Category Manager - Channel & Directed Spend

Job description

Position Summary: The Category Manager – Channel & Directed Spend is responsible for owning and executing category strategies across assigned product categories, with a strong emphasis on Channel and Directed spend optimization, supplier value capture, and profitable growth. This role leads fact-based negotiations, drives early quick-win savings opportunities, and partners closely with Sales, Integrated Supply, Sourcing, Finance, and Operations to optimize assortment, pricing, and supplier performance. The Category Manager plays a critical role in eliminating low-value spend, consolidating volume with strategic partners, and delivering measurable margin and cost improvements. Essential Duties and Responsibilities: - Category Strategy & Execution: Develop and execute category plans aligned to enterprise objectives, including assortment optimization, pricing actions, and supplier strategies. - Channel Spend & Value Capture: Identify, prioritize, and execute low-hanging savings opportunities (pricing gaps, rebates, volume leverage, SKU rationalization) to drive near-term and sustained run-rate impact. - Supplier Negotiations: Lead data-driven supplier negotiations using structured fac...