Global Category Manager, Mechanical - Business Line Analytical

This position is listed on behalf of a partner company, who manages all applications and next steps. Our partner is looking for a Global Category Manager, Mechanical - Business Line Analytical based in Canada.

This is a senior individual contributor opportunity for an experienced sourcing professional to lead the global mechanical category strategy within an analytical business environment. The role covers a broad portfolio of mechanical components, including castings, forgings, and plastics, with responsibility for shaping the supplier landscape and driving long-term value. You will work closely with factories and local, regional, and global stakeholders to build a resilient, cost-effective, and sustainable supply chain. With global market shifts and tariffs influencing costs and availability, you will play a key role in strengthening supply continuity and mitigating procurement risks. Combining strategic ownership with hands-on execution, you will translate sourcing plans into measurable business outcomes. This is an opportunity to make a meaningful impact on global procurement performance while collaborating with a supportive, execution-focused team.

Accountabilities

• Develop and implement the global mechanical category strategy, covering supplier footprint, risk mitigation, cost optimization, and supply chain resilience.

• Lead strategic sourcing initiatives in line with the CIPS process, ensuring suppliers have the capabilities and capacity to meet current and future business needs.

• Negotiate commercial agreements with key suppliers, renew price lists, and manage contractual terms and conditions.

• Oversee procurement planning, budgets, savings forecasts, and cost-reduction programs to achieve financial objectives.

• Identify, assess, and select suppliers based on quality, delivery performance, cost competitiveness, and sustainability.

• Manage supplier contracts and maintain effective oversight of supplier performance and relationships.

• Align factories, local teams, and global stakeholders on category priorities, ensuring consistent strategy execution and achievement of sourcing performance targets.

• Monitor category performance and translate strategic objectives into practical actions and measurable results.

Requirements:

• Proven professional experience in strategic sourcing and category management, ideally involving mechanical components, castings, forgings, or plastics.

• Demonstrated ability to develop and execute global category strategies, translating plans into tangible operational and financial results.

• Strong understanding of supplier management, procurement processes, sourcing strategies, and commercial negotiations.

• Experience managing supplier agreements, pricing structures, contractual terms, and ongoing supplier performance.

• Ability to analyze procurement data, prepare reports, and use insights to guide sourcing decisions and cost optimization.

• Excellent stakeholder management skills, with the ability to build alignment across factories, local teams, regional functions, and global leadership.

• Strong negotiation, communication, and relationship-building abilities.

• A collaborative, pragmatic, and humble approach, combined with the initiative to take ownership and deliver results.

Benefits:

• Opportunity to lead a global category with significant business impact.

• Autonomy to shape the supplier base and category strategy from the outset.

• Supportive, hands-on team environment that prioritizes practical execution and measurable outcomes.

• Full-time position with remote work arrangements.

• Compensation note: The advertised annual base salary of USD $119,000–$221,000, plus eligibility for an annual bonus, applies to US candidates only. Canadian compensation details were not specified.