Category Manager, Supply Transformation -The Toro Company

Who Are We?

The Toro Company is a homegrown, Minnesota-based company that has been in business since 1914. We pride ourselves on providing world-class equipment to help maintain the environment that we love, while putting an emphasis on giving back to the communities that surround us. From residential lawns and gardens, to venues such as St Andrews Links and Target Field, we are a company with a global footprint and a passion for helping people beautify whatever landscape they may be in. With 100 years of operation under our belt and an average employee tenure of 15 years, come find out what makes The Toro Company the best place in the Twin Cities to build a career. 

As a Category Manager you will transform TTC supply base through vision, market research, strategy, and rapid execution of sourcing events, negotiations, contracts, and supplier transitions. Deliver best in class supply chains for targeted commodities that are highly competitive in total cost of ownership (TCO) with industry leading quality and delivery performance.  

What Will You Do?

• Lead commodity strategy development for assigned commodities that incorporates customer requirements, product requirements, market conditions, business risk, and supplier capabilities to identify short term, midterm, and long term action plans to transform supply base.

• Execute defined action plans to deliver bottom line savings for the business and ensure top level performance.

• Deliver significant improvements in cost productivity, spend under contract, and supply consolidation.

• Communicate on a continuous basis with internal customers to understand business objectives, expectations and specific requirements.

• Challenge internal stakeholders to prioritize and focus needs vs. wants to consolidate suppliers across a multidivisional enterprise.

• Develop and maintain knowledge of market conditions, trends, sources of supply and supplier capabilities for materials, equipment and services within assigned commodities.

• Host kickoff events to set expectations with current and potential suppliers in assigned categories.

• Lead sourcing negotiations with all levels of supplier contacts to establish terms of contracts, memorandum of understanding and schedule agreements.

• Define and track appropriate metrics for total cost reduction, provide data and input to business and corporate metrics and forecasts.

• Establish sources and alternate sources of supply to enhance means of meeting purchase requirements and achieving best total delivered cost, quality, service, and technology.

• Develop, maintain and strengthen long-term supplier relationships.

• Provide work direction to buyers and analysts as needed.

• Travel 30% on average, up to 50% during peak.

• Any special tasks, assignments, and projects as assigned.

Job Dimensions

Interfacing with commodity buyer, supplier quality engineer, advanced sourcing managers, product managers, engineering, legal, manufacturing facilities and suppliers. This position is responsible for strategic sourcing activities for the assigned set of commodities. Travel both domestic and/or international will be required.

What Do You Need?

• Bachelor’s degree in Operations, Engineering, Supply Chain or Business; Master’s degree preferred

• Institute of Supply Management (ISM) certification (CPSM, CPM) or equivalent, preferred

• Minimum of 5 years of supply chain experience; sourcing technical and mechanical/electrical equipment-related components or equivalent preferred

• Demonstrated experience in: negotiation, forecasting, leading cross-functional teams, working with various levels of management, understanding commodity markets, partnering with engineers, and working with and developing international vendors

• Experience in sourcing parts/assemblies globally (Mexico, India, China and Europe) strongly desired

• Skilled in Microsoft Office Suite

• Excellent written and verbal communications

• Strong interpersonal, facilitation and team leadership skills

• Strong analytical abilities and research skills, including using internet sources as a resource

• Skilled in reading and interpreting engineering drawings and blueprints

• Understanding of enterprise purchasing and planning systems such as SAP and analytical tools

What Can We Give You?