Global Category Manager, Global Procurement

Job description

Position Summary

The Global Category Manager (GCM) owns the supply panel strategy, category economics, and supplier management for assigned categories across all regions. The role is the single source of truth for category cost models, supplier segmentation, and long-term commercial frameworks — driving should-cost discipline, demand aggregation, and supply panel governance. The GCM coordinates across Product Line Leaders and Regional Category Managers to ensure category strategies are aligned to product roadmaps, NPI timelines, and enterprise cost targets.

Within the global procurement team, this role serves as the category strategy owner — setting the multi-year supply market vision, governing the supplier panel, and driving should-cost discipline across all assigned category spend.

Responsibilities

Own supply panel strategy: ASL governance, dual-source qualification, demand aggregation, and supplier consolidation across all assigned category spend. Govern long-term commercial frameworks (LTAs, MSAs, SOWs, capacity reservations, and commodity hedging) - transitioning to outcome-based contracting. Coordinate with Procurement Product Line Leaders to drive early NPI engagement at Gate 0–1.

Own supplier innovation partnerships

Advanced Technology Partner (ATP) engagements, technology pipelines, and co-investment strategies with key suppliers.

Drive cost model governance

should-cost discipline, TCO frameworks, and supplier cost challenge across all category spend.

Oversee supply panel diversification

alternate source qualification to eliminate single-source risk and regional panel coordination for commercial alignment. Own Supplier Code of Conduct and Responsible Business compliance across all assigned category spend.

Drive supplier segmentation

Strategic / Critical / Important / Transactional. Lead supplier negotiations and ensure competitive commercial terms across all regions. Implement robust supplier performance management frameworks covering cost, quality, delivery, and innovation.

Qualifications

12+ years of experience in procurement, category management, or supply chain within a global, multi-national organization. Proven track record in category strategy development and execution across complex global supply bases. Experience managing global supplier relationships, including LTA negotiation, supplier development, and performance management. Demonstrated ability to drive cost reduction through should-cost modelling, TCO analysis, and value engineering.

Strong commercial acumen and negotiation skills at senior supplier level. Experience working within matrixed organizations with both vertical and horizontal reporting structures.

Preferred

experience in power systems, thermal systems, electronics, or industrial technology sectors.

experience integrating procurement into product development (NPDI or equivalent lifecycle processes).

Time Travel Required 25% OUR STRATEGIC PRIORITIES Customer Focus Operational Excellence High-Performance Culture Innovation Financial Strength OUR BEHAVIORS Own It Act With Urgency

• Foster a Customer-First Mindset Think Big and Execute
• Promote transparent and open communication
• Lead by Example Drive Continuous Improvement
• Learn and Seek Out Development #LI-DR2