Cerberus Capital Management

Category Manager – Body Components

Cerberus Capital Management$90K — $120K *
Lisle, IL 60532In-Person
Manufacturing & Automotive
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree and 2 years of procurement experience, OR Master's degree and 1 year of procurement experience, OR 5 years of procurement experience.
  • Experience in automotive or complex engineered product environments.
  • Proven track record of category strategy development and successful sourcing negotiations.
  • Strong technical, commercial, and analytical skills relevant to supplier management.
  • Ability to manage contracts and relationships in a commercial setting.

Responsibilities

  • Develop and execute category strategies for Body Components that align with business objectives.
  • Lead supplier selection and sourcing for new products to enhance technological and quality outcomes.
  • Maintain and negotiate commercial relationships with suppliers, focusing on cost reduction and contract execution.
  • Analyze spend and market dynamics to identify cost savings and improve category performance.
  • Collaborate with cross-functional teams to drive strategic sourcing alignment and execution.
  • Monitor supplier performance metrics and manage risks to ensure supply continuity.
  • Prepare executive-level presentations and reports to support strategic sourcing decisions.

Benefits

  • Comprehensive benefits package for employee wellbeing.
  • Competitive market-based compensation.
Full Job Description
Position Overview

International Motors is seeking a Category Manager – Body Components to join our Procurement Organization. This Category Manager will work cross-functionally with engineering, program management, quality, manufacturing, risk management, finance, aftersales, and supply chain to develop and execute category strategies that support current business and new product launches. The role is accountable for supplier strategy, sourcing execution, commercial negotiations, and supply base performance with a clear focus on balancing Technology, Quality, Delivery, Cost, and Sustainability (TQDCS) in every sourcing and supplier management decision.

The Category Manager will lead strategic sourcing activities across the Body Components portfolio, identify and implement value creation opportunities, manage supplier relationships and contracts, and partner with internal stakeholders to improve business performance, reduce risk, and ensure continuity of supply.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute Body Components category strategies aligned with International Motors business objectives, sourcing priorities, and TQDCS value drivers.• Lead sourcing decisions and supplier selection for new product launches and current business to improve technology, quality, delivery, cost, and sustainability outcomes.• Own the commercial relationship with the assigned supply base, including negotiations, cost reduction roadmaps, contract execution, escalations, and supplier development.• Analyze category spend, supplier cost structures, market dynamics, benchmark data, and should-cost inputs to identify value creation opportunities and mitigate cost increases.• Build fact-based business cases to support sourcing decisions, supplier nominations, and implementation plans.• Lead or support cross-functional category management teams (CMTs) to align sourcing strategies and drive execution across engineering, quality, operations, finance, and supply chain.• Monitor and improve supplier performance in quality, launch readiness, delivery, service, and responsiveness while proactively managing supply continuity and business risk.• Identify and execute opportunities for dual sourcing, localization, footprint optimization, and other actions that strengthen supply resilience and total cost performance.• Prepare executive-level summaries and presentations to support leadership reviews, sourcing approvals, and strategic updates.

Minimum Requirements
  • Bachelor's degree and at least 2 years of purchasing/procurement experience

OR

  • Master's degree and at least 1 year of purchasing/procurement experience

OR

  • At least 5 years of purchasing/procurement experience
Additional Requirements
  • Qualified candidates, excluding current employees, must be legally authorized on an unrestricted basis (US Citizen, Legal Permanent Resident, Refugee or Asylee) to be employed in the United States. We do not anticipate providing employment related work sponsorship for this position (e.g., H-1B status)
Desired Skills

• Experience in automotive, commercial vehicle, manufacturing, or other complex engineered product environments.• Experience managing suppliers or categories within body components or similar portfolios, including mirrors, glass, lighting, wipers, trim, or structures.• Demonstrated success developing category strategies, leading sourcing events and negotiations, and delivering measurable cost and performance improvements.• Strong technical, commercial, and analytical acumen, with the ability to translate engineering, manufacturing, and supplier inputs into sound business decisions.• Ability to negotiate, interpret, and execute commercial agreements and contracts.• Strong project management and prioritization skills, with the ability to manage multiple initiatives and deadlines.• Strong communication and influencing skills, including the ability to work across functions, cultures, and leadership levels and deliver executive-ready recommendations.• Results-oriented mindset with ownership, urgency, and a focus on continuous improvement.

Benefits and Compensation

This position offers competitive market-based compensation, along with a comprehensive benefits package designed to support employee wellbeing. You can learn more about the benefits offered for this position by visiting https://careers.international.com/#benefits.The expected salary offered for this position will fall within the stated range, with the final offer based on the candidates' applicable skills, knowledge, and experience.

About Cerberus Capital Management

Cerberus Capital Management is a private equity firm that specializes in distressed investing. The firm was founded in 1992 by Steve Feinberg and William L. Richter. Cerberus has invested in a variety of industries, including automotive, healthcare, real estate, and retail. The firm is known for its aggressive approach to investing and has been involved in several high-profile deals, including the acquisition of Chrysler in 2007.
Learn more about Cerberus Capital Management
Size
1,000 employees
Industry

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