Job Description

Job Description

Job Description

Title: Indirect Category Manager

Location: Chicago, IL (Hybrid)

Overview:

Sterling has helped build careers for thousands for professionals like yourself. Our expert recruiters support you at every step in the process and as a Best of Staffing company, Sterling provides exciting work with exceptional employers across the U.S.

Hire Type: Direct Hire

Benefits: Medical, Dental, Vision

Bonus/ Incentives/ Stock Options: Annual Bonus, Unlimited PTO

Pay : $100-125k

Job Summary:

• The Indirect Procurement Manager is responsible for advancing strategic sourcing and procurement operations within the supply chain team. This role develops and executes sourcing strategies across a range of indirect categories, with a focus on supplier selection, relationship management, contract negotiation, and driving cost savings. Acting as a strategic partner, this position works closely with internal and external stakeholders to ensure favorable contracts and partnerships that deliver exceptional service, quality, and value.

Job Duties:

• Plan, organize, and manage strategic sourcing activities for indirect spend, with emphasis on facilities categories.

• Analyze spend to identify cost-saving opportunities and implement category strategies that optimize the supplier base.

• Own, develop, and execute strategies for the Chemicals category (including water treatment, processing & packaging, and wastewater treatment).

• Partner with transportation and warehousing teams to lead bid processes and negotiate contracts.

• Manage the lifecycle of co-manufacturing contracts, including vendor relationships, performance tracking, and escalation support.

• Lead sourcing strategies for facility tail spend and pallet categories across the manufacturing network.

• Identify and implement cost reduction initiatives.

• Conduct RFP processes to ensure competitive total cost of ownership.

• Collaborate with stakeholders to gather requirements, lead supplier selection, and negotiate favorable terms.

• Manage vendor relationships, performance metrics, and feedback loops.

• Identify category-specific supply risks and develop mitigation plans.

• Monitor market trends, inflation impacts, and budget variances, and develop strategies to address them.

• Track, measure, and report savings and key performance indicators.

• Resolve supplier-related operational, purchasing, or quality issues.

• Support budgeting processes and contribute to continuous improvement initiatives.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Procurement, Finance, Engineering, or related field.

• Minimum of 5 years of indirect facility procurement experience (or equivalent).

• Proven negotiation skills with strong verbal and written communication abilities.

• Experience in project management, preferably within a consumer packaged goods or manufacturing environment.

• Demonstrated ability to deliver measurable cost savings and value creation.

• Self-motivated and capable of prioritizing in a dynamic environment.

• Strong influencing skills with the ability to partner across all organizational levels.

• Comfort with ambiguity and a fast-paced, entrepreneurial work environment.

Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or genetic information.

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