Category Manager 2, Freight

This position owns the development and execution of strategic sourcing plans for defined spending categories. This includes, defining and leading the sourcing strategy across all phases. Conducting market analysis, selecting suppliers, and managing supplier relationships. Mitigating supply risks, negotiating contracts, and achieving procurement goals. Possessing deep subject matter expertise in the Freight category and understanding market trends.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Create and lead the implementation of a comprehensive Category strategy aligned to stakeholder’s goals and Cook Medical goals.
• Develop and or support a robust Category strategy for all assigned areas ensuring alignment to the business needs including, but not limited to consideration of market trends, application of technology, risk management, quality assurance, data protection, information security, compliance, processes, and benchmarking.
• Effectively manage key stakeholders related to the assigned Category/.
• Apply a robust RFx strategic sourcing methodology and negotiate supplier agreements/contracts for goods and services.
• Solve complex problems important to the success of the organization and draw on experience to successfully negotiate lowest total cost of ownership/best price, OTD, Lead-Times, Customer Satisfaction, and Quality.
• Oversee the supplier assessment and supplier qualification process.
• Provide category expertise to the global business.
• Build strong relationships with our top defined suppliers and partners.
• Frequently interact with and effectively communicate to senior leadership.
• Identify opportunities for the deployment of new technologies for enabling processes which support the Category.
• Analyze price and costs with the intention of benchmarking best practices and pricing.
• Assess internal & external client requirements and translate those requirements to meet stakeholder expectations.
• Lead Market Analysis.
• Must work and interact effectively and professionally with others throughout various levels of the global organization.
• Ability to work in collaborative and independent work situations and environments with minimal supervision.
• Lead the Supplier Relationship Management for the top suppliers defined to be part of the program, including the provision of a Supplier Scorecard.

This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed. This position is expected to follow other job-related instructions and duties.

Education and/or Work Experience Requirements:

• Requires a Bachelor’s degree (Master’s Degree a plus), or relevant equivalent experience.
• Minimum 10 years of prior relevant experience, Freight experience strongly preferred. 
• A minimum of 5 years of experience working in a complex supply chain organization.
• Requires deep knowledge of project management.
• Requires advanced analytical skills and utilization of data analysis tools to inform strategic decision-making.
• CPSM or CPM or other certification desired.

Qualification Requirements:

• Demonstrated leadership, interpersonal skills and teamwork.
• Work effectively with internal and supplier personnel at all levels, including senior management.
• Requires mastery level knowledge of job area typically obtained through advanced education combined with experience.
• May have deep knowledge of project management.
• Must be knowledgeable of procurement systems, tools, policies, and procedures.
• Both Direct and Indirect Procurement experience a plus.

Physical Requirements:

• Requires occasional early morning or evening teleconferences.   
• Works under general office environmental conditions, with sitting for extended periods.  
• Utilizes close visual acuity for working with computers and equipment. 
• Must be able to perform the essential functions of the job, subject to reasonable accommodation under national disability requirements.
• May travel domestically and internationally as needed.