Sr Manager Category Management

October 1, 2026

About the position

Vallen Distribution is seeking a purposeful and strategic leader to serve as Senior Manager, Supplier Strategy. This role will be responsible for developing and executing a comprehensive Sourcing Strategy for Vallen's multibillion-dollar enterprise. As a key partner to the Category Management organization, the Sr. Manager will drive enterprise-wide cost savings, profitability enhancements, and long-term supplier partnerships that strengthen Vallen's competitive position in the market. The ideal candidate will bring strong procurement expertise, analytical rigor, and a collaborative mindset to identify and unlock enterprise-level opportunities across spend categories and supplier networks. This opportunity is a high-impact role with executive visibility and a clear mandate to deliver measurable value.

Responsibilities

Build and Lead Enterprise Supplier Strategy and Development: Develop, refine, and execute Vallen's Strategic Sourcing roadmap aligned to enterprise growth goals, profitability targets, and customer value delivery.
Drive Profit Enhancement: Identify, assess, and execute sourcing initiatives to improve gross margin, reduce total cost of ownership (TCO), and create long term economic value for Vallen.
Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner closely with the Category Management team to align sourcing priorities, to negotiate supplier terms and to implement value driving strategies across Supplier and Product portfolios.
Supplier Management & Optimization: Develop strategies to manage strategic supplier relationships, to negotiate commercial terms, to segment, consolidate and rationalize the supplier base, where appropriate.
Enterprise Opportunity Identification: Analyze enterprise-wide spend data and supply chain performance to uncover sourcing opportunities not realized at the category level.
Procurement Analytics: Lead the analytical support of evaluating both initiative-taking and reactive procurement opportunities.
Change Leadership & Execution: Champion best practices in Sourcing, Compliance, and Risk Management. Lead cross-functional strategic sourcing project implementations to ensure stakeholder alignment and timely delivery.
Performance Analytics and Reporting: Establish and track Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for sourcing initiatives to include cost savings, working capital improvements and general supplier performance metrics.
Team Management: Manage a team of sourcing professionals (optional depending on organization size).

Requirements

Bachelor's Degree (Supply Chain, Business, Finance or related field) required.
5--7+ years of progressive responsibility in Strategic Sourcing, Procurement, or Supply Chain, ideally in industrial distribution, manufacturing, or a related sector.
Proven success in leading sourcing strategies across complex, multi-category spend environments.
Deep understanding of supplier economics, global sourcing, negotiation tactics, and TCO.
Strong data analysis and financial modeling capabilities.
Effective communicator with the ability to influence Executive, Commercial and Operational functions.
Demonstrated ability to deliver results in a fast-paced, evolving enterprise environment.

Nice-to-haves

Preferred MBA or advanced degree.

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