Category Manager - Direct Spend

Company: Smith & Nephew
Location: Oklahoma City
Posted on: November 24, 2022

Job Description:

Category Manager - Direct Spend



Job Description - the ideal candidate will:



* Understand total spend, pricing structure, commercial terms and trends for raw materials, semi-finished goods and purchased finished goods.

* Leverage market knowledge, specifically on cost and supply/demand drivers to improve ability to source materials to drive positive position Smith and Nephew's versus industry.

* Responsible for setting strategic direction for the procurement of global raw materials and components used in the manufacturing of medical devices.

* Collaborate with Smith + Nephew's Global Procurement and Operations to establish a global material strategy.

* Work collaboratively business leaders, suppliers and customers to develop innovative sourcing arrangements to reduce costs and risks; negotiate complex contracts for procurement of these strategic materials.

* Develop an understanding of Smith + Nephew's product lines, market strategy, competition, technology, to establish the link between raw material and product pricing

* Lead cross-functional business activities that identify, qualify, negotiate and successfully implement new suppliers. Understand manufacturing processes in order to ensure supply, deflation, and business profitability.

* Lead the sourcing for New Products through object analysis.

* Utilize Six Sigma and Lean tools to drive continuous improvement in the sourcing processes and to drive supplier productivity and development projects.



Location: Memphis TN, Andover MA, Mansfield MA, Oklahoma City OK, or Remote



Qualifications:



* BS/MS in Bachelors' Degree in Business, Economics, Finance, Statistics, or a relevant field of work, or an equivalent combination of education and work-related experience.

* 5 years' experience with strategic procurement responsibility



Competencies:



* Should have a strong knowledge of direct material categories (i.e. machining, packaging, forging and casting) and associated commodity inputs (i.e. titanium, stainless steel, cobalt chrome, plastic, cotton and chemicals).

* Proven and demonstrated successful experience and ability to think strategically about procurement in the context of overall business strategy.

* Strong ability to assess the market dynamics of key raw material and component related industries and adapt the procurement strategy to industry trends and other key external factors.

* Proven track record for innovative approaches resulting in "game-changing" opportunities, which placed the business in a competitively advantaged position in the market.

* Strong analytical skills, including cost analysis, financial skills, project management skills and contracts. Excellent interpersonal, communication and presentation skills.

* Fluency in English. Proficiency in other language(s) desired.

* Strong computer skills including use of SAP, Ariba and Microsoft Office suite.



Travel: up to 25% may be required.



Remote work is possible but being located near Mansfield MA, Andover MA, Memphis TN, Oklahoma City, OK or Costa Rica facilities preferred.



Smith+Nephew provides equal employment opportunities to applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, or disability.

Keywords: Smith & Nephew, Oklahoma City , Category Manager - Direct Spend, Executive , Oklahoma City, Oklahoma