Category Manager – Direct Materials

Category Manager – Direct Materials Manufacturing | Supply Chain Strategy Denver, CO (Hybrid: 3 days onsite / 2 remote) $100K–$120K Base + Full Benefits Own the Strategy Behind What Gets Built We're partnering with a leading, innovation-driven manufacturing organization seeking a Category Manager – Direct Materials to drive sourcing strategy, supplier performance, and cost optimization across a multi-site operation. This is not a transactional purchasing role. This is a high-impact, strategic seat where you will: Influence millions in spend Partner directly with R&D, Product, and Operations Shape the supply chain strategy of a growing enterprise What You'll Own: Strategic Sourcing & Cost Leadership Develop and execute data-driven sourcing strategies across direct materials categories Build and leverage should-cost models to guide negotiations and long-term savings Deliver measurable year-over-year cost reductions through: Competitive sourcing Supplier negotiations Value engineering Supplier & Contract Management Own supplier relationships across performance, quality, and cost Lead supplier development initiatives to elevate capability and reliability Manage contracts end-to-end, ensuring compliance and performance Cross-Functional Leadership Partner with: R&D and Product Teams on new materials and innovation Operations and Quality on execution and performance Act as the commercial voice of supply chain strategy across the business Risk Management & Supply Continuity Proactively identify supply risks and implement mitigation strategies Lead root-cause analysis and corrective actions for disruptions Ensure uninterrupted supply across multiple facilities What You Bring: Must-Have 5–7+ years in supply chain / sourcing within manufacturing Proven experience sourcing direct/raw materials (non-negotiable) Experience managing $20M+ in spend Strong contract negotiation and supplier management experience Hands-on experience with should-cost modeling / cost analysis ERP experience (SAP or similar) What Gets You Interviewed FAST Background in multi-site manufacturing environments Experience partnering with R&D / product teams CPSM certification (or similar) Track record of cost savings + supplier optimization Why This Role Stands Out: High visibility + strategic influence Direct ownership of significant spend categories True partnership with innovation teams (R&D / Product) Opportunity to drive process improvement + supply chain transformation Hybrid flexibility in a strong Denver-based operation Why Work With Us (Your Differentiator) We are not a resume-forwarding firm. We are a strategic talent partner known for: Precision matching — we only bring you roles that align Speed + transparency — no black box recruiting Direct client access — your experience is represented accurately Long-term partnership — we support your career, not just this role Our candidates consistently say: This was the most efficient and aligned process I've experienced. If you're ready to take ownership of strategic sourcing at scale and drive real business impact—we should connect. #CategoryManager #SupplyChain #StrategicSourcing #DirectMaterials #Procurement #ManufacturingJobs #DenverJobs #Sourcing #CostOptimization #SupplierManagement #Operations