Sourcing Category Leader

Work Mode:Remote

Location:Hybrid at Kohler, WI

Opportunity

This role is responsible for creating and executing sourcing strategies for assigned categories that allow Kohler Kitchen and Bath North America to win in the market while supply reducing risk and lowering total cost. Develop intimate knowledge of assigned products, suppliers, markets, and costs to create targeted sourcing strategies that include robust supplier management, risk mitigation, and cost saving plans. Strong project management, communication and leadership activity will be necessary to meet annual goals and objectives. Personal accountability, autonomy, communication, influence, and leadership will be critical to success in this role.

Specific Responsibilities

Sourcing Strategies

• Create clear and concise Sourcing Strategies for all assigned categories with robust Supplier Performance Plans, Risk Mitigation Plans and Cost Saving Plans.
• Create documents to educate stakeholders about the product, suppliers, production process and sourcing strategies.
• Act as Subject Matter Expert for assigned product categories and suppliers.
  

Supplier Management

• Identify, evaluate, and onboard new suppliers or exit suppliers based on sourcing strategies.
• Act as commercial relationship owner for assigned suppliers.
• Maintain regular contact with suppliers, which includes visits to their operations.
• Manage Supplier Performance
  - Ensure all suppliers have best-in-class performance.
  - Utilize performance metrics (assessments, scorecards, dashboard, etc.).
  - Create supplier performance improvement plans based on sourcing strategy.
  - Leverage Quarterly Business Reviews that include supplier leadership.
  

Project Management

• Lead cost saving, redesign, and resourcing projects.
• Participate on various project teams that require sourcing support.
• Ability to manage numerous complex scope projects simultaneously.
• Act as Project Manager for Sourcing driven projects.
• Initiate timelines and adherence measurements to project goals; building and driving teamwork across functional areas.
  
  

Technical

• SAP and Power BI experience is preferred.
• Contracts
  - Strong contract clause knowledge, understanding and experience negotiating.
  - Independent ability to edit/revise a variety of standard contract templates and negotiate with suppliers to achieve the most favorable terms forKohler Co.
  - Advanced understanding of business law and the ability to work directly with a legal team.
• Drive the acquisition process by conducting RFx processes.
• Data Analysis

- Interpret data sets, identify trends, and use data as a tool to help accomplish goals and communicate.

• Total Cost of Ownership and Make vs. Buy calculations.
• Price Modeling and Forecasting

- Utilize market reports and indexes to identify market trends, forecast and model prices.

Personal/Interpersonal

• Maintain professional ethics, business acumen, self-accountability, and a high level of integrity always.
• Development of cross functional relationships through active team roles and support, embracing diverse and global cultures.
• Self-starter, self-motivated, ability to work independently, collaborates with teams.
• Rely on experience and judgment to plan and accomplish goals.
• Communication
  - Demonstrate clearly articulated speech and writing,
  - Use active listening skills and empathy to understand others.
  - Provide regular reports to management along with detailed gap analysis and corrective action plans.
  
• Leadership
  - Take the lead on projects that will drive your annual goals and metrics forward.
  - Influence, inspire and motivate others.
  - Treat your assigned categories as though you were a business owner or GM.
• Demonstrate time management and organizational skills that allow for managing many demands simultaneously.
• Promotes self-development and the development within teams by all available resources (i.e., training programs, seminars, sharing of best practices, and self-study)

Skills/Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Purchasing, Business, Supply Chain Management, Finance, Engineering, Operations. 5+ years as a purchasing professional.
• Experience in creating sourcing strategies, contract negotiations, cost savings, problem solving and complex project execution.
• Ability to travel 15% of the time to suppliers and other Kohler locations.

CUSTOM.PAY.TRANSPARENCY

Why Choose Kohler?
We empower each associate to #BecomeMoreAtKohler with a competitive total rewards package to support your health and wellbeing, access to career growth and development opportunities, a diverse and inclusive workplace, and a strong culture of innovation. With more than 30,000 bold leaders across the globe, we're driving meaningful change in our mission to help people live gracious, healthy, and sustainable lives.

About Us
It is Kohler's policy to recruit, hire, and promote qualified applicants without regard to race, creed, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, national origin, disability or status as a protected veteran. If, as an individual with a disability, you need reasonable accommodation during the recruitment process, please contact kohlerjobs@kohler.com. Kohler Co. is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.