Category Manager- Indirect

Graco manufactures and markets premium equipment to move, measure, control, dispense and spray a wide variety of fluid and powder materials. What does that mean? Well, we pump peanut butter into your jar, and the oil in your car. We glue the soles of your shoes, the glass in your windows and the screen on your phone. We spray the finish on your vehicle, coatings on your pills, the paint on your house and texture on your walls. Graco is part of your daily life.

The Category Manager will lead procurement activities across capital equipment, logistics, and marketing spend categories. This role plays a critical part in driving value, managing supplier relationships, and ensuring cost efficiency across key indirect procurement spends. The successful candidate will leverage market insights, internal stakeholder collaboration, and strategic sourcing methodologies to optimize supplier performance and enhance category outcomes.

What You Will Do at Graco

Category Strategy Development:

• Develop and implement category management strategies for Capital, Logistics, & Marketing procurement that is aligned with business objectives.

• Conduct market analysis, spend profiling, and supplier benchmarking to identify opportunities for cost savings and innovation.

• Understand, track, and forecast the key cost drivers and market factors for your categories.

Stakeholder Collaboration:

• Collaborate with various internal departments (such as operations, logistics, marketing, finance) to understand their procurement needs and establish procurement strategies.

• Provide expert advice on procurement best practices, acting as the primary liaison between internal teams and external suppliers.

Contract Management

• Effective at contract management and negotiation, effecting our organization's profitable growth goals, helping to minimize costs, and avoid financial losses, legal issues, and damaged relationships.

• Negotiate and manage complex contracts and agreements for assigned categories, assuring adherence to Service Level Agreements (SLA’s) or metrics.

Sourcing & Supplier Management

• Identify, analyze, and develop a consolidated supplier base to meet current and future procurement needs.

• Lead end-to-end sourcing processes, including RFP/RFI development, analysis, contract negotiation, and business award.

• Create and maintain mutually beneficial partnerships with suppliers to foster feedback and continuous improvement.

• Perform other duties as assigned.

What You Will Bring to Graco

• BA/BS degree in Business, Engineering, Materials Management or equivalent. MBA preferred.

• C.P.M./C.P.I.M. certification desirable

• 3+ years of Indirect Strategic Sourcing or procurement experience.

• Ability to handle complex negotiations and contracts, including Master Service Agreements, Capital Equipment Agreements, and Master License Agreements.

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

• Work independently and in team environment.

• Ability to perform detailed Corporate Category studies and market research worldwide.

• Experience in complex analysis and resolution of complex sourcing problems requiring multi-functional participation.

• Proven ability to exceed individual and department goals.

• Adaptability to changing business conditions.

• Good project management and organizational skills

#LI-SK1

At Graco, you truly make a difference. Your unique talents contribute to our organizational growth and future. Not only do you make a difference, but Graco’s culture empowers employees to create their own career path. Whether you choose to advance within your current department or explore new opportunities in different divisions, you have the ability to build your future. Our managers are here to provide support and guidance as you continue to grow within your career.

Graco has excellent opportunities available to individuals who want to be part of a fast-moving, growing company that is committed to quality, innovation and solving fluid handling problems for our customers. Graco is proud to be named a Best Place to Work by Fortune Magazine in 2016, 2018, 2019, 2021 & 2022. Graco offers attractive compensation, benefits and career development opportunities. Graco’s comprehensive benefits include medical, dental, stock purchase plan, 401(k), tuition reimbursement and more.

Our company uses E-Verify to confirm the employment and eligibility of all newly hired employees. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, please visit www.dhs.gov/E-Verify.

The base pay range for this position is listed below, exclusive of fringe benefits or other compensation.  If you are hired, your final base hourly rate will be determined based on factors such as geographic location, skills, competencies, education, and/or experience.  In addition to those factors, we will also consider internal equity of our current employees.  Please keep in mind that the range provided is the full base salary range for the role.  Hiring at or near the maximum of the range would not be typical to allow for future and continued salary growth.

$74,100.00 - $129,600.00