Strategic Category Manager

Own strategy. Optimize suppliers. Drive performance.

The Strategic Category Manager is accountable for building and optimizing the supplier portfolio for the North American market in close alignment with global Business Units. This role will lead the definition and execution of procurement strategies for assigned (sub) material groups across the western hemisphere, ensuring the organization meets its productivity, cost, and performance objectives.
Key responsibilities include managing and structuring the total TTM (Time To Money) project scope, setting and owning KPI targets for the allocated material group, and driving continuous improvement across the supply base. The role also oversees major supplier relationships, independently negotiates high value and complex supply agreements, and ensures robust contractual frameworks that support long term collaboration and business success.

What You'll do

Category Management

• Sound understanding of all elements and concepts of the procurement process.

Ability to trigger levers to sustainably create value through category strategies.

• Develop strategic procurement initiatives & best practices to develop the lowest total cost and maintain high quality standards.
• Lead sourcing indirect categories and services.to ensure optimized purchases are competitive and cost-effective.
• Own relevant RFP operations, including supplier studies, RFP establishment, submissions, deadlines, contract and term negotiations, and final recommendations.
• Develop and maintain mutually beneficial ties with local and international suppliers & facilitate business review meetings.
• Understand and successfully apply the process for supplier performance and risk management to drive continuous value creation and risk mitigation.
• Have a clear understanding of the indirect spending report for your own sourcing categories.

Collaborative Business Partner

• Develop and maintain close working relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Proactively inform management and the wider organization of their spending, influencing and promoting strategic sourcing and optimizing spending.
• Give stakeholders appropriate assistance to ensure that suppliers are effective in their daily operational procurement services.
• Engage with respective teams and effectively implement projects in designated markets.

Entrepreneurship

• Curious beyond his/her field of expertise to understand our business and partnership with different functions.
• Recognize the economic impact factors across the business and suggest alternatives to optimize the management of spending.
• Have passion to propose new ideas or innovations that would contribute to organizational development.

Process and Compliance

• Master, review and ensure compliance and evaluate the consequences for the organization if the rules are not followed.
• Continuously seek ways to improve operational productivity & efficiency.

What You’ll Bring

• Master’s Degree in Engineering or Business Administration required
• Minimum 3-5 years of work experience in a purchasing department / supply chain management and in international project management
• Sound understanding of related raw materials and production technologies with link to quality, availability, costs, and productivity
• Outstanding ability to think strategically
• Strong analytical and implementation skills that trigger levers to sustainably create value through category strategies by developing coherent, creative, “game-changing” sourcing strategies which maximizes own material group potential
• Ambitious and motivated personality with high focus on further personal development
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Curious beyond the field of expertise to understand our business and partnership with different functions

What’s In It for You

We are committed to caring for our people, which is why our retention has been over 90% for the last five years. It’s why we haven’t gone through any waves of layoffs – even during the COVID-19 pandemic. We value development, which is why 80-90% of our roles are filled internally. Success at Hilti comes down to teamwork and ability – the Hilti culture is contagious, and we have an excellent mix of people who are always looking to help one another.

Why Hilti

Hilti is a global leader in construction innovation, with more than 34,000 team members across 120 countries. Guided by our purpose, Making Construction Better, we’re driven to keep learning, growing, and finding new ways to make a lasting impact. Here, you’ll be empowered to use your strengths, work with a global and inclusive team, and take on meaningful challenges. At Hilti, you’ll have the chance to make your ideas, achievements, and growth real through purpose, passion, and teamwork.

Commitment to Inclusion

At Hilti, inclusion is a key focus in how we work, lead, and grow together. We are committed to embracing diversity of thought and creating an environment that is inclusive of everyone, everywhere. We continuously strive to ensure every voice is valued and every team member feels empowered to contribute. By building on this foundation, we strengthen our teams, our innovation, and our impact, making construction better together.

Hilti, Inc is committed to employing a diverse workforce. Qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, veteran status, or disability.