What’s the job?

The Sr. Category Manager owns and manages the North American purchasing strategy for assigned categories that fall within the scope of the Indirect Purchasing team, leading site purchasing optimization Strategy and Project prioritization. In this capacity, the Sr. Category Manager is responsible for all aspects of category management for these strategic and complex purchase categories across all business units in North America. Additionally, this position is responsible for leading other Category Managers and providing guidance to positively impact their professional development as future Saint-Gobain leaders.

Strategy

Validate and ensure execution of the Indirect Purchasing strategy to optimize site purchases at Saint-Gobain in North America with est. $650MM+ spend responsibility across Indirect site purchasing categories. The Strategy will align with corporative initiatives, properly translating these goals into tangible actions and deliverables that incorporate business unit specific requirements approved by Purchasing leaders across North America. Establish and lead cross-functional teams to develop, advocate, and implement best-in-class purchasing category strategies to achieve short and long-term objectives, working closely with related internal departments (e.g. Purchasing Operations, EHS, Finance, Legal, Real Estate) to ensure success. Maintain an understanding of industry purchasing best practices, sustainability and technology trends and continually educate team members and business partners; effectively communicate applicable industry information to relevant stakeholders and leadership. Pioneer changes in process after identifying Market best practices. Proactively develop and manage strategy with Site Purchase suppliers to identify large-scale improvements across multiple sites including requirements for supplier reporting of program benefits and future opportunities where success is measured by feedback from the factory floor.

Sourcing and Contract Management

Develop, lead, and maintain sourcing activities that deliver the category strategy objectives:  Identify spend, control sourcing strategy, and lead all sourcing, supplier negotiations, contract negotiations, and supplier selection to optimize the value proposition and drive savings associated with the various categories of indirect spend for North American businesses.  Initiate team utilization of digital purchasing e-Tools. Act as the link that harmonizes Site Purchases Optimization Strategy and align it with the Global Purchasing Teams (Paris) upstream as well as downstream to localized Site Purchasing teams in Saint-Gobain North America plants. Lead contractual discussion with Vendors, engaging risk partners (Commercial Legal Counsel, IP Legal Counsel, Insurance, Cyber-security, etc.) according to project requirements and ensure a successful transition from the sourcing process to achieve the required business and functional needs; Finally, ensure all project documentation is maintained per policies. Maintain a robust contract management process with SLA tracking, periodic Executive meetings or through any other necessary channels to guarantee purchases are delivered as negotiated between the Parties.