Category Manager

Join Gibson, the iconic brand known for crafting legendary guitars and shaping music history. As a Category Manager, you will develop and implement procurement strategies that optimize business partnerships with strategic suppliers, driving performance in quality, cost, service, technology, and innovation. Your responsibilities will include supplier selection, contract and price negotiations, supplier risk management, and strategic problem resolution. As an expert in your categories, you will drive continuous improvements with suppliers. This role requires a hands-on, experienced professional who thrives in a fast-paced, high-growth, multi-functional, matrixed, and international team. We seek a high-energy team player with a "get the job done" attitude.

Essential Functions

• Develop and implement strategies for assigned categories.
• Develop deep knowledge of categories and services, serving as a thought leader within the organization.
• Maintain current knowledge of company products, manufacturing operations, and market trends.
• Align business strategy with category strategy.
• Analyze primary cost drivers, quality, and item inhibitors throughout the supply chain, developing strategies and action plans to reduce or eliminate them.
• Lead cross-functional teams through the sourcing process, ensuring sourcing decisions align with overall business unit/division strategy.
• Negotiate with suppliers to secure optimal cost, schedule, quality, payment, and delivery terms.
• Develop and execute action plans to eliminate or minimize risk from the supply base.
• Conduct cross-functional value engineering/analysis projects targeting specific products for material waste reductions, cost reduction, and continuous improvement opportunities focused on quality.
• Lead cost reduction initiatives to achieve targeted savings.
• Support Product Development by obtaining competitive quotes, tooling information, and First Article samples for program launches.
• Collaborate with buyer/planners on smooth transitions when changing parts or suppliers, annual requirements, contracts, and negotiations.
• Support Quality in driving suppliers to 100% quality.
• Ensure Buyer/Planners achieve 100% on-time deliveries.
• Drive supplier lead-time reductions to meet customer needs.
• Identify areas of improvement in the supply of materials and services within assigned areas.
• Prepare data for make versus buy decisions.
• Ensure effective selection, qualification, management, and performance of suppliers.
• Collaborate with the Accounts Payable team to leverage the company's cash position in paying supplier invoices.
• Periodic travel to and between the company’s manufacturing and supplier locations will be required (approximately 20-30%).
  
  

Other Duties

• Perform other duties that are reasonable within the area of expertise as assigned.
  
  

Required Skills/Abilities

• Collaborative team player with a positive attitude.
• Highly skilled negotiator fluent in contracts and pricing issues.
• Results-oriented with a focus on business priorities and a record of successful accomplishments.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, problem-solving abilities, and facilitation skills, capable of communicating technical expertise to suppliers and all organizational levels.
• Excellent supplier relationship management.
• Ability to lead and manage complex cross-functional teams on projects to drive savings.
• Proficient in managing multiple assignments concurrently, assessing and managing priorities to meet deadlines.
• Self-starter with excellent analytical skills, capable of identifying problems/opportunities for improvement, assessing viable solutions, and executing complex projects and comprehensive action plans.
• Ability to develop key working relationships at all levels, perform value analysis techniques, and plan and implement independently as a key leader on category teams.
  
  

Education And Experience

• 10+ years of category management/purchasing/sourcing experience with a major manufacturing organization.
• Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) in supply chain, business, finance, management, or a related field.
  
  

Physical Demands

• Basic physical stances and actions (sitting, standing, walking)
  
  

Why Join Gibson?

• Be part of a legendary brand that has shaped music history.
• Collaborate with passionate and talented individuals in a dynamic and innovative environment.
• Drive meaningful impact in the supply chain, contributing to the creation of world-class guitars.
• Enjoy opportunities for professional growth and development within a company that values excellence and creativity.
  
  

We celebrate diversity and Gibson Brands, Inc is an Equal Opportunity employer.