Summary/ObjectiveThis position serves as the strategic leader for a multimillion-dollar portfolio of funeral and cemetery merchandise and services, driving enterprise-wide value creation through category strategy, total cost of ownership (TCO) optimization, strategic sourcing, supplier partnerships, and product innovation.
Essential Functions- Develops and executes enterprise category strategies that drive sustainable cost savings, revenue growth, margin expansion, and operational efficiencies.
- Partners with executive and cross-functional leadership to shape sourcing strategies, accelerate growth, improve margins and ensure best-in-class supplier performance and product offerings.
- Leads complex strategic sourcing initiatives, supplier selection processes, and high-value contract negotiations to maximize value and mitigate risk.
- Owns category performance by leveraging data-driven insights across sales, margin, spend, inventory, customer demand, and market dynamics.
- Drives product portfolio optimization, assortment strategy, and lifecycle management to enhance customer choice, profitability, and operational effectiveness.
- Builds and manages strategic supplier relationships, establish performance expectations, innovation roadmaps, and continuous improvement initiatives.
- Identifies and executes opportunities for TCO reduction, working capital improvement, revenue generation, and margin enhancement.
- Champions supplier performance management, quality assurance, service excellence, and compliance with contractual obligations.
- Monitors industry trends, emerging technologies, and competitive developments to introduce innovative products and solutions that strengthen market position.
- Ensures adherence to regulatory requirements, quality standards, and corporate governance policies across all assigned categories.
- Influences enterprise decision-making through strategic recommendations, business case development, and executive-level presentations.
- Serves as a key change agent, driving transformation initiatives that improve procurement effectiveness, supplier collaboration, and category performance.
- Performs projects and other duties as assigned.
Competencies- Financial Management.
- Performance Management.
- Ethical Conduct.
- Communication Proficiency.
- Personal Effectiveness/Credibility.
- Customer Service Orientation.
- Time Management.
Required Education, Experience, Certifications and Licensure- Bachelor's degree in Business, Supply Chain Management, Procurement, Marketing, Finance, or related field.
- 10+ years of category management, merchandising, procurement, sourcing, or supplier management experience.
- Valid state issued driver's license in good standing and acceptable driving record.
Preferred Education, Experience, Certifications and Licensure- Funeral/deathcare industry experience preferred.
Additional Eligibility Qualifications- Experience managing product categories and supplier portfolios.
- Strong commercial negotiation and financial analysis skills.
- Skill to analyze data and provide recommendations.
- Excellent written and oral communication.
- Must be able to work independently, prioritizing and meeting multiple deadlines.
- Operates with the highest ethical standards in full compliance with, internal controls, policies, procedures, regulations, and laws.
Supervisory ResponsibilityThis position has no direct supervisory responsibilities
Physical Demands and Work EnvironmentThe physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.
- The duties associated with this position are generally performed in an indoor office setting.
- Equipment used to perform the essential function of this position includes, but is not limited to computer, fax, copier, merchant terminal, multi-line phone system, personal or company owned vehicle.
- Employees in this role are regularly required to climb, sit, stand, bend, kneel, and frequently lift to 25 pounds.
- This position may also require reaching, pushing, and pulling.
- This position may also be exposed to chemicals and/ or blood borne pathogens. Exposure risk is considered: Low
- Overtime is sometimes necessary or required.
Travel- This position may require up to 20 percent out of area and overnight travel.
- Travel is primarily local occurring during the business day only.
Other DutiesPlease note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
