Associate Category Leader

_Work Mode: Hybrid_

**Location**: Monterrey, Nuevo León

**Work Mode**: Hybrid Mode

**BASIC FUNCTION**
- Responsible for creating and executing sourcing strategies for assigned categories that allow Kohler Kitchen and Bath Group to win in the market while supply reducing risk and lowering total cost. Develop intimate knowledge of assigned products, suppliers, markets, and costs to create targeted sourcing strategies that include robust supplier management, risk mitigation, and cost saving plans. Additionally, this position will own the development of new regional sources, by identifying, evaluating and onboarding potential vendors within the assigned categories.

Strong project management, communication and leadership activity will be necessary to meet annual goals and objectives. Personal accountability, autonomy, communication, influence, and leadership will be critical to success in this role. This role is part of the North America Strategic Sourcing group in K&B Purchasing and will support the supply base and supplier relationships for new and development suppliers for any K&B categories.

**RESPONSIBILITIES** & COMPETENCIES**Create clear and concise Sourcing Strategies for all assigned categories with robust Supplier Performance Plans, Risk Mitigation Plans and Cost Saving Plans.- Act as Subject Matter Expert for assigned product categories and suppliers.- Participate in the new vendor strategic sourcing process. This will include supplier search, quotation prep, quote reviews, lead PPAP efforts, supplier/contract negotiations, supplier development and on-boarding.- Maintain required records such as quotes and price lists, supplier correspondence, contracts and supplier performance data.- Lead sourcing meetings with Category Leaders, Operations, Engineering, Supply Chain, Quality and Supplier and Sourcing Leadership team.- Work with Kohler capital request systems to manage capital investments.

**TECHNICAL**SAP and Power BI experience is preferred.- Contracts- Strong contract clause knowledge, understanding and experience negotiating. Independent ability to edit/revise a variety of standard contract templates and negotiate with suppliers to achieve the most favorable terms for Kohler Co.- Advanced understanding of business law and the ability to work directly with a legal team.- Lead the RFx/acquisition process to secure goods/services in the assigned area of spend to ensure competitiveness and limit risk to Kohler.- Data Analysis- Interpret data sets, identify trends, and use data as a tool to help accomplish goals and communicate.- Total Cost of Ownership and Make vs. Buy calculations.- Price Modeling and Forecasting- Utilize market reports and indexes to identify market trends, forecast and model prices.

**PERSONAL/INTERPERSONAL**Maintain professional ethics, business acumen, self-accountability, and a high level of integrity always.- Development of cross functional relationships through active team roles and support, embracing diverse and global cultures.- Self-starter, self-motivated, ability to work independently, collaborates with teams.- Rely on experience and judgment to plan and accomplish goals.- Communication- Demonstrate clearly articulated speech and writing.- Use active listening skills and empathy to understand others.- Proactively identifies improvements and supports/qualifies/sells ideas to management.- Leadership- Take the lead on projects that will drive your annual goals and metrics forward.- Influence, inspire and motivate others.- Development of cross functional relationships through active team roles and support, embracing diverse and global cultures.- Demonstrate time management and organizational skills that allow for managing many demands simultaneously.- Promotes self-development and the development within teams by all available resources (i.e., training programs, seminars, sharing of best practices, and self-study).

**Skills/Requirements**

**EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE**- Bachelor’s degree in Business, Supply Chain Management, Finance, Operations or Engineering.- 8+ years of Purchasing experience.- Fluent in English (writing and speaking).- Contract clause knowledge, understanding and experience negotiating.- Proven track record of success in procuring, managing a supply base, negotiations and project management.- Ability to create category and project strategy with the understanding of interdependences, risks, and impacts.- Experience with global markets understanding cost elements, market drivers, forecasting methods, modeling tools, and statistical analysis.- Manage and lead multi-location/global projects with expanded awareness of culture, currency, geography, political, and limited international exposure.- Travel is approximately 20%.

**Why Choose Kohler?**
We empower each associate to #BecomeMoreAtKohler with a competitive total rewards package to support your health and wellbeing, access to career growth and development opportunities, a diverse and inclusive workp