Below are the 11 Category Managers with various industry and systems experience. The Thor Group® provides category managers on a consulting, contracting or direct hire basis.

Would hiring a category manager with experience working in chemical, food and communications industries help meet the needs of your organization? Educational attainment is composed of BS degree in Business Administration and Management. Professional certifications involve Certified Purchasing/Supply Chain Manager, PSCM-C and Certified Purchasing Manager (CPM). Software skills involve SAP SCM, SAP Ariba and Oracle.

Acting as a category manager (with SAP Ariba) in a chemical company, negotiated 35 global engineering, consulting, IT services & equipment global agreements reducing risk. Also, led procurement on $195 million capital expansion, as well as sourced $110 million in capital equipment (heat exchangers, tanks, compressors, turbines). Additionally, negotiated catalyst and catalyst removal and installation service for 2014 turnaround, as well as negotiated liquidated damages in equipment agreements that brought in over $400K. Moreover, Oracle EAM and SAP software were utilized.

While working for a packaged food company as a category leader, managed $120 million dairy ingredient budget for 2 plants & 2 third party manufacturers. Some of the tasks were negotiating agreements for federal government approved dairy ingredients from domestic and international sources. Furthermore, developed & implemented action plan with plant planners to ensure supply in globally tight market.

Could the future success of your organization be helped by this category manager with work experience in children’s hospital, pharmaceutical and diagnostics laboratory? Educational attainment is composed of BS in Business Logistics and International Business. Professional certifications involve Green Belt and APICS certifications. Systems skills involve JDA/AS400 Inventory Management System, Lawson, PeopleSoft and SAP.

Contributed to the organization’s success by managing indirect categories including commercial sales & marketing, human resources, professional services, medical affairs, travel, and contingent staffing. As a category manager, has developed the strategic direction of the indirect category for Corporate Procurement, as well as worked closely with senior business partners/stakeholders to achieve objectives and drive value by providing cost savings while ensuring customer service and quality. This professional has established and managed strong partner relationships with strategic and collaborative suppliers through SBEM (Supplier business engagement model). Also, was responsible for the achievement of service level metrics in each category. A notable contribution was negotiating an early termination of an agreement resulting in $400K savings (i.e. cost avoidance).

Supported organizational goals and objectives by achieving significant initial cost reductions and ongoing gross profit/earnings contribution through negotiations. Accomplishments involved surpassing individual and department savings target in 2014 and 2015 (target dept. goal was $55M). Acting as a category manager, has worked closely and inclusively with key stakeholders to develop effective cost reduction strategies and implementation plans.

What contributions could a category manager with experience working in pharmaceutical, telecommunications and manufacturing industries bring to your organization? Educational background is composed of BS in Marketing (minor in International Business) and MBA (Finance). Technical skills involve JD Edwards SCM and Oracle 11i. The executive has proven ability to succeed in product management, Marketing, and strategic sourcing environments, in addition to strong technical aptitude and analytical focus.

Shared expertise by managing the integration of 60+ creative and scientific agencies constituting >160 Million dollars in combined spend across entities. While working in a pharmaceutical company as category manager, served as global agency sourcing strategy project core team Member and implementation lead. Furthermore, was responsible for all agency-facing matters for the company stakeholder community as well as to the agency partner supply base.

In another job, challenges like architecting and project managing the launch of Oracle 11i and JD Edwards ERP system implementations were successfully completed on a regular basis. Serving in a telecommunications company as strategic sourcing manager & materials planner, delivered business-impacting supply chain management: drove 24% of the Cost out of flagship Channel Monitor BOM (4.5 Million dollars savings), as well as consolidated supply base by 20%. In addition, increased parts availability and reduced production down time by 15%, as well as improved quality and consistency of materials, reducing waste by 10%.

Would hiring a category manager with experience working in retail, oil/gas and beverage industries help meet the needs of your organization? Educational attainment is composed of Bachelor of Science, Management of Information Systems, Minor in Mathematics and Master of Business Administration. Professional certifications include Professional Category Analyst certification, Professional JDA Space Planning certification, Category Captaincy from Key Regional Retailers and Green Belt Project Certification (Package Liquor-Category Management). Technical skills consist of JDA and SQL.

Acting as a category manager in a beverage company, has ensured the Space Management team receives appropriate training and development related to the JDA software, automation scripts, product knowledge, fixture utilization and safety guidelines, as well as consumer shopping behaviors. Also, has provided Planogram Analytics using point of sale (POS) data to help manage inventory, improve sales and profits, as well as manage store labor costs aiding in proper space allocation and product mix at the account level. Moreover, has led the development of Retailer strategic and tactical planogram action plans, establishing priorities that are consistent with the retailer’s buying team goals and objectives.

