About the RoleRole PurposeThis role will serve as the strategic owner of Category Management and Supplier Relationship Management for RS Americas, with a mandate to design and build a high-performing direct procurement function that enhances cost control, drives profitability, and strengthens our competitive position.
The leader in this role will shape and execute the long-term supplier and category strategy, blending deep relationship management with operational rigor to ensure consistent delivery of business outcomes. Success requires strong cross-functional leadership, the ability to influence at all levels, and a disciplined approach to supplier performance, sourcing strategy, and commercial execution.
This position will be accountable for developing a cohesive supplier ecosystem, optimizing category performance, and ensuring alignment across commercial, operations, finance, and supply chain teams to bring our strategy to life.
ResponsibilitiesInventory Optimization & AnalyticsDirect Procurement & Supplier Strategy- Build and lead a direct procurement organization responsible for sourcing, cost negotiations, supplier performance management, and end-to-end cost transparency.
- Develop category strategies that reduce cost-to-serve, improve customer experience and overall solution flexibility.
- Implement standardized procurement processes, cost modelling, review and strategy of cost increase review process, and supplier scorecards.
- Partner with Finance to ensure full visibility to landed cost, rebates, and margin impacts from ship & debit functions.
- Strengthen supplier partnerships through structured business reviews, performance metrics, and long term strategic planning.
Cross-Functional Leadership- Collaborate with Sales, Pricing, Product Management, Operations, and Finance to align inventory, pricing, and procurement decisions with commercial strategy.
- Lead root-cause analysis and corrective action plans for supply chain bottlenecks, service failures, or cost variances.
- Drive a culture of continuous improvement, data-driven decision making, and cross-functional accountability.
- Serve as a key advisor to the SVP, Product & Supply Chain on inventory, supplier strategy, and profitability initiatives.
Operational Execution- Improve supplier collaboration through S&OP, and shared forecasting processes.
- Ensure operational readiness for new product introductions, supplier transitions, and category expansions.
How I make a difference in this role- A fully functioning direct procurement team is established with clear processes, supplier scorecards, and cost-reduction wins.
- Cross-functional teams operate with shared KPIs and a unified approach to inventory and profitability.
- Supplier performance improves through structured governance, cost transparency, and strategic sourcing initiatives.
- The organization gains full visibility to total landed cost, enabling smarter pricing, procurement, and commercial decisions.
Candidate RequirementsEssential Skills & Experience- 15+ years of progressive leadership experience in procurement, category management, or related disciplines.
- 10+ years leading multi-disciplinary teams in complex, matrixed environments.
- Proven leadership in procurement, or category management within a distributor, manufacturer, or large retailer.
- Deep product knowledge in industrial automation, controls and electrical components (e.g., Siemens, Schneider, Phoenix Contact, ABB, Eaton, etc.)
- Demonstrated success improving optimizing SKU portfolios.
- Demonstrated success expanding product portfolios or managing category growth in industrial segments.
- Strong analytical capability with experience in forecasting, data modelling, and financial analysis.
- Experience building or transforming a procurement function, including cost negotiations and supplier management.
- Ability to influence cross-functionally and drive alignment across commercial and operational teams.
- Strong understanding of end-to-end cost structures, including freight, tariffs, rebates, and margin levers.
- Leadership experience managing teams across planning, analytics procurement, or product management
Essential Qualifications- Bachelor's degree in Business, Industrial distribution, or a related field; or equivalent practical experience
- Strategic thinker who can translate data into action, and action into measurable business outcomes.
- Deep understanding of end-to-end cost structures, including freight, tariffs, rebates, supplier terms, and margin levers.
- Demonstrated ability to build high-performing teams, develop talent, and lead through change.
- Strong operational rigor with a bias for execution, accountability, and continuous improvement.
- Ability to operate effectively in a fast-paced, growth-oriented environment with competing priorities.
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