Category Manager - IT

About FlightSafety International FlightSafety International is the world's premier professional aviation training company and supplier of flight simulators, visual systems and displays to commercial, government and military organizations. The company provides training for pilots, technicians and other aviation professionals from 167 countries and independent territories. FlightSafety operates the world's largest fleet of advanced full-flight simulators and award-winning maintenance training at Learning Centers and training locations in the United States, Canada, France and the United Kingdom. Purpose of Position The Category Manager is responsible for the development and execution of Supplier and Category strategies driving long-term improvements in service, quality, cost, delivery, and innovation, enhancing the competitive and commercial performance of FlightSafety International and its customer base. This position also manages a portfolio across several suppliers and executes the relevant Category strategies by leading the sourcing process, negotiating with approved suppliers, and culminating in a contract that meets the product or service requirements. The Category Manager manages the commercial and contractual relationships within their portfolio, ensuring commercial issues are appropriately and expeditiously resolved. Tasks and Responsibilities The following duties are essential to the successful and satisfactory performance of this job. Other duties may be assigned. Lead the department 's mission for achieving targeted outcomes, process efficiencies, and cost reduction goals. Develop strategy and best practices to ensure data integrity and completeness in all purchasing-related applications. Collaborate within the organization to develop and implement creative procurement plans to offer opportunities for strategic sourcing through the formal bidding process. Responsible for conducting spend analysis, analyzing supply markets, identifying sourcing value levels, executing competitive Request for Proposals (RFIs,/RFPs) and leading supplier negotiations. Develop and maintain relationships with key business leaders to understand and support their supplier needs. Provide clear direction and motivation to teammates to accomplish fiscal goals. Ensure that purchasing activities are on track and reach important financial objectives and cost-saving targets. Support the enterprise-wide framework for supplier evaluation and engagement, establishing participation criteria, presentations, negotiations, and contract finalization. Monitor and evaluate contractual arrangements to ensure suppliers are complying with agreements already in place. Develops, maintains, and executes the portfolio of Category and Supplier Strategies. Leads the procurement and sourcing processes while maintaining strict compliance with FlightSafety International purchasing systems, processes, and policies. Applies tools, techniques, and processes to develop robust strategies, manage the supplier relationship, and identify areas of improvement and drive corrective actions Manages suppliers to meet business objectives, partnering with these suppliers to build capabilities that meet the expanding needs of the business through effective service, quality, cost, delivery, and innovation performance. Minimum Education Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Business, or Supply Management, preferred Minimum Experience 5 to 10 years professional experience in procurement, project management or supply chain management Knowledge, Skills, Abilities High degree of financial and problem-solving ability Basic understanding of e-procurement processes and systems Expertise with IT and Information Security commodities Understanding of Six Sigma and Project Management methodologies Excellent interpersonal and communication skills Familiarity with procurement phi