Category Manager I

Conduct sourcing cost reduction activities with a focus on fabrication. Identify and qualify suppliers capable of providing products and services to meet OE and Aftermarket requirements in accordance with SLQDC principals; ensuring productivity, continuous improvement, and negotiated lowest total overall cost. Manage global sourcing activities.

• Develop specific category strategies for single or multiple categories of spend. i.e. Steel, Castings, Forgings, Machining, Hydraulic, Mechanical, Electronics, etc.
• Standardize Contracts and Master Purchase Agreements for category purchases as directed by the business strategies and corporate goals.
• Monitor supply markets and commodity trending for competitive changes and prepare cost models for respective category.
• Primary owner of Supplier Relationship Management for strategic supply base within given category.
• Be a leader and work independently to establish strategy timeline, managing deliverables, and ability to appropriately identify and escalate issues when needed
• Perform high-level global category analysis (Full spend and segment spend into sub-category if needed).
• Sourcing Strategy & Negotiation - Develop and implement the commodity sourcing strategy through analysis of global markets, raw materials trends, technology, value chain analysis, and long-term sourcing plans. Prepare for and lead supplier negotiations. Initiate and manage RFI's, RFP's, and RFQ's.
• Owner of master data.
• Perform industry research to identify qualified supplier candidates to meet Komatsu needs. Benchmark best in class suppliers.
• Perform "Should Cost Analysis" cost models for each category group to fully understand cost make-up and drive optimal cost decisions.
• Supplier Relationships - Understand type of supplier relationship required, ongoing oversight of supplier relationships with responsibilities for all commercial aspects including negotiations, contracts, partnerships, continuous improvements, etc.
• Support cost reduction goals established by top management and develop and drive actions to meet the short term and long-term cost reduction goals.
• Evaluate various supplier performance metrics including related value elements, performance trends and risk analysis to ensure category strategy is working and corrective action taken when needed.
• Ongoing evaluation of the supply base in the areas of market research, product quality, competitive pricing, capability, and capacity. Perform SWAT and supplier risk analysis.
• May be required to perform other related duties as required or assigned.

• Ideal candidates will possess a Bachelor's Degree in Engineering. Other Degrees with a combination of relevant experience on a focused group of commodities may be considered.
• CPIM, CSCP or CPM Certification a plus
• 5+ years of relevant working experience
• Experience working in an ERP environment (SAP a plus)
• Systems skills: SAP, Excel, Access, PowerPoint, Ariba
• The position requires a thorough knowledge of commodities assigned to the Category Manager under various conditions and cultures on a global basis. The position must balance the needs of Komatsu regional and global business development strategies to optimize market conditions and business results.
• Proprietary information including technical specifications, drawings, etc.
• Management and support of $1.6 Billion in overall spend.
• Procurement department typically responsible for cost reduction activities of ~1% of annual receipts.
• Work closely with regional purchasing, aftermarket, NPD, and sales/marketing teams to monitor and drive compliance to the strategic category strategies.
• Conflicting Supplier/ Komatsu concerns and interests. Must be communicated, understood and resolved by the individual for the process to be successful.
• Knowledge and understanding of business cultural and financial differences in numerous countries.
• Develop relationships and cost model strategies with key suppliers to mitigate effects of volatile materials market.
• Maintaining healthy supplier relationships in difficult market conditions and resolving conflicts.

Risk management, project management and presentation skills a plus.