OVERVIEW:

The Director of Category Management is responsible for implementing the organization's strategies and goals for supplier relationships and inventory management. This position will manage 3-4 sub teams, each sub team will be composed of a Category Manager, multiple purchasing Buyers, and Support Representatives.

The Director of Category Management will drive cost savings initiatives and implement KPI's to evaluate and improve upon current processes.

CORE RESPONSIBITLIES include the following and all other duties assigned:

• Deliver excellence in category management and purchasing activities including building vendor relationships, negotiations, and inventory management.
• Manages and directs work of functional team, including hiring, corrective action, performance appraisals and pay review, budget and processes.
• Ability to lead and motivate a large team, manage performance, and foster a collaborative and productive work environment in accordance to Wurth basic principles.
• Implement training programs to ensure staff are equipped with necessary skills and knowledge, including new employee onboarding.
• Manage workforce planning, staffing, and labor relations to meet operational requirements.
• Manage blended teams of category managers, purchasing buyers, and support representatives to ensure the teams are working together to achieve company goals and initiatives.
• Identify cost reduction opportunities and implement strategies and processes that will foster a reduction in COGS and prohibit the growth of E&O inventory.
• Challenge of existing ways of working in pursuit of opportunities for cost reduction and value improvement.
• Manage tracking and reporting on category management and inventory management performance, identifying areas for improvement and reporting monthly on KPI's.
• Provides candid information and recommendations to the VP-Inventory & Category Mgmt in regard to personnel, procedural methods, issues, systems structure, or any other improvements.
• Perform any other special projects that are necessary for the advancement, efficiency and effectiveness of the Department.

EDUCATION, QUALIFICATIONS, SKILLS & ABILITIES:

• Bachelor's degree and 10 years related experience; or equivalent combination of education and experience in a similar field is acceptable.
• Ability to lead cross-functional initiatives and manage teams of people.
• Must have strong analytical, problem-solving, and leadership skills. Strong collaborative skills.
• Business travel required.
• Exhibit and maintain confidentiality with company related issues and materials.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills. Strong leadership, coaching and delegating abilities.
• Ability to initiate programs and ideas to increase the effectiveness of the department. Able to be organized, thorough and accurate.
• Ability to be objective and open-minded when working with other associates, team leaders and managers to resolve problems, complaints and/or system procedural issues. Able to work independently or as a team player.
• Ability to use personal computers and applicable computer software. Appropriate dress for business setting with good personal hygiene habits.
• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, or governmental regulations and keep abreast of any purchasing related issues.
• Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, team leaders and associates and vendors.
• Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent. Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, proportions, percentages, area, and volume.
• Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists.
• Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form. Must possess decision making skills.

Pay Range: Starting at $153,000

Pay is based on several factors which vary based on position. These include labor markets and, in some instances, may include education, skills, work experience and certifications. You may also be eligible to participate in an annual incentive bonus. An incentive bonus, if any, depends on various factors such as organizational performance.

The Wurth Difference:

• Proactive supply chain solutions customized to your business, your industry
• Industrial products and services delivered with prompt, personal attention
• Inventory management solutions that keep your production line moving smoothly
• Complete program support from initial design, to implementation, training, to ongoing analysis

Why Wurth:

• Maternity/Paternal leave after 1 year of service
• Tuition Reimbursement eligible after 1 year of service
• Health benefits and programs - medical, vision, dental, life insurance and more
• Additional benefits 401(k), short term disability, long term disability
• Paid Time Off, accrued per pay period, additional day earned per year of service
• 10 paid holidays

FIND OUT MORE ABOUT OUR COMPANY CULTURE:

• Linkedln - https://www.linkedin.com/company/wurth-industry-north-america
• Facebook - https://facebook.com/Wurthlndustry
• YouTube - https://youtube.com/c/WurthlndustryNorthAmerica

EEOC STATEMENT:

The Wurth Industry North America group of companies are Equal Opportunity Employers and do not discriminate on the basis of an individual's sex, age, race, color, creed, national origin, alienage, religion, marital status, pregnancy, sexual orientation or affectional preference, genetic trait or predisposition, carrier status, citizenship, veteran or military status, and other personal characteristics protected by law. All applications will receive consideration for employment without regard to legally protected characteristics. Wurth will consider qualified applicants, including those with criminal histories, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable federal, state and local laws.