Associate Category Manager – Supply Chain

The Associate Category Manager will support the strategic management of Supply Chain spend categories, including the development, execution, and management of sourcing initiatives across indirect and capital expenditures. This role will conduct data analysis to identify cost optimization opportunities, support the development of negotiation strategies, and maintain ongoing communication with key stakeholders. You will collaborate with internal partners to optimize sourcing decisions, manage supplier relationships, and strengthen the governance of organizational spend. What You’ll Do The Associate Category Manager will partner with business stakeholders on primarily supply chain and distribution-related sourcing initiatives. Responsibilities include obtaining stakeholder alignment, gathering business requirements and data, developing and managing RFx events, analyzing results, consulting with Procurement leadership on negotiation strategies, communicating recommendations, and demonstrating the value delivered through the sourcing process. Conduct supplier, market, and industry research to understand category trends, competitive dynamics, emerging technologies, and supplier capabilities in support of category and sourcing strategies. Build alignment around recommendations by clearly communicating business value, addressing stakeholder questions, and supporting informed decision-making. Develop clear project summaries, reports, presentations, sourcing documentation, and knowledge resources. Leverage procurement technology, data analytics, and emerging AI-enabled tools to improve research, analysis, sourcing efficiency, and the quality of business recommendations. Support Indirect Procurement departmental goals, including sourced savings, spend under management, contract coverage, process rigor, and stakeholder engagement. Who You Are If you have a passion for procurement, a professional presence, an aptitude for relationship building, experience supporting supply chain initiatives, and the curiosity to learn and drive results, we welcome you to apply! Required Skills An undergraduate degree in relevant areas such as Procurement, IT, Supply Chain, Marketing, Business Management, Operations, or Finance. Ability to build relationships with stakeholders to gather requirements and specifications from departments and category experts. Must possess 3-5 years of relevant experience (e.g. – sourcing, buying or procurement). Must have strong analytical, problem solving, organization and project management skills. Strong interpersonal and written communication skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities effectively. Experience in e-souring/contracts management tool. Preferred Skills Knowledge of the supply chain, distribution, logistics or related spend categories. Experience supporting supplier negotiations and competitive sourcing events. Proficiency in Excel and PowerPoint, with the ability to analyze data and communicate recommendations clearly. Familiarity with data visualization, automation, or AI-enabled productivity and analytical tools. Compensation Details: $88400 - $110700 per year Why should you join our team? We live our values - W.E.L.I.G.H.T (Winning, Excellence, Love, Integrity, Gratitude, Humility, and Teamwork). Gratitude. Humility. Love. You don’t often see values like these in most corporate statements, but Ace is different. These things are important to us. They represent our commitment to the company, our employees, to Ace retailers and to the Ace brand. In addition to providing our employees a great culture, Ace also offers competitive benefits* that address life’s necessities and perks, many of which expand and improve year after year, including: Incentive opportunities, based on role/grade level (company growth over the past 5 years resulted in incentives being paid out at an average of 122% of your target opportunity!) Generous 401(k) retirement savings plan with a fully vested ma…

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