Category Manager

📍 Location: Blue Mountain, MS or Ochlocknee, GA 🏢 Work Model: Onsite (Monday-Friday required) This position is based at an active mine site and requires daily onsite presence. Work conditions may include uneven terrain, climbing ladders, navigating steps, and exposure to varying weather conditions such as heat, rain, or mud. Regular in-person attendance consistent with the Company's established work schedule is an essential function of this position to facilitate effective collaboration, communication, and business operations. About Oil-Dri Founded in 1941, Oil-Dri Corporation of America is a leading global, vertically integrated manufacturer of specialty sorbent products for consumer and B2B markets. Headquartered in Chicago, we are a publicly traded, family-controlled organization built on honesty, integrity, and accountability. Our mission is simple: Create Value From Sorbent Minerals®. About the Role Are you a strategic sourcing professional who enjoys solving complex supply challenges, negotiating value-driven agreements, and building strong supplier partnerships? We are looking for a Category Manager to lead strategic sourcing and procurement initiatives across key spend categories representing more than $40 million in annual spend. This role serves as the procurement subject matter expert for assigned categories and plays a critical role in driving cost savings, supplier performance, risk mitigation, and supply continuity. You'll partner closely with Operations, Planning, Quality, Engineering, Finance, and other business leaders to improve cost, quality, service, and Total Cost of Ownership while supporting the company's long-term growth objectives. This is an opportunity to lead high-impact initiatives, influence business decisions, and make a measurable impact without direct authority. What You'll Do Own Strategic Categories: Develop and execute sourcing strategies for categories representing more than $40MM in annual spend. Lead Strategic Sourcing Events: Manage RFIs, RFQs, and RFPs from supplier identification through implementation. Drive Commercial Negotiations: Negotiate contracts, pricing, rebates, freight terms, payment terms, and volume commitments. Deliver Cost Improvements: Identify opportunities for cost reduction, cost avoidance, standardization, supplier consolidation, and productivity gains. Manage Supplier Performance: Establish KPIs and lead business reviews focused on cost, quality, delivery, service, responsiveness, and capacity. Protect Supply Continuity: Develop contingency plans, evaluate alternate sourcing opportunities, and mitigate supply risks. Partner Cross-Functionally: Work closely with Operations, Planning, Engineering, Quality, and Finance to support business objectives. Leverage Data & Market Intelligence: Analyze spend, supplier markets, cost drivers, and industry trends to guide sourcing decisions. Support Governance & Compliance: Ensure sourcing activities align with company policies, approvals, contracts, and internal controls. What We're Looking For Experience: 5+ years of progressive experience in Procurement, Strategic Sourcing, Supply Chain, Material Planning, Operations, or a related field. Category Management: Experience developing category strategies and leading strategic sourcing initiatives. Supplier Management: Demonstrated success managing supplier relationships and performance. Negotiation Skills: Strong contract negotiation and commercial management experience. Analytical Capability: Experience with spend analysis, cost analysis, market intelligence, and Total Cost of Ownership methodologies. Business Acumen: Strong financial, analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills. Leadership: Ability to influence stakeholders and lead projects without direct authority. Communication: Strong negotiation, presentation, and relationship-building skills. Technology: Proficiency with Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint. Travel: Ability to travel approximately 10-15%, with addi…

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