Job Description
Job Title: Category Manager
Location: Brampton, ON
Victaulic, founded in 1919, revolutionized pipe assembly with the invention of the "Victory Joint." Today, it's a global leader in grooved mechanical pipe joining and flow control solutions. With over 4,000 patents and operations in 140+ countries, Victaulic serves various industries, including commercial construction, fire protection, industrial construction, maritime, mining, oil, gas, chemical, power generation, and water/wastewater. The company offers a wide range of products, solutions, and services, including couplings, valves, fittings, and engineering design support. Notable projects include the Hoover Dam, World Trade Center Complex, Eiffel Tower, Shanghai Tower, CN Tower, and Vancouver Convention Centre. With 5,500+ employees and 700+ sales reps., Victaulic continues to innovate and exceed customer expectations worldwide. For more information, visit www.victaulic.com.
Job Scope
The Category Manager (CM) will serve as the lead for negotiations and supplier management across Victaulic’s global supply base, driving the strategic sourcing process on an international scale. The CM will develop, implement, and manage global category strategies to ensure optimal supply assurance, pricing, flexibility, quality, and delivery performance.
This role is responsible for benchmarking new processes, approaches, and technologies to drive continuous improvement in performance and business outcomes. The CM will research and analyze procurement trends, develop a deep understanding of market conditions, and propose global supply chain solutions with a focus on total cost of ownership.
The CM will present supply chain strategies to leadership to gain alignment and support, negotiate major/global agreements (including pricing, terms, risk mitigation, and warranties), and act as the primary owner of supplier relationships. The role also involves building strong internal and external partnerships to meet cost, quality, and delivery objectives while minimizing total cost of ownership.
Key Responsibilities
Category Management
- Manage all aspects of category management, including business planning, global market and pricing analysis, and procurement support.
- Contribute to the development of strategic category objectives and goals.
- Develop global category strategies with defined plans for cost savings, risk assessment/mitigation, and service level agreements.
- Lead the development and execution of supplier negotiation strategies, including targets for pricing, service, quality, intellectual property, tooling ownership, exclusivity, and inventory.
- Monitor market conditions and technology roadmaps to identify supply/demand challenges and opportunities.
- Develop subject matter expertise in assigned commodities through research, benchmarking, and cost analysis (including lifecycle costing).
- Provide market intelligence, including category price trends and competitive sourcing insights.
- Serve as a center of knowledge for assigned categories and share insights with stakeholders to support planning, forecasting, and execution.
- Develop and maintain global should-cost models.
Sourcing Management
- Lead strategic sourcing initiatives across assigned commodities and finished products for multiple Victaulic locations and subsidiaries.
- Identify and engage cross-functional stakeholders to define and implement strategies that reduce cost, improve quality and delivery, and strengthen competitive positioning.
- Conduct spend analysis and assess market trends to prioritize sourcing initiatives.
- Evaluate current suppliers, consolidate spend across locations, and identify high-potential global suppliers.
- Drive 5% year-over-year net cost reductions within assigned categories.
- Manage supplier relationships and performance, including issue resolution.
KPIs / Metrics
- Develop and track supplier performance metrics.
- Negotiate long-term strategic contracts that drive cost reduction and improved service levels.
Project Management
- Support New Product Introduction (NPI) programs as Program Manager by coordinating sourcing and supplier qualification activities globally.
- Manage multiple projects, track timelines, and coordinate cross-functional team activities.
- Monitor category market conditions and identify ongoing risks and opportunities.
- Participate in special sourcing-related projects as required.
Qualifications
Education & Experience
- Bachelor’s degree in Business, Finance, Engineering, or Supply Chain Management (required).
- Minimum 4+ years of progressive experience in Strategic Sourcing, Category Management, or a related field.
- Demonstrated experience applying strategic sourcing processes within a global, multi-plant manufacturing environment.
- Proven track record of delivering cost reductions and service level improvements.
Skills & Competencies
- Strong expertise in negotiating long-term contracts, including risk mitigation.
- Ability to develop KPIs and evaluate sourcing alternatives.
- Proven ability to lead cross-functional teams and drive consensus.
- Excellent communication skills with the ability to influence at all organizational levels.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills using modern tools and methodologies.
- Ability to collaborate with global stakeholders across multiple regions.
Other Requirements
- Willingness to travel up to 25%.
Salary: $80 - 110k (based on experience)
Victaulic is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer, welcoming applicants without discrimination based on age, race, colour, national origin, citizenship, religion, creed, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, veteran status, or any other protected status. Join us in creating an inclusive workplace that values the unique contributions of individuals from all backgrounds.
Victaulic is committed to providing equitable opportunities to all applicants and welcome applications from all qualified persons. Accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process. If you require an accommodation, please notify us at hr.canada@victaulic.com and we will work with you to meet your needs.
AI‑assisted tools may be used to support the review of applications as part of the hiring process.
#LI-JL1
