Category Management Direct Manager

**SUMMARY / OVERVIEW**:
The Vertiv category manager is a key individual within the procurement organization. It is a complex role that requires a number of skills, qualifications and attributes.

The category manager, in conjunction with key stakeholders, develops, communicates and coordinates the procurement strategy for that commodity for the Americas. This involves an in depth understanding of the market, the technology, supplier sourcing, risk and performance management.

The category manager also needs to be able to minimize risk to Vertiv. In short this means that the manager has to develop an appropriate risk mitigation strategy through an appropriate supplier network maintaining continuity of supply while reducing risk within the supply chain as a whole.

**RESPONSIBILITIES**:

- Development, communication and ongoing refinement of the Vertiv commodity strategy through regular (monthly) engagement with marketing, purchasing, materials management engineering and strategic supply partners to plan, organize and manage strategic and tactical sourcing and procurement efforts
- Development of deep relationships with Marketing, Engineering and Regional Operations teams will be critical to success
- Commercial relationship management of key strategic suppliers, including contract negotiation, pricing, lead-time, inventory performance and monitoring of quality performance (quality and execution)
- Ensure all necessary legal agreements are executed and all supplemental contracts supporting goals and objectives for supply continuity and optimization are completed
- All prices have been negotiated and cost analysis completed against should cost models and internal make costs
- Lead projects focused on reducing waste and improving efficiency and effectiveness of sourcing process
- Manages the development of program budgets, plans, and objectives to meet the goals of the Procurement organization
- Oversight, communication and reporting of commodity performance, including, but not limited to:

- Technology and Innovation trends and progress
- Material Inflation planning & reporting, including risk mitigation and cost reduction strategies and planning towards achieving the Annual Operating Plan (AOP)
- Supply base development and management (supplier strategy, supplier population, preferred supplier list, tier 2 supply planning)
- Working with Quality Assurance to develop and report on continuous improvement programs and ensure detailed performance feedback is communicated to suppliers
- Identify and drive best practices (internal and vendor/supplier) related to sourcing, pricing and total cost contributors, quality, efficiency, speed and responsiveness.

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE
- Bachelor’s degree in an appropriate discipline - Supply Chain Management, Engineering or Business preferred
- 5 years’ experience, specifically in Manufactured assemblies
- CPIM or equivalent is desirable
- Experience in Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) thought process (solutions thinking vs piece part)
- Experience in understanding market trends and developing clear reports that help the organization to understand what is trending and why, in support of business decisions
- Ability to develop KPI’s (Key Performance Indicators) specific to the commodity management, market and TCO
- Experience developing and implementing replenishment programs such as VMI, consignment or kanbans
- Strong negotiation skills are essential along with the ability to manage confidential and sensitive information and having general knowledge of regional trade compliance laws
- Strong analytical and presentation skills are key, along with ability to clearly communicate complex scenarios while managing/leading multiple projects and changing priorities
- Requires very strong interpersonal skills and the ability to develop and cultivate productive and lasting relationships with cross-functional team in a global organization