While working for a retail company as a manager of category space, has utilized extensive technical skills (Access, Excel, SQL Server programming) to routinely analyze data (scan and IRI) to regularly report to the HEB buyer on what’s happening in each beverage segment at the store level and chain wide.

Could the future success of your organization be helped by this global category manager with work experience in computer hardware and IT services industries? Educational attainment is composed of Bachelor of Science in Business Management (MIS and Marketing concentrations). Software knowledge includes SAP SCM and SAP Ariba. Core competencies involve supply chain management, vendor management, procurement, RFP/RFI/RFQ, process improvement and supply/demand planning.

Contributed to the organization’s success by being responsible for sourcing, purchasing, and managing spend for all non-production goods or services used internally and responsible for leading the following activities for a computer hardware company using SAP Ariba as repository. While employed as a global category manager in a computer hardware company, worked with business unit/budget owner on appropriate spending strategy, including industry best practices, category/market trend analysis, and supplier capabilities. Other duties were selecting supplier sources based on driving competitive sourcing activities; RFP, RFQ, RFI, as well as forming contracts with selected suppliers to help ensure both deliverables and risk avoidance.

Supported organizational goals in an IT services provider by reporting customer order metrics to the company’s executive team on system-with-past due orders, including missed revenue, projected ship date, and completed shipments. This led to consistently exceeding revenue target by 20%. In another position in the same company, engaged in ongoing supply chain management process improvement and cost optimization. Furthermore, performed supply/demand, inventory, fulfilment and logistics analysis for products and/or commodities and led trade off recommendations to management.

Would it be beneficial for your organization to employ a category manager (SCM) with work experience in real estate, construction and manufacturing industries? Educational attainment is composed of BS Business Administration. Software proficiencies involve JD Edwards SCM, Access Database and MS Dynamics Great Plains. Besides having in-depth knowledge and proven Performance in Cost effective purchasing/ procurement/contracts along with supply chain management processes/ negotiations, expertise is also in supplier evaluation, negotiation and selection based on Price, delivery, quality and service that strategically align with corporate goals.

Serving in a real estate investment company as a category manager (SCM), centralized and streamlined over 15 service contracts for over 300 properties creating a Cost savings of $2M. Some of the tasks were managing 10 categories with a budget of over 100 Million dollars, providing Cost/Price analysis, as well as providing extensive vendor management for over 100 vendors. Additional responsibilities were sending out request for proposals (RFP’s) for services or products for over 10 regions and 300 properties.

While employed in the construction industry, led purchasing and accounting teams on conversion to JD Edwards software. Other duties were negotiating 5 Million dollars savings on indirect purchasing contracts. (spend down over 40%), as well as negotiating and managing over 100 contracts for National Purchasing Team. Furthermore, invoiced and collected 5 Million dollars to 15 Million dollars in rebates per year.

Would hiring a senior category analyst with experience working in distribution, beverage and retail industries help meet the needs of your organization? Educational attainment is composed of Bachelor of Science in Marketing. Professional certifications include Certified Professional Category Manager (Category Management Association). Technical skills consist of JDA Space Planning, Nielsen and IRI.

Acting as a category/space management analyst in a distribution company, has created planograms using JDA Space Planning software, as well as analyzed category sales to identify opportunities to optimize product assortments. Also, has participated at category sets to execute planograms on behalf of manufacturers. This specialist has utilized sales data to ensure fair share of space for major manufacturers and brands.

While working as a senior category analyst, has supported Business Managers with category reviews, pulled and analyzed sales data using a database in Nielsen Nitro, as well as utilized sales data to ensure fair share of space for major manufacturers and brands. Some of the tasks were creating planograms using JDA Space Planning software, analyzing category sales to identify opportunities to optimize product assortments, as well as participating at category sets to execute planograms on behalf of manufacturers.

Would a detail-oriented category manager (SCM) who worked in cosmetics, retail and apparel industries fit in your organization? Educational attainment is composed of Bachelor of Science in Management Information System (minor in Finance) and Master’s of Business Administration (Operations & Supply Chain Management). Software proficiencies involves JD Edwards SCM, E2Open, Gpak, JDA, Eprofile and MicroStrategy. This motivated supply chain professional has proven project management skills and demonstrated ability to solve problems as well as identify opportunities for process improvements.

