Category Lead
Company: COLAS USA
Job Location: DUNCAN, SOUTH CAROLINA, USA
Type of Contract: Regular
Posting Start Date: 1/29/26
Job Description:
Job SummaryThe Category Lead will be responsible for managing categories of goods or services purchased by Colas USA. They will serve as an expert on these categories, understanding the entire supply chain and articulate the strategy to the rest of the Procurement team and business leaders throughout Colas USA and its subsidiaries. The Category Lead will analyze industry drivers, develop strategies, and oversee pricing and the sourcing process to improve profitability through cost reduction while maintaining supply for the business. Responsibilities include developing and managing procurement resources, finding opportunities through spend analysis, developing sourcing strategies for materials, assets, and services used in the construction industry, creating a Procurement Roadmap, and developing shared goals with the leadership of the region.
Main Responsibilities- Develops a deep and comprehensive understanding of their category of products through data analysis and leverages this knowledge to better position the business.
- Manages and develops supplier performance, relationships, and agreements for their categories, while collaborating with internal and external stakeholders to create a competitive advantage for Colas
Manages cross-functional teams using analysis of historical spend data, market research, and cost modeling to identify and leverage high-value opportunities that deliver innovative and sustainable value, operational efficiencies, and risk mitigation to the business - Interacts with internal business partners to achieve involvement in procurement and proposal activities
- Support low carbon initiatives and work with stakeholders to identify and implement good solutions
- Develop strategic long-term plans to manage and optimize their product categories.
- Coordinates sourcing activities with Corporate Procurement
- Develops negotiation strategies for contracts, works with inside counsel to identify and incorporate appropriate levels of commercial protection, and conducts negotiations to achieve the best possible outcome for the business.
- Provides market and opportunity analysis to stakeholders
Main Responsibilities Continued- Prepares and negotiates contract terms and conditions for agreements
- Analyzes contract documents to determine contractual obligations, and prepares recommendations regarding acceptance or modifications
- Identifies, vets, and selects new vendors and services
- Establishes and maintains professional relationships with suppliers based on the highest ethical business practices.
- Acts as the primary liaison to suppliers within your marketplace and uses market research and spend analysis tools to analyze supplier performance
- Identifies and anticipates business needs; develops recommendations and solutions
- Develops, manages, and influences implementation of policies related to supplier commitments
Skills/Compentencies- Minimum 2-4 years of strategic sourcing experience in a large manufacturing environment with exposure to engineering, plant operations, and/or maintenance required
- Sourcing experience in the indirect, fleet, construction equipment, manufacturing equipment, materials, and/or services is a plus
- Balance of strong negotiation and relationship-building skills is a must
- Experience with spend analysis to develop a sourcing strategy
- Ability to demonstrate leadership in category management and the Strategic Sourcing Process
- Execution oriented, with a strong sense of urgency around tangible results
- Networking and influencing skills
- Project Management Skills - Ability to organize and execute tasks; manage multiple projects
- Effective decision making
- Well-developed communication and negotiation skills
- Category strategy development and execution
- Strong time management, organizational, and presentation skills
- Ability to work under pressure with deadlines
- Ability to transfer knowledge to others
- Experience working with e-procurement tools
- Ability to Travel 25-50% of the time to subsidiaries and supplier sites
- Proficient in Microsoft Office specifically Word, PowerPoint, and Excel
Education- Bachelor's Degree Required, Master's Degree or M.B.A. preferred
Information at a Glance
