Category Manager - Direct Spend

Category Manager - Direct Spend

Job Description - the ideal candidate will:

• Understand total spend, pricing structure, commercial terms and trends for raw materials, semi-finished goods and purchased finished goods.
• Leverage market knowledge, specifically on cost and supply/demand drivers to improve ability to source materials to drive positive position Smith and Nephew's versus industry.
• Responsible for setting strategic direction for the procurement of global raw materials and components used in the manufacturing of medical devices.
• Collaborate with Smith + Nephew's Global Procurement and Operations to establish a global material strategy.
• Work collaboratively business leaders, suppliers and customers to develop innovative sourcing arrangements to reduce costs and risks; negotiate complex contracts for procurement of these strategic materials.
• Develop an understanding of Smith + Nephew's product lines, market strategy, competition, technology, to establish the link between raw material and product pricing
• Lead cross-functional business activities that identify, qualify, negotiate and successfully implement new suppliers. Understand manufacturing processes in order to ensure supply, deflation, and business profitability.
• Lead the sourcing for New Products through object analysis.
• Utilize Six Sigma and Lean tools to drive continuous improvement in the sourcing processes and to drive supplier productivity and development projects.

Location: Memphis TN, Andover MA, Mansfield MA, Oklahoma City OK, or Remote

Qualifications:

• BS/MS in Bachelors' Degree in Business, Economics, Finance, Statistics, or a relevant field of work, or an equivalent combination of education and work-related experience.
• 5 years' experience with strategic procurement responsibility

Competencies:

• Should have a strong knowledge of direct material categories (i.e. machining, packaging, forging and casting) and associated commodity inputs (i.e. titanium, stainless steel, cobalt chrome, plastic, cotton and chemicals).
• Proven and demonstrated successful experience and ability to think strategically about procurement in the context of overall business strategy.
• Strong ability to assess the market dynamics of key raw material and component related industries and adapt the procurement strategy to industry trends and other key external factors.
• Proven track record for innovative approaches resulting in "game-changing" opportunities, which placed the business in a competitively advantaged position in the market.
• Strong analytical skills, including cost analysis, financial skills, project management skills and contracts. Excellent interpersonal, communication and presentation skills.
• Fluency in English. Proficiency in other language(s) desired.
• Strong computer skills including use of SAP, Ariba and Microsoft Office suite.

Travel: up to 25% may be required.

Remote work is possible but being located near Mansfield MA, Andover MA, Memphis TN, Oklahoma City, OK or Costa Rica facilities preferred.

Smith+Nephew provides equal employment opportunities to applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, or disability.