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.

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#Procurement #ManufacturingJobs #DenverJobs #Sourcing
#CostOptimization #SupplierManagement #Operations