Category Manager (Purchasing – Industrial)

<h1></h1><h1><b>Job Summary</b></h1><p></p>The Category Manager (Industrial) is a strategic, analytical, and collaborative manager within the Global Indirect Procurement organization, responsible for driving the design, execution, and continuous improvement of high-impact global strategic initiatives in the area of industrial categories CAPEX/MRO and Facility. This role partners closely with global category management community, regional/ local procurement and key business stakeholders to deliver measurable business value, advance procurement excellence, and support the company’s transformation agenda.<br><br>The Manager has the mandate and the responsibility for managing and sourcing a defined set of sub-categories as well as the category-internal vendor management within the defined area of responsibility. This covers organization, steering, performing and measurement of all strategic pooling and sourcing activities<br><br>*This position requires working onsite 3 days per week at our U.S. headquarters in Lake Zurich, IL.<br>*This position does not offer visa sponsorship either now or in the future.<br><br>• Salary Range: $125,000-147,000.<br>• Position is eligible to participate in an annual bonus plan with a target of 10% of the base salary.<br>• Final pay determinations will depend on various factors, including, but not limited to experience level, education, knowledge, skills, and abilities.<br>• Our benefits and programs are comprehensive and thoughtfully crafted to ensure our colleagues live healthy lives and have support when it matters most. Benefits offered include a 401(k) plan with company contributions, paid vacation, holiday and personal days, employee assistance program, and health benefits to include medical, prescription drug, dental and vision coverage.<h1></h1><p style="text-align:inherit"></p><h1><b>Responsibilities</b></h1><h1></h1><p><b>Category Strategy &amp; Governance</b></p><ul><li>Accountable for formulation and implementation of category strategies as part of the overall IP strategy.</li></ul><ul><li>Own category strategy development in alignment with business partners for all global and hybrid categories.</li><li>Conduct comprehensive spend analysis and assess supplier portfolios to inform strategy.</li><li>Drive standardization initiatives such as catalogs, rate cards, and intake‑to‑contract governance.</li></ul><p></p><p><b>Strategic Sourcing &amp; Execution</b></p><ul><li>Lead sourcing execution, including tendering, supplier evaluation, negotiations, and award decisions.</li><li>Manage implementation of global contracts and sourcing initiatives.</li></ul><p></p><p><b>Supplier &amp; Contract Management</b></p><ul><li>Define category‑specific supplier strategies.</li><li>Drive supplier performance evaluation and development actions based on KPIs.</li><li>Oversee contract management activities, including negotiation, lifecycle oversight, and compliance.</li><li>Manage supplier selection, onboarding, and disqualification for global and regional suppliers.</li></ul><p></p><p><b>Stakeholder Management</b></p><ul><li>Engage business partners in category strategy formulation and implementation.</li><li>Influence stakeholders at senior levels and support decision‑making in a matrixed, global environment.</li></ul><p></p><p><b>Value Creation &amp; Continuous Improvement</b></p><ul><li>Drive continuous improvement through spend optimization, process efficiencies, and standardization.</li><li>Monitor performance metrics and ensure continuous enhancement of sourcing and supplier‑management processes.</li></ul><p></p><p><b>Job Requirements</b></p><ul><li>Bachelor’s degree in Business, IT, Supply Chain, Engineering, or a related field; Master’s degree or advanced certifications (e.g., CIPS, CPSM, Lean Six Sigma) are a plus.</li><li>Minimum of 8 years’ experience with the end‑to‑end procurement process (Plan‑to‑Strategy and Source‑to‑Contract), ideally within the Pharma industry or another highly regulated sector.</li><li>Experience managing supplier relationships, including performance oversight and escalation handling.</li><li>Demonstrated ability to work effectively in a global, multicultural, and matrixed environment.</li><li>Willingness to travel up to 20%.</li><li>Advanced proficiency in MS Office applications (Excel, PowerPoint, Word).</li><li>Proficient user of SAP Ariba or similar sourcing tools (Sourcing and Supplier Management modules).</li><li>Working knowledge of SAP ERP for procurement, contract, and supplier master data management.</li><li>Experience with digital procurement tools, dashboards, and data visualization platforms is an advantage.</li></ul><h1></h1><p style="text-align:inherit"></p><h1><b><span>Additional Information</span></b></h1><p style="text-align:inherit"></p><p style="text-align:left"><span>We offer an excellent salary and benefits package including medical, dental and vision coverage, as well as life insurance, <span><span><span><span class="WCO0">disability, 401K</span></span></span></span> with company </span><span>contribution</span><span>, and wellness program. </span></p><p style="text-align:inherit"></p><p style="text-align:left"><span>Fresenius Kabi is an Equal <span><span><span><span class="WCO0">Opportunity/Affirmative</span></span></span></span> Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, citizenship, immigration status, disabilities, or protected veteran status.</span></p>