Job Title: Senior Category Manager

Location: Somerset, NJ (Hybrid)

Salary: $140,000 - $160,000

A highly reputable manufacturing company is looking for a Senior Category Manager to join their team! This role includes a large range of duties including but not limited to global ownership of a defined category, with a strong emphasis on building and executing long-term, 5–10 year category strategies aligned to business objectives. The Category Manager will lead the end-to-end supplier strategy, including evaluating, selecting, developing, consolidating, or exiting suppliers to optimize the global supply base. Acting as the subject matter expert (SME), this individual will provide strategic guidance to internal stakeholders while driving supplier performance across cost, quality, delivery, and innovation. The position requires close cross-functional collaboration with engineering, operations, and leadership teams to ensure alignment and value creation. Additionally, the role focuses on proactively identifying and mitigating supply chain risks, strengthening supplier relationships, and transitioning the organization from reactive firefighting to a more strategic, forward-looking approach to procurement and category management.

Responsibilities

• Own and execute the sourcing strategy for a specific category or sub-category, ensuring alignment with overall business and supply chain objectives
• Manage the full lifecycle of suppliers, including selection, onboarding, and ongoing performance management
• Lead negotiations for pricing, commercial terms, and supplier agreements to achieve cost savings and favorable conditions
• Drive cost savings and cost optimization initiatives, taking direct ownership of cost reduction targets and outcomes
• Partner closely with engineering and operations teams to support sourcing decisions and evaluate technical requirements
• Monitor and manage supplier performance using scorecards, KPIs, and regular business reviews
• Actively manage supplier relationships to ensure consistent performance and accountability
• Identify and mitigate supply chain risks such as capacity constraints, single-source exposure, and continuity risks
• Analyze data, cost drivers, and total cost of ownership (TCO) to inform sourcing strategies
• Execute sourcing initiatives end-to-end, ensuring timely and effective delivery of results
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to maintain alignment on priorities and timelines
• Contribute to continuous improvement of sourcing processes and tools

Essential Skills

• Bachelor’s degree required, Masters degree preferred
• 12+ years of Supply Chain experience required
• 5+ years owning a category
• Industry experience required
• Proven experience in strategic sourcing (not transactional buying)
• Demonstrated ability to build and execute long-term category strategies
• Strong supplier management and negotiation skills

Benefits:

• Great benefits package
• Work life balance
• Stability and clear opportunities for growth into other areas of the dealership over time.

INTERVIEWS HAPPENING THIS WEEK

This position is moving extremely fast as this is an urgent need for the client. If interested, please send over your most up to date resume along with your availability for a 10-minute phone call to dyseidenberg@astoncarter.com

Job Type & Location

This is a Permanent position based out of Somerset, NJ.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $130,000.00 - $160,000.00/yr.

We can send candidates the benefits guide they shared with us

Workplace Type

This is a fully remote position.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Aug 1, 2026.

About Aston Carter

Aston Carter provides world-class corporate talent solutions to thousands of clients across the globe. Specialized in accounting, finance, human resources, talent acquisition, procurement, supply chain and select administrative professions, we extend the capabilities of industry-leading companies. We draw on our deep recruiting expertise and expansive network to meet the evolving needs of our clients and talent community with agility and excellence. With offices across the U.S., Canada, Asia Pacific and Europe, Aston Carter serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® Platinum Award winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email astoncarteraccommodation@astoncarter.com for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.