Category Lead - Indirect Procurement Supply Chain

Executes and implements effective procurement and sourcing strategies for Terumo Blood & Cell Technologies’ Supply Chain department, with emphasis on third party logistics, warehousing and fulfillment, and all freight modes. Develops short-term and long-term strategies that align with the Company goals for reducing costs and meeting financial expectations. Continuously improves the Company’s global purchasing practices by identifying and leading efforts to proactively consolidate category spend, manage supplier performance, mitigate risk, and gain visibility to total spend. Performs spend analysis, market and supplier assessments to ensure best in class strategic sourcing strategies, and category spend management. Essential Duties Executes strategic sourcing strategies, best practices, and initiatives that support improvements in supplier quality, total cost effectiveness, enhanced service levels, improved coordination, delivery, pricing, payment terms, risk compliance and other areas as identified. Executes indirect procurement category sourcing strategies including the development and execution of RFXs, requirements gathering, development of supplier selection criteria, and supplier negotiations all in collaboration with cross-functional teams. Executes freight bids for ocean and air using TenderEasy. Actively seeks ways to streamline business processes; researches and provides information on industry category trends and best practices; and leverages market tools and benchmarks to inform decision making. Develops negotiation strategies, gains alignment from stakeholders, leads cross-functional, category-based negotiation teams, and implements appropriate supplier risk analysis. Directly negotiates with suppliers. Uses spend data and business knowledge to identify sourcing projects for individual sub-categories and develops an overall multi-year plan. Manages category performance by adhering to savings goals, business objectives, and supplier management. Ability to forge close working relationships throughout the company and use influence and persuasion skills to drive results. Prepares business cases, including ROI models and effectively presents cost savings proposals to appropriate parties for approval and qualification. Ensures purchasing compliance with legal, financial, and regulatory requirements (e.g., JSOX). Advocates and adheres to global procurement policies and procedures. Minimum Qualifications Requirements Education Bachelor’s degree or equivalent of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential functions of the job may be considered. Master’s degree preferred. Experience Minimum 8 years’ experience in Procurement or category management, preferably in multi-national company and across multiple categories of spend. Track record in successfully managing all aspects of an indirect supply chain category. Knowledge of contractual terms and conditions, and provisions specific to supply chain agreements. Solid knowledge of the logistics industry across all freight modes and supplier base. Demonstrated sourcing experience developing and leading RFx’s and negotiating with suppliers. Proficient in sourcing and category management concepts, practices, and procedures. Proven critical thinking, analytics ability, and business acumen. Demonstrated comprehensive understanding of business requirements and category ownership having created categories strategies with sound analytics. Excellent understanding of contracts and contract management. Track record for achieving savings that impact the bottom line. Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and possess the ability to thrive in a continuous improvement environment. Skills Strong communication skills and ability to communicate at all levels of the organization. Ability to moving seamlessly from tactical to strategic tasks. Must have a keen eye for detail, provide insights based on market conditions and trends, optimize value from/with suppliers. Excellent analytical, leadership, and problem-solving skills. Ability to develop and execute negotiation strategies. Strong negotiation and contracting skills. Proactive, results-oriented, reliable, persuasive and an excellent team player. Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite, with strong Excel skills. Demonstrated ability to interact with diplomacy and tact while maintaining appropriate assertiveness and persistence. Proven ability to positively persuade and influence decision making, at all levels in the organization. Ability to prioritize well and maintain appropriate balance in a fast-paced, heavy-workload environment. Certificates, Licenses, Registrations CPSM, CPM, CPP, CPIM, or other designation preferred but not required. -Or- An equivalent competency level acquired through a variation of these qualifications may be considered. LOCATION Lakewood, CO – Open to candidates willing to relocate to the area. Physical Requirements Typical office environment requirements include reading, speaking, hearing, close vision, walking, bending, sitting and occasional lifting up to 20 pounds. The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an associate to successfully perform the essential duties of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties.