The Indirect Category Manager plays a highly visible and business‑critical role in driving Johns Manville’s cost competitiveness, operational continuity, and strategic supplier partnerships across Indirect spend categories including IT, Capital Expenditures, MRO, and Industrial Gases. This role directly influences manufacturing cost structure, reliability of supply, and the success of capital and transformation initiatives by delivering measurable savings, resilient supplier strategies, and disciplined contract execution. For a motivated sourcing professional, this position offers the opportunity to own complex categories, lead enterprise‑level initiatives, and make a tangible financial and operational impact.
Key Performance Objectives
Cost Optimization & Value Creation
- Deliver year‑over‑year, measurable cost savings and value creation through strategic sourcing initiatives, supplier negotiations, and demand management.
- Lead category strategies that improve total cost of ownership while supporting operational and capital requirements.
- Establish, track, and report monthly scorecards that measure cost savings, supplier performance, and category health.
Strategic Sourcing & Contract Excellence
- Own and execute RFPs, RFQs, and contract negotiations for Services, Construction, IT, and Indirect Materials, ensuring favorable commercial and risk outcomes.
- Develop, negotiate, and manage contracts to ensure compliance, value realization, and alignment with operational needs.
- Maintain a forward‑looking sourcing calendar that ensures timely renewals, competitive bidding, and proactive risk mitigation.
Supplier Performance & Relationship Management
- Build high‑impact supplier partnerships through structured business reviews, supplier workshops, and continuous improvement initiatives.
- Ensure uninterrupted, compliant, and sustainable supply of indirect goods and services across JM facilities.
- Lead supplier onboarding and qualification efforts to strengthen and diversify the supply base.
Cross‑Functional Leadership & Business Partnership
- Partner with plant, engineering, IT, finance, and operations stakeholders to align sourcing strategies with business priorities.
- Lead and contribute to multi‑functional projects that optimize the supply base, support capital execution, and improve operational outcomes.
- Support Berkshire Hathaway spend leverage initiatives and enterprise‑wide sourcing opportunities.
Process, Systems & Governance
- Manage indirect and CapEx purchasing activity in SAP ECC, ensuring accuracy, compliance, and appropriate stakeholder input.
- Identify opportunities to improve sourcing processes, category governance, and data visibility.
- Apply financial analysis, market intelligence, and regulatory awareness (OSHA, environmental) to sourcing and negotiation decisions.
Why This Role Is Attractive
- High Visibility & Impact: Direct ownership of cost savings and supply continuity that materially affect manufacturing and capital performance.
- Strategic Scope: Broad category responsibility across critical indirect spend areas with opportunities to influence enterprise strategy.
- Leadership Without a Title Ceiling: Lead complex initiatives, supplier negotiations, and cross‑functional teams with autonomy and accountability.
- Professional Growth: Exposure to Berkshire Hathaway sourcing leverage, capital sourcing, and senior stakeholder engagement.
- End‑to‑End Ownership: From strategy development through execution, this role delivers clear, measurable results.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree required; CPSM certification preferred
- Minimum 5 years of supply chain experience, including 3+ years of category management
- Demonstrated success delivering cost savings and managing complex supplier portfolios
- Strong negotiation skills with knowledge of contract development and contract law
- Strategic thinker with strong analytical and financial acumen
- Proven ability to lead cross‑functional initiatives and influence without authority
- Working knowledge of SAP or similar ERP systems
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office tools
- Travel approximately 10%