Some accomplishments included managing 15 contract manufacturers with annual spend totaling 40 Million dollars for fragrance, personal care and skincare categories. Acting as category manager (SCM) in a cosmetic company, implemented quarterly supplier meetings for top suppliers to review supplier Performance, schedule adherence as well as on time and in full. Additional tasks were overseeing the development and production of new items, working closely with NPD&E and the CM to track development and identify any delays, as well as responsible for placing initial buys.

In another position, shared expertise by analyzing future demand of components and released POs according to MRP Messages in JD Edwards. Serving as material planner in a personal care/hair care company, assisted in mitigating shorts to the representative by working with the supplier and logistics to expedite shipments to the manufacturing plant. Part of the job was to team with respective sourcing managers and material manager to discuss dual sourcing or safety stock options.

Is impacting your organization with a category manager who worked in utility, automotive and construction industries a current business consideration? Educational attainment is composed of Bachelor of Business Administration and Master of Business Administration (MBA). Technical proficiencies involve SAP SCM, SAP R3, Ariba P2P, Oracle Financials and Ariba Solution SME: (Procurement to Payables). Core expertise consists of vendor/supplier consolidation and cost/savings tracking.

While employed in a utilities company as an IT category manager (indirect procurement, with SAP & Ariba), developed the software category for sourcing and cost savings. This professional focused on supporting information technology to include focus on $70M software maintenance accounts. Key duties were implementing maintenance renewals cost reduction for $150k per quarter, as well as implementing 1st software maintenance provider outside of publisher for over 50% cost savings. In addition, utilized SAP to issue POs and negotiated contracts for Master License Agreements, Master Consulting Agreements, and Master Service and Professional Service contracts.

Part of the job in an automotive company was to lead IT sourcing team within newly developed corporate procurement team for financial services division of a well-known motor group. Also, acted as subject matter expert for both sourcing and P2P modules in support of recent Ariba implementation. Furthermore, was responsible for mapping procurement and accounts payables requirements for two-way matching in new system including the design, and testing plan.

Would a detail-oriented category manager with work experience in retail, consumer goods and pharmaceutical industries fit in your organization? Educational attainment is composed of BA Computer Information Management. Technical skills involve JDA Application Suite: Enterprise Planning, Arthur Allocation, Manugistics, PMM, Intactix, BI Query and MicroStrategy. Core competencies include strategic marketing planning, merchandise strategy, sales promotions, new product launches, brand introductions, advertising programs and competitive analysis/placement.

Some accomplishments included developing and implementing strategic category plans to ensure alignment to overall sales, direct margin and inventory plans, as well as being responsible for private label new item development and brand strategy. As a category manager in a retail company, was responsible for pricing, assortment, brands, marketing, and store presentation, as well as managed and developed strong vendor relationships. Key duties were developing and implementing promotional and marketing plans to drive total category sales, profits and market share, as well as reviewing and analyzing all new products and making recommendations for merchandising, advertising, and promotional programs to optimize consumer loyalty, sales and profits. Shared expertise by being responsible for the supervision, training and development of Merchandise Associates.

In another job, developed partnerships with key vendors to define strategies that drove profitability and manage inventory investments for improved ROI. Furthermore, successfully led team in conversion from legacy systems to JDA Manugistics with minimal interruption to product flow.

What contributions could a category manager with work experience in utility and pharmaceutical industries bring to your organization? Educational background is composed of Bachelor degree of Business Management and Master’s degree of Organizational Effectiveness Development & Change (credits). Technological knowledge involves SAP SCM and SAP Ariba sourcing tool.

Challenges like managing procurement services in the area of contract review and negotiations, RFP review and rated, supplier management, supplier capabilities and mitigated risk were welcomed and successfully completed on a regular basis. While employed in a utilities company as an IT category manager contractor (with SAP & ARIBA) in a utilities company, led software licensing, telecom mobile services; cybersecurity; call center projects and contract review project. Additionally, negotiated corporate travel hotel rate and documented storage/destruction contract agreements. Moreover, managed engineering and construction services RFPs in Ariba, as well as performed SAP data analysis reporting related to varied IT categories.

Shared expertise by providing procurement management support services in the area of human resource, IS and professional services as needed for contract period. In a pharmaceutical company, managed procurement eLearning, instructor-led training, recruitment, coaching services, human resource e-tools, outplacement services, as well as varied consulting master service agreements. Furthermore, managed procurement services in the area of contract review and language negotiations, RFP review and rated, supplier management, master services agreement vendor analysis, supplier capabilities and mitigated risk.