Category Manager – Service Parts & Accessories

Last date to apply:

The Service Parts & Accessories Category Manager has responsibility for service parts and accessories that support our finished goods and will secure long-term delivery, quality, and cost improvements during the total product lifecycle. The scope of business is 25k active service parts and 1,500 accessories, mainly sourced through external vendors but also with internal vendors (manufacturing sites, overseas distribution centers, etc.…). The main objective is to have a high performing supply base of vendors that will help us meet our customer expectations.

Key initiatives and responsibilities:

• Responsible for commercial relationships with suppliers, securing targeted levels of delivery performance, cost, quality, sustainability, etc.

• Develop and implement strategies that meet customer demands in a cost-efficient way

• Drive value by implementing strategic sourcing and entering into cost efficient agreements that fulfill supply requirements.

• Manage the entire process of a supplier agreement, from submission to legal, expiration alerts, etc.

• Drive supplier performance through vendor scorecards and metrics. Ensure reports are created, updated, accurate, communicated and actioned with report-outs on key vendors

• Develop and implement strategies that actively search for performance improvement and cost reduction opportunities by understanding customer needs, supply market trends and innovation

• Conduct detailed demand, spend, cost and market analysis and a structured approach to tendering and negotiating with suppliers

• Segment suppliers and manage those relationships to drive supplier development and integration for existing, new and potential suppliers

• Works with the planning group to identify critical supply needs and engage the supplier as needed

• Manage purchase prices with vendors proactively or when there is a price dispute; conduct annual price negotiations or as needed.

• Ensure parts are available from suppliers according to 1) our lifecycle policy, (parts to be supplied for 7-10 years after the last production of the finished good, 2) our supply agreements and/or terms sheet

• Implement and enforce supplier agreements and/or “terms sheets”, focused on our largest vendors or worst performing vendors

• Ensure packaging is identified up front with vendors or implement improved packaging requirements

• Works with R&D towards ensuring we have dual sourcing in place

What We Are Looking For:

• Bachelor’s degree in supply chain management, Business Administration or relevant field; Master’s degree and recognized certification in Purchasing/Sourcing preferred

• Minimum 5 years of purchasing/sourcing experience, preferably in commodity management positions; Previous experience in sourcing components from LCC Suppliers preferred

• Previous experience in high-volume fast-paced manufacturing environment preferred

• Extensive knowledge of the aftersales purchasing environment with the capability to analyze business procurement issues, recommend solutions and strategies and implement changes

• Strong knowledge of the strategic sourcing methodology and its application (e.g. fact-based negotiations and cross functional team collaboration)

• Strong knowledge of assigned service part type commodities (e.g. belts, blades, filters, etc.…)

• Demonstrated ability to effectively manage strategic supplier relationships, including relationship building, performance, development, integration and mitigate supplier risk issues

• Strong negotiation skills, including an understanding of legal terms and conditions

• Strong analytical skills, including a demonstrated ability to synthesize, interpret, and communicate market and competitive data 

• Proficient in MS Office software applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Project)

• Ability to maintain confidentiality regarding proprietary company information

• Ability to travel up to 10% to domestic and/or international sites as required

• Position requires minimum of 4 days per week in Charlotte, NC office