Highlights of Category Manager of Road and Warehousing Position

The  Category Manager of Road and Warehousing will focus on fully understanding the supply market for a defined sector, (e.g. warehousing, tank storage, trucking). This includes understanding the demand for the goods/services required in that sector, and the development/implementation of the appropriate procurement and supply chain management (PSCM) strategies to optimally match supply and demand. This strategic approach is typically managed across asset, geographical and organizational boundaries. The Category Manager (CM) is accountable for procurement strategies and tactics for the logistics product or service area, ensuring business requirements are fulfilled and value is optimized across multiple businesses. Also accountable for the overall development and implementation of sourcing strategies and supply market intelligence in their area of responsibility.

Company Information

Our client is a Fortune 20 global energy leader. With a workforce of nearly 100,000 employees, the client operates globally, with business activities and customers in more than 100 countries across six continents.

Job Location

Midwest US

Key Responsibilities of Category Manager of Road and Warehousing Position

The CM Road and Warehousing has direct responsibility and accountability for the procurement strategies for all associated 3rd party spend, and is accountable for ensuring that the Logistics Market Sector (LMS) strategy is aligned with the SPU/BU business requirements, supply chain strategies and that value is added / optimized. The strategies developed will reflect the multi-functional, multi-business perspectives and varying market dynamics.

The CM is responsible for the overall development and implementation of SPU/BU sourcing strategies, approach to market and implementing rigorous performance based supplier relationship management. He/she will and actively promote cross business opportunities and develop federal/collective purchase agreements.

The CM is the focal point for market intelligence and provides information and counsel to SPU/BU senior management and embedded logistics procurement leads on market trends, material cost drivers and cost control strategies. Central to this will be the role out of costs, utilization and adherence to the common tools and processes.

Key Accountabilities:

• Establishes and communicates vision and strategic direction for assigned market subsector(s) aligned to the PSCM agenda
• Removes roadblocks to enable the delivery of the market sub¬sector strategies within the PSCM agenda
• Coordinates the procurement of one or more defined product or service areas
• Delivers robust cost management and mitigates business risk via rigorous contract management control
• Develops and leads cross functional teams in commodity strategy development, supplier sourcing, and supplier negotiations
• Captures, shares and applies lessons learned and best practices
• Develops and manages supplier relationships for strategic and key suppliers
• Establishes measures to monitor and ensure continuous improvement of supplier performance
• Employs financial analysis and economic modeling skills to evaluate supplier proposal pricing and develop flexible contractual pricing models which accommodate inflation, currency, scope changes, and other areas of risk mitigation and cost control
• Is accountable for the accuracy of the data relating to the market sub¬sector
• Uses knowledge of commercial contract law to guide the development and assessment of pertinent contractual terms and conditions
• Analyses and assists in the development of specifications and statements of work
• Builds and maintains profiles of supply market and key suppliers (includes both current and potential suppliers)
• Actively tracks the supply market to take advantage of the prevailing opportunities in the marketplace
• Proactively explores the wider supply and industry markets to identify opportunities that BP can leverage for great benefit delivery or to mitigate supply risk e.g. Technology developments, acquisition impacts
• Identifies, implements and realizes value through effective ”strategic cost management” utilizing best in class methods (e.g. should cost) and tools (e.g. e-auctions)
• Builds and nurtures both internal and external relationships
• Provides information and counsel to senior management on market trends, commodity cost drivers and cost control strategies.
• Responsible for employee development, performance management and career guidance
• Champions HSSE
• Promotes compliance with  code of conduct, ensuring by personal example and coaching that staff understand and practice ethical business behavior, and using reasonable care to monitor suppliers and contractors working to ensure they work in a manner consistent with the code
• Undertakes due diligence in mitigating all external supply risk from supplier selection through to contract execution

Essential Criteria & Qualifications:

• English – Fluent
• Bachelors Degree
• At least 3 years experience in Procurement or Supply Chain Management
• A minimum of 7 years of Road & Warehousing experience
• Experienced in creating and articulating sourcing strategies that supports BU specific business requirements, but at the same time challenges status quo while leveraging scale and spending power.
• 5 years of Project Management experience working in multi-functional teams.
• Strong influencing and team building skills, with an ability to build consensus and engagement with key stakeholders at all levels and across organizational boundaries.
• Ability to grow quickly into the position, provide immediate contribution and work in ambiguous situations and time lines.
• Strong commercial and negotiation skills
• All candidates will undergo a technical capability assessment, and are required to meet the requisite technical competency levels across the following categories:
  • Market sector strategy development & application
  • Demand management
  • Sourcing
  • Supply chain risk management
  • Contract execution and management
  • Supplier performance management
  • Materials management
  • Project Management Skills
  • Negotiating and Influencing Strategy
  • Financial Skills

Desirable Criteria & Qualifications:

• Masters Degree in associated discipline
• Professional Accreditation (APICS / ISM)
• Knowledge of relevant supply markets
• Market sector strategy development & application
• Demand management
• Supply chain risk management
• Contract execution and management
• Supplier performance management

About the Author:

The Teldar Group is an Executive Search and Recruiting Firm specializing in placing professionals in Procurement, Strategic Sourcing, Purchasing, Logistics and Supply Chain positions.

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