Global Category Manager

At Rite-Hite, your work makes an impact. As the global leader in loading dock and door equipment, we design and deliver solutions that keep our customers safe, secure, and productive. Here, you’ll find innovation, stability, and the chance to grow your career as part of a team that’s always looking ahead.

The Global Category Manager plays a pivotal role within our Procurement organization, overseeing global category management for assigned materials, products, and services across all Product Business Units within the Global Products Organization. Assigned categories may include Hardware, Rental Equipment, Uniforms, Facilities, Maintenance, Repair and Operations Materials.

As a procurement Subject Matter Expert (SME), the GCM will lead sourcing and category strategies, manage supplier relationships, and drive performance across a complex, global supply base.

Job Responsibilities:

Manage assigned global category spend of $40M-$60M, with a strategic focus on cost optimization, quality, innovation, and supply chain resilience. Lead end-to-end sourcing activities, including RFI, RFQ, and RFP processes, for assigned materials, products, and services. Serve as the primary business interface with category suppliers, overseeing supplier relationship management, continuity of supply, risk mitigation, commercial negotiations, and seamless execution from New Product Introduction (NPI) through Mass Production (MP).

Internal Stakeholders: Collaborate effectively with key stakeholders, including Engineering, Operations, Quality, Finance, and business unit Procurement, to understand category requirements, ensure supplier qualification, and maintain quality and service standards.

Cross-functional Teams: Partner with business unit Procurement, Engineering, Operations, and Quality teams to facilitate supplier selection, qualification, transitions, and performance improvement. Support NPI teams by leveraging preferred supplier programs.

Category Strategy: Develop, maintain, and execute comprehensive category strategies aligned with business priorities, market intelligence, demand requirements, risk considerations, and procurement best practices.

Cost Optimization: Deliver cost improvements through competitive sourcing, commercial negotiations, demand management, standardization, and continuous improvement initiatives, including Total Cost of Ownership (TCO), VA/VE, should-cost modeling, and design-to-cost approaches, as applicable.

Commercial Terms and Working Capital: Negotiate favorable pricing, payment terms, lead times, service levels, and other commercial terms. Evaluate supply chain financing or other working-capital solutions when appropriate.

Supplier Segmentation: Segment suppliers based on business impact, risk, capability, and strategic value, and expand the Preferred Supplier Program based on category and business requirements.

Contract Lifecycle: Manage the contract lifecycle in partnership with appropriate stakeholders, supporting compliance, value realization, and continuity of supply.

Supplier Selection: Conduct thorough RFx and supplier evaluation processes to select suppliers and negotiate competitive terms and conditions.

Supplier Risk Mitigation: Identify, assess, and mitigate supplier and category risks, including financial, geopolitical, capacity, quality, delivery, cybersecurity, sustainability, and compliance considerations, as applicable.

Supplier Relationships: Lead Supplier Relationship Management (SRM) activities and regular supplier reviews to ensure performance meets business objectives for quality, cost, delivery, innovation, and service.

Performance Management: Meet or exceed key performance indicators (KPIs) related to cost, quality, delivery, working capital, risk, and supplier performance.

Minimum Job Requirements:

Bachelor’s degree in engineering, Supply Chain, Business, Operations or related field; master’s degree is a plus.

Minimum 8 years of progressive procurement, strategic sourcing, or category management experience with responsibility for large-scale, complex, or global categories. Experience may span direct materials, indirect materials, products, and/or services.

Demonstrated ability to learn and manage diverse categories. Working knowledge of relevant supply markets, cost drivers, supplier capabilities, and industry trends. Proficiency in data analysis and relevant procurement tools.

Proven ability to assess, negotiate, and manage suppliers effectively. Strong collaboration, facilitation, and conflict resolution skills in a matrixed environment.

Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

Willingness to travel up to 25% domestically and internationally

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

A strategic thinker with strong analytical and problem-solving skills.

Results-oriented and thrive in achieving ambitious goals.

An effective communicator and collaborator with excellent interpersonal skills. Proactive, self-motivated, and capable of working independently and in teams.

Passionate about continuous improvement and innovation. This role offers a challenging and rewarding opportunity to contribute to the success of a global leader in building technologies.

Preferred Job Requirements

Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, especially Excel.

Experience with ERP systems (e.g., Oracle, JD Edwards) preferred.

What We Offer

At Rite-Hite, we take care of our people – because when you’re supported, you can do your best work. Our benefits are designed to support your health, your future and your life outside of work:

Health & Well-being: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, plus life and disability insurance. A robust well-being program with an opportunity to receive an extra day off and more.

Financial Security: A strong retirement savings program with 401(k), company match, and profit sharing.

Time for You: Paid holidays, vacation time, and personal/sick days each year.

Join us and build a career where you’re supported – at work and beyond.