Associate Category Leader

As an Associate Category Leader within the K&B Strategic Sourcing team, you will be responsible for all aspects of strategic sourcing for machined components. You will be charged with taking a lead role in developing category strategies and project plans, engaging with stakeholders to understand their needs, and gain buy-in. You will manage supplier relationships including leading supplier performance reviews with key stakeholders. A wide degree of creativity and latitude is required.Reports to Sr. Manager Sourcing - Faucets**POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES**- Lead the strategic sourcing process of team formation, research, evaluation, and structure. To include RFQ development, quotation reviews, supplier/contract negotiations and supplier development for capital equipment.- Manage the design and implementation of category strategies to attain year over year cost reduction for the machining and metals categories as well as product quality/delivery improvements.- Own the supplier relationship for key suppliers in designated spend category while leading negotiations with suppliers to deliver stated objectives.- Maintain a working knowledge of world-class supply chain processes to ensure that existing processes are targeted to attain excellence versus industry benchmarks.- Execute supplier contracts to meet business needs with consideration of business law and intellectual property.- Manage additional purchasing best practices such as Stocking agreements, Consignment Programs, Payment terms extension, Rebates and Discount structures. Emphasis on finding mutually beneficial solutions that protect Kohler’s supply, ensure consistent quality, and show favorable costs.- Manage purchasing related risks in a professional manner.- Lead sourcing meetings with Engineering, Quality, Manufacturing etc. to reach consensus on sourcing strategy, and support effective roll out of best practice.- Maintaining ongoing supplier performance data for periodic internal/external review- Directing regular supplier performance reviews and development of improvement plans- Lead and initiate projects with strategic and preferred suppliers to identify and resource productivity/cost down initiatives through VA/VE tools.- Drive leading edge procurement by working closely with the supply base and the Supplier Development team to actively integrate the suppliers into Kohler plants.- Work closely with plant operations, Supplier Quality, and engineering to ensure the quality and delivery of the raw materials. This role requires prompt communication on quality issues or shipment delays.**REQUIRED COMPETENCIES**Business/TechnologyUnderstand legal Interpretation of contract T&Cs and proficient in working with Domestic & International Law. Involved in the Acquisition and/or re-sale of Intellectual Property. Understanding potential differing needs between Internal & External customers. Consistently exceed customer expectations by dealing with internal complexities across multi or global organization in a manner invisible to customers.Ability to construct and manage complex, sophisticated commercial arrangements; Experienced in negotiating/managing point-to-point purchase agreements. Ability to construct value stream (profit margin) industry maps, utilize advanced financial techniques (commodity hedging), and build market comparable cost analysis.Ability to create spend category strategy with the understanding of interdependences, risks, and impact of strategy by business unit. Able to develop & implement contingency planning processes.Provides solution/alternatives to improvement ideas. Takes initiative to undertake improvement opportunities that are global in scope and complexity, setting strategies for process improvements that impact the work product of the department. Drives one company one process initiatives. Skilled in implementing continuous improvement opportunities within the supply base.InterpersonalCommunicates departmental vision and goals, creating atmosphere of open communication. Provides presentation opportunities for developing talent visibility with senior management. Issues undertaken are significant in scope and complexity. Actively supports change opportunities to maximize personal, departmental and/or company performance. Influences relationships, proficient in market research and capable of reacting to the speed of the industry. Recognizes and capitalizes on team dynamics, seeking out both internal and external opportunities for a team environment. Identifies critical relationship building opportunities.ManagerialLeads multi-location projects and actively participates and supports professional development, for both associates and department as a whole. Develops strategic plans and goals while understanding industry direction and influences that force change. Shares the vision both internally and externally.**EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS**Bachelor’s Degree in Supply Chain Managem