Category Manager Spares & Indirect

For us going to work every day has an even greater purpose than putting the latest product or technology on the market. It’s about improving the everyday lives of millions. By being sustainable and open to new ideas we can push the boundaries of cooking, cleaning, and wellbeing at home. But to keep doing so, we need more people who want to innovate and re-imagine what life at home can be.  

Within the Consumer Direct Interactions (CDI) Purchasing Organization, the Category Manager is responsible for sourcing and securing the required components and materials to support the best-in-class availability of after-market parts at the lowest total delivered cost to Electrolux and its customers. This role requires cross-collaboration, expansive ideas, and close attention to detail. You will also work closely with a team of buyers responsible for sourcing and securing the required materials and components needed to support after-market parts and accessories across our product lines.

You are responsible for establishing and building relationships with our Suppliers, leading the Value-Based Sourcing approach, and ensuring all the departments you cooperate with are aligned with your Purchasing vision and road map for the assigned category.  You will work in close collaboration with cross-functional stakeholders, such as CDI Product Lines, CDI Sales, Legal, and Major Appliances Purchasing and Engineering teams to drive operational improvements with your designated suppliers, including ensuring compliance to lead times, MOQs, pricing, and part quality.

Key Responsibilities:

• Supplier Relationship Management: Cultivate and maintain robust relationships with a select group of key suppliers. This involves regular communication, fostering mutual trust, and ensuring alignment with Electrolux’s strategic goals.
• Delivery and Compliance Oversight: Ensure that suppliers consistently deliver parts to Electrolux within the pre-agreed timeframes and in the quantities ordered. Address any issues related to tooling or purchasing price variances promptly. Act as the primary point of escalation for any supplier non-compliance with critical key performance indicators (KPIs) such as on-time delivery and backorders.
• Expediting and Inventory Management: Approve the expediting of parts when necessary to prevent stock shortages and avoid backorders. This requires a proactive approach to inventory management and close monitoring of supply chain dynamics.
• Supplier Development and Training: Develop and train suppliers on Electrolux’s purchase order processes. This includes providing guidance on best practices, ensuring understanding of Electrolux’s requirements, and supporting suppliers in meeting these standards.
• Escalation Path Definition: Define clear escalation paths with key suppliers to ensure swift resolution of any issues that may arise. This involves setting up structured communication channels and protocols for addressing problems.
• Complexity Reduction Initiatives: Drive initiatives aimed at reducing complexity through parts and supplier rationalization. Recommend the retirement of obsolete or redundant parts and identify new sources of parts when necessary to streamline operations.
• Cost Management and Negotiation: Lead cost-out projects to achieve financial savings. Negotiate Incoterms with suppliers to optimize terms of trade and minimize costs. Identify potential contract improvement opportunities and lead re-negotiations to enhance supplier agreements.
• Packaging Standards Compliance: Review and ensure that suppliers comply with Electrolux’s packaging standards. This involves regular audits and providing feedback to suppliers to maintain high standards of packaging quality.
• Efficiency and Risk Management: Maximize buying efficiency while minimizing supply disruption and financial risks for the business areas. This requires a strategic approach to procurement and risk management.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner with and support the initiatives and directives of various teams within Electrolux Major Appliances North America (EMA-NA), including commodity, global commodity, product line, sales, engineering, and publications teams. Work towards achieving best-in-class quality, delivery, and cost.
• Performance Analysis and Improvement: Regularly analyze supplier quality, delivery, and cost metrics to identify areas for improvement. Engage with suppliers to develop and implement improvement plans.
• Project Management: Manage multiple projects simultaneously, resolve problems, meet deadlines, and achieve performance objectives. Thrive in a fast-paced work environment by maintaining a high level of organization and focus.
• Data Analysis and Reporting: Collect, analyze, and summarize data and trends to monitor your category and drive improvements. Use this information to inform decision-making and strategic planning.
• Quotation Management: Collect, analyze, and negotiate requests for quotation. Ensure that quotations are competitive and align with Electrolux’s cost and quality standards.
• Effective Communication: Communicate effectively and tactfully, both verbally and in writing, with external suppliers and internal resources. Successfully sell initiatives and develop actionable objectives.
• Policy Enforcement: Internalize Electrolux Major Appliances (EMA) policies and practices. Communicate and enforce these policies with suppliers and internal resources to ensure alignment with EMA’s strategic objectives.

Who you are:

• Ours is a dynamic, fast-paced environment that asks for flexibility and agility.
• You work with urgency, analyzing and adapting to different situations, quickly understanding changes and reacting confidently and decisively.
• You can balance commercial considerations without compromising on quality, evaluating the data to inform decision-making and continuous improvement.
• You build trust, good working relationships and communicate effectively with your colleagues and across functions.
• Whether face-to-face or on the phone, you can communicate plans and articulate your ideas with colleagues and customers at all levels.
• You understand good negotiations begin long before doing a deal, through building good working relationships, understanding your suppliers’ motivations and starting from a confident position.  
• You set the pace and the priorities, and then you bring a methodical approach to meeting your goals.
• Strong knowledge of the strategic sourcing methodology and its application
• Strong analytical, financial and business acumen to include should-cost modeling
• Basic knowledge and understanding of engineering drawings of component parts
• Demonstrated ability to effectively manage strategic supplier relationships, including relationship building, performance, development, and integration.
• Expertise in supplier processes and cost drivers
• Ability to manage projects and establish clear goals and accountabilities to ensure successful delivery (on time, within budget, meeting agreed upon success criteria)
• Experience in project leadership
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications
• Understanding of cross-border shipment laws, tariffs, taxation and time frames
• Familiarity with supply chain and material flow (lead-times, tier-2 vendors, etc)

Minimum Qualifications:

• BA/BS degree in Business or Engineering
• Minimum 5+ years of relevant experience in purchasing, sourcing, category management with an international/global exposure is preferred.
• Experience and knowledge of the purchasing environment for the commodities managed with the capability to analyze business procurement issues, recommend solutions and strategies, and implement change
• Demonstrated success in year-over-year material cost reduction projects

Where you’ll be:

This position is based at our Corporate Headquarters in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Benefits highlights:

• Hybrid work model
• Generous relocation package
• Medical, dental, vision, and life insurance
• Competitive holiday and vacation time off program
• Retirement Savings Plan (401(k)) with company contribution
• Employee Assistance Program and tuition reimbursement
• Discounted Electrolux products

Please be advised that we are unable to offer visa sponsorship for this position at this time.

Find more on: Electrolux Group North America:

https://www.linkedin.com/company/electrolux/life/northamerica/ Electrolux Group Careers: https://career.electroluxgroup.com/global/en

Electrolux Home Products, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE). Qualified applicants are considered for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, disability, or veteran status. If you need assistance or an accommodation during the application process because of a disability, it is available upon request through [email protected]. The company is pleased to provide such assistance, and no applicant will be penalized as a result of such a request.