsible for developing and executing strategies to support Fresenius Medical Care North America's Supply Chain objectives. Responsible for strategic category management, supplier negotiations, contracts, and ongoing supplier management in assigned materials.  Coordinates with Procurement and Global Strategic Procurement organizations to ensure alignment of procurement strategies where material/service synergies exist.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Ensures attainment of department goals, and support the Director to establish goals, KPI's and policies for the department.
• Own development and implementation of comprehensive Category strategies for assigned categories.
• Strategically manage indirect spend by utilizing a proven sourcing process that engages cross enterprise stakeholders, aligns business objectives, and ensures supply continuity.
• Act as subject matter expert on company's business requirements and the supply and demand markets for assigned categories and their impact on the category. 
• Gain credibility and secure high levels of internal stakeholder's buy-in to category strategies and strategic initiatives.
• Analyze global Category or service market trends for assigned material/service purchases and communicate opportunities to Executive Management, recommending action plans based on market trends.
• Develop and direct annual cost savings programs that directly affect company financials and growth plans and generate progressive year over year cost reductions.
• Prepare requests for proposals for assigned materials/ services.
• Perform proposal analysis, including price analyses, Should Cost modeling, benchmarking, etc. 
• Develop cost targets for negotiations, negotiation strategy, and develop, negotiate and implement supply agreements.
• Lead supplier selection process, qualification of alternative sources, supply base rationalization programs and other relevant strategies to optimize the supply base.  
• Own  Supplier Relationship Management: Development and measurement of KPI's, supplier audits, business reviews, improvement plans, new opportunities, innovation, awards, terminations, etc. including savings tracking and ongoing communication to management and stakeholders.
• Own initiation to completion resolution of supplier/product related issues on assigned categories including recommendation of changes to policies and procedures that affect the organization.
• Provides leadership and coaching to all direct reports and partners with human resources on employee matters. Develops and administers schedules, performance requirements and acts as advisor to subordinate(s) to meet department objectives. Responsible for direct reports hiring and termination.
• Works with employees to develop clear and concise development plans to ensure the advancement of future leaders within FMCNA (succession planning).
• Other duties as assigned.

Additional responsibilities may include focus on one or more departments or locations.  See applicable addendum for department or location specific functions.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING CONDITIONS:

• The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 
• 5% - 10% Travel is required.

SUPERVISION:

• Responsible for various levels of Exempt staff.

EDUCATION:

• Bachelor's Degree required; Advanced Degree desirable
• BS/BA Degree required, Life Sciences preferred.
• MBA preferred. Advanced negotiations skills courses, a plus.

EXPERIENCE AND REQUIRED SKILLS:

• 8+ years of experience in Strategic Sourcing/category management with direct or in-direct sourcing responsibility, required.
• 3+ years' supervisory experience required.
• Exhibit deep understanding of Category Management methodology and application.
• Extensive experience managing sourcing projects from start to finish
• eSourcing experience required
• SAP proficiency a plus
• Proven ability to execute and generate cost reduction improvement.
• Must be proficient in MS Office applications with advanced knowledge of MS Excel and PowerPoint.
• Moderate to complex level of financial analysis knowledge including business modeling and problem solving skills.
• Experience in negotiating pricing, contract terms and conditions including statements of work (SOWs).
• Experience in providing project management and team leadership for sourcing initiatives stakeholders.
• Results driven, innovative & creative. Aligns and energizes behind common objectives, action-oriented & willing to face challenging situations.
• Strategic planning: The ability to formulate and articulate a strategy and business case for the category and build the tactical path. 
• Critical thinking and decision making: The ability to solve complex problems and think through both tangible (holistic supply chain costs) and intangible (future value of supplier relationships) factors in making decisions for the company.
• Analytical skills:  The ability to interpret and ground decisions on solid analytics.
• Negotiation skills:  The ability to negotiate the best possible terms with strategic suppliers that have a far reaching impact on our business.
• Influencing and collaboration skills:  The ability to influence internal and external stakeholders, including executive management, to achieve the initiative objectives. The ability to develop relationships and build both a strong direct and indirect sphere of influence.
• General leadership skills:  The Category Manager is expected to take ownership for the category's success and be able to lead and influence to deliver the desired results.

If your location allows for pay/benefit transparency, please click the link below to request further information on this position.

Pay Transparency Request Form

Fresenius Medical Care maintains a drug-free workplace in accordance with applicable federal and state laws.