Supply Chain Professional – Category Manager

Supply Chain Professional – Category Manager
Location: Lisle, IL
Work Arrangement: Onsite
Pay Rate: $60 per hour
Employment Type: Contract with potential for full-time conversion
 
Supply Chain Professional Job Summary
We are seeking an experienced Supply Chain Professional – Category Manager to lead strategic sourcing, supplier negotiations, commercial agreement execution, and supplier performance management. This role will focus on developing and executing category strategies, identifying cost-reduction opportunities, optimizing supplier relationships, and supporting business objectives through effective procurement practices.
The Category Manager will play a key role in wiring harness sourcing, supplier capacity and labor agreements, value analysis/value engineering (VA/VE) initiatives, and dual-sourcing strategies. This individual will collaborate with cross-functional teams, including Research and Development (R&D), as well as international business partners, to drive cost savings, improve supplier performance, and support new product launches and existing operations.
This is an onsite position based in Lisle, Illinois. Candidates must be local and able to work onsite. The position is initially contract-based, with the potential for full-time conversion based on business needs and performance.
 
Supply Chain Professional Job Responsibilities

• Lead strategic sourcing activities, develop and execute category strategies, and negotiate supplier agreements aligned with business objectives.
• Lead supplier selection and sourcing decisions for new product launches and existing business, identifying opportunities to improve cost, quality, and delivery.
• Drive Value Analysis/Value Engineering (VA/VE) initiatives and analyze category spend to identify and implement cost-reduction opportunities.
• Negotiate supplier agreements, including capacity and labor agreements, to achieve optimal total cost of ownership.
• Implement dual-sourcing strategies and develop new suppliers to strengthen sourcing capabilities within the wiring category.
• Collaborate with Research and Development (R&D), Scania/MAN, and cross-functional stakeholders to align sourcing strategies and support business priorities.
• Review, negotiate, and execute commercial agreements while maintaining strategic supplier relationships to ensure quality, on-time delivery, and service expectations are met.

 
Supply Chain Professional Job Requirements

• Experience in supply chain management, strategic sourcing, category management, procurement, or a related field.
• Proven ability to develop category strategies, identify competitive sourcing opportunities, and lead supplier negotiations.
• Strong knowledge of commercial agreements, contract negotiation and execution, and supplier relationship management.
• Experience implementing cost-reduction initiatives through competitive bidding, global sourcing, target costing, and supplier optimization.
• Strong analytical skills, including category spend analysis, cost-driver evaluation, market research, and savings identification.
• Excellent communication, collaboration, and organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple projects, meet deadlines, and deliver executive-level presentations.
• Must be local to Lisle, Illinois, and able to work onsite.
• Experience with wiring harnesses, electrical components, or related automotive or manufacturing supply categories.
• Experience negotiating supplier capacity and labor agreements.
• Knowledge of VA/VE initiatives, dual sourcing, and supplier development.
• Experience supporting new product launches and working with cross-functional engineering and R&D teams.
• Experience working with international suppliers or aligning sourcing strategies across global business groups.