Procurement Category Manager

Dealership:

Procurement Category Manager

The Procurement Category Manager works with internal decision makers to collaboratively shape and execute on category strategy in support of Lithia’s long-term growth. This position is uniquely positioned to help the business create the “framework” for category spending that will support Lithia’s “freedom within the framework” culture that encourages personal ownership, while also accomplishing cost savings goals. Successful Category Managers own their categories by analyzing category spend, working with category decision makers in identifying and executing savings opportunities. The Category Manager also assists our category decision makers (operations and support department leaders) with vendor management.

Location: Remote

Compensation Range: $58,000 - $75,000 annually

We offer a competitive starting wage that is based on a variety of factors, including the specific role, experience, qualifications, skill set, and education. 

Responsibilities

• Leader and owner of category management. Partner with category decision makers to develop category strategy and drive execution.
• Manage $100M+ in spend across assigned categories.
• Develop positive working relationships across the organization, and particularly with the category decision makers in the assigned categories.
• Negotiate favorable terms, volume discounts and long-term contracts with suppliers and vendor partners.
• Manage supplier relationships to secure cost reductions through effective negotiation on pricing and service levels.
• Contribute to the creation of long-term vendor contracts with year over year savings to drive cost efficiency.
• Collaborate with the category decision makers, department support services, and Procurement team leadership to understand business needs for assigned categories, identify opportunities for vendor consolidation and realizing savings by executing competitive sourcing events.
• Contribute to development of new strategies for designated categories. Align with category stakeholders to understand requirements of the business to ensure ongoing vendor performance and quality.
• Support contract negotiations

Skills and Qualifications

• 3+ years of procurement, sourcing, or vendor management experience
• Experience executing sourcing events (RFP, RFQ, etc.)
• Strong organizational skills with attention to detail
• Excellent verbal and written communication
• Experience and skills in negotiating
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience
• Familiarity with Microsoft Office applications and Adobe

We offer best in class industry benefits:

• Competitive pay
• Medical, Dental and Vision Plans
• Paid Holidays & PTO
• Short and Long-Term Disability
• Paid Life Insurance
• 401(k) Retirement Plan
• Employee Stock Purchase Plan
• Lithia Learning Center
• Vehicle Purchase Discounts
• Wellness Programs

High School graduate or equivalent, 18 years or older required. We are a drug free workplace. We are committed to equal employment opportunity (regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity or Veteran status). We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements.