Category Manager

James Hardie Building Products Inc. is the North American leader in fiber cement home siding and exterior design solutions. Hardie® products offer long lasting beauty and endless design possibilities with trusted protection and low maintenance. The company pioneered modern fiber cement building products and continues to invest in innovation to transform the industry. James Hardie is a high-performance organization, with an unwavering commitment to Zero Harm. The company proudly employs a diverse workforce of over 3,000 employees across operations in North America.

Make your dream career a reality. It’s possible!

Hybrid - 3 days in the Chicago downtown offices/2 days remote

The Indirect Category Manager has ownership of ~$100 - 200MM+ USD of assigned spend and is responsible for ensuring James Hardie receives the optimal balance of cost, quality, and service for assigned procurement categories.  Potential categories include Professional Services, IT/Telecom, and HR.  This position will report to the Senior Manager – Indirect Procurement. 

The Category Manager possesses strong decision-making ability to address day-to-day operational challenges and address deviation from results with defined action plans and collaboration. Decision making initiative is expected to be independent in a high accountability team environment.  The Category Manager is required to make key decisions that will have both immediate and long-term impact.  Innovative solutions are required to identify continuous improvement opportunities.  Additionally, a high degree of interaction with a diverse range of stakeholders is required to ensure continuous alignment.
 

What You’ll Do:

• Lead and facilitate the strategic sourcing process for assigned categories: market and industry analysis, supplier identification and research, category, and supplier segmentation, conducting sourcing events, analysis, negotiation, contracting and implementation
• Ensure business needs are met through development and implementation of supply continuity plans 
• Identify and monitor cost drivers and pricing trends, communicating to the organization, and taking action as appropriate
• Achieve cost savings targets through project identification and execution
• Operate cross-functionally to ensure organizational alignment for sourcing strategies and projects
• Achieve in-depth understanding of assigned categories
• Compliance to James Hardie procurement policy and procedures

What You’ll Bring:

• Bachelor's degree required
• Minimum of 6 years’ experience in Procurement
• Financial strategy and analysis based on business needs 
• High results-orientation
• Strong communication skills
• Ability to effectively negotiate and influence business decisions and change.
• Strong analytical, planning and execution skills.
• Can be direct as well as diplomatic.
• Ability to multitask and manage projects at varying levels of complexity
• Can effectively articulate various perspectives and impacts to business stakeholders.
• Can work through tough agreements and settle disputes effectively.
• Anticipates and adjusts for problems and obstacles.
• Effective at establishing trust and building business relationships while operating with respect. 
• Organizational Agility – ability to complete projects through formal and informal channels.
• Priority Setting – Spends their time and the time of others on what’s most important.  Eliminates roadblocks and creates focus.
• Strong understanding of Excel
• Demonstrated ability to function as a strong team player.
• Demonstrated ability to act independently upon information and make decisions that achieve optimal results.

What You’ll Receive

• At James Hardie, we recognize that our success depends on our people. We've worked hard to build a generous and competitive benefits program that demonstrates our commitment to our employees. 
• Comprehensive low-cost co-pay Health Insurance; medical, dental, prescription, and vision insurance benefits for every 30+ hour full-time employee. Insurance starts on day one!
• 401(k) Retirement plan that will match 100% of employees saved dollars up to the first 6% of your salary
• Paid holidays, paid vacation including Jury Duty and bereavement leave
• Wellness Program
• Employee Assistance Program 
• Parental Leave
• Community Involvement & Sustainable Solutions - Fire Resistant Siding to Help Rebuild the Grizzly Flats Community | James Hardie
• And more 

Apply now and come “home” to Hardie!

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James Hardie Building Products Inc. is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, gender, sex, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, genetic information, veteran's status, marital status, pregnancy, disability, or any other basis protected by law.