Lead Category Manager (Finished Goods)

LEAD CATEGORY MANAGER ( FINISHED GOODS) Job Description The Global Supply Manager – Lead Category Manager (LCM) role within GSM is focused on the effective and efficient procurement of finished goods products, with a primary focus on Hand Tools (sub-categories with Hardlines and Screwdrivers), in support of Stanley Black & Decker's vision. This role is responsible for defining, leading, and monitoring holistic supplier and category strategies, driving sourcing productivity, and delivering year-over-year productivity and working capital goals. The role manages direct material spend of up to approximately $50M and interacts with suppliers and colleagues across geographies and work cultures. KEY RESPONSIBILITIES 1. Strategic Supplier Management · Establish, maintain, and develop strong relationships with key global suppliers to ensure quality, cost, delivery, and productivity targets are met. · Serve as an escalation point to resolve supplier performance issues. · Establish regular communication cadence with strategic suppliers. · Initiate and implement Supplier Days (supplier workshops / Kaizen events). · Support, organize, and participate in supplier conferences and summits. · Implement strategic supplier management, supplier risk management, supplier diversity, and CSR programs (leveraging GSM's Center of Excellence). · Develop and foster global supplier relationships that deliver cost reduction, supply assurance, quality improvement, and innovation. 2. Category & Material Field Strategy · Define, lead, and monitor global supplier and category strategies, with a focus on categories within Hardlines and Screwdrivers. · Independently develop future-oriented strategies and purchasing concepts aligned with the company's global orientation, with the aim of cross-plant application. · Consider unique/specific SBU needs during category strategy implementation; provide SBU expertise to category and regional leadership. · Understand and link category/sourcing strategy with GSM priorities and SBU goals. · Implement category strategies in support of the business vision and margin resiliency initiatives. · Maintain and control correct supplier classification in product groups and subgroups (SIEVO). · Drive reduction in the number of suppliers and bundling of purchasing volumes. · Institutionalize best-practice processes, policies, and knowledge sharing between GSM and SBU to ensure continuous improvement. 3. Negotiations & Contract Management · Negotiate, implement, and manage supplier contracts and service level agreements. · Ensure contract compliance (internal approval process), signature regulations, and registration in the group-wide database. · Monitor markets and trends to proactively renegotiate prices with suppliers. · Analyze and negotiate price adjustments by suppliers. 4. Tenders, Benchmarks & Sourcing Execution · Lead the supplier selection process through management of formal RFP, RFQ, and RFI processes. · Carry out price comparisons to optimize the procurement situation; initiate price and value analyses, substitution of parts/materials as needed. · Accompany new part projects in cooperation with development from the product development phase to achieve cost reductions. · Utilize modern purchasing tools (eRFQ, eAuctions, Should Costing). · Create TCO value through a combination of productivity, working capital, synergies, reduced risk, and improved supplier lead times. 5. Program & Project Management · Lead and drive program management for core initiatives in Productivity, Working Capital, and Supplier Performance. · Plan and implement programs/projects including complex large-scale initiatives; define content, goals, and individual milestones. · Coordinate and monitor milestones, interfaces, dates, and services (internal and external); initiate corrective measures as needed. · Ensure New Ways of Sourcing are utilized and state-of-the-art reports are developed and implemented (e.g., Power BI, Smartsheet). · Lead individuals and teams to deliver results; reporting relationships may be solid, dotted, or team-based. 6. Other Responsibilities · Ensure a high degree of service delivery and SBU satisfaction; partner with SBUs to ensure they recognize the business value from the GSM team. · Ensure suitable control measures and KPIs are in place to measure progress and derive corrective action plans. · Support operations (planning, tactical purchasing) in the context of supplier escalations (delivery bottlenecks, quality problems, etc.). · Conduct Make vs. Buy evaluations of key product lines in support of business strategies. · Assist in the identification and execution of negotiated inventory programs. · Support acquisition integration projects including due diligence, opportunity assessments, sub-team participation, delivery of synergy targets, and overall project management of sourcing initiatives. · Guarantee compliance with GSM/GSS policies, procedures, and DoA/DOA requirements. KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS · Strong listening, coaching, and influencing skills; ability to influence without direct authority. · Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate effectively at all levels, particularly at the management level; executive presence and effective presentation skills. · Excellent negotiation skills and knowledge of procurement and sourcing techniques, supplier integration, and continuous improvement initiatives. · Strong financial and analytical skills; experience in strategic planning, budgeting, and financial reporting. · Ability to conceive strategic program initiatives, plan, sell ideas, and execute. · Proven track record of developing and executing successful YOY productivity projects and complex sourcing/procurement strategies. · Proficiency in MS Office, Power BI, and Smartsheet. · Strong project and program management and problem-solving skills. · Ability to work in a matrixed environment, managing multiple and often conflicting priorities. · Highly self-motivated with the ability to drive change in a global organization with minimum supervision. · Multi-lingual capability is a plus. CERTIFICATIONS (Preferred) · CPIM or CSCMP certification · PMP certification · Six Sigma or Lean/Kaizen certification EXPERIENCE REQUIRED · 5-10 years of experience in Global Procurement / Strategic Sourcing organizations, including supplier selection, supplier management, and contract negotiations. · Minimum 5 years of category strategy or material field strategy experience. · Balance of both strategic and operational capacities including regional sourcing, supplier management, and commodity risk management. · Successful track record of designing and implementing complex sourcing and procurement strategies that achieved desired results within the category. · Global mindset with experience working in an international/multi-cultural matrix environment. EDUCATION · Bachelor's degree required. · MBA or Master's degree in Supply Chain preferred. TRAVEL Must be willing to travel domestically and internationally 10–20% of the time.