Cost Analysis

Category Manager – Direct Materials | Strategic Sourcing, SAP, Manufacturing | Denver, CO (Hybrid)

Category Manager – Direct Materials

📍 Location: Denver, Colorado (Hybrid – 3 days onsite / 2 days remote)
💼 Employment Type: Full-Time
🎓 Education: Bachelor’s Degree required
📈 Experience Level: Mid-Senior
🕒 Experience Required: 5–7+ years
✈️ Travel: Occasional
🌎 Visa Sponsorship: Not available
🚚 Relocation Assistance: Not available

Role Overview

We are seeking a Category Manager – Direct Materials to lead strategic sourcing initiatives across a multi-site manufacturing environment.

This role is responsible for optimising cost, quality, and supply continuity, while driving supplier performance and supporting innovation through strong cross-functional collaboration with R&D, Product, and Operations teams.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Sourcing & Cost Optimisation

  • Develop and execute data-driven category strategies for direct/raw materials

  • Build and maintain should-cost models to support negotiations and pricing decisions

  • Deliver year-over-year cost savings through:

    • Strategic negotiations

    • Competitive sourcing events

    • Supplier rationalisation

    • Value engineering initiatives

  • Track and report performance using KPIs, scorecards, and executive updates

Supplier & Contract Management

  • Manage supplier relationships to ensure:

    • Quality performance

    • Cost competitiveness

    • Supply reliability

  • Lead supplier development initiatives to improve capability and alignment

  • Own contract lifecycle management, including compliance and renewals

  • Manage $20M+ spend categories

Project & Cross-Functional Leadership

  • Lead cross-functional teams across:

    • R&D

    • Product Management

    • Operations

    • Finance

    • Quality

  • Support:

    • New supplier qualification

    • New product introductions (NPI)

    • Material evaluation and innovation initiatives

  • Act as the primary commercial interface across multiple facilities

Risk Management & Supply Continuity

  • Proactively identify and mitigate supply chain risks

  • Develop and implement contingency plans

  • Lead root cause analysis and corrective actions for supply disruptions

  • Ensure uninterrupted supply of critical materials

Process Improvement

  • Identify and implement process improvements to increase efficiency

  • Streamline sourcing and supply chain operations

  • Drive adoption of best practices across the organisation

Required Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s degree required

  • 5+ years of experience in supply chain or sourcing, including:

    • At least 3 years sourcing within a large/complex organisation

  • Proven experience sourcing direct/raw materials in manufacturing environments

  • Experience managing $20M+ spend categories

  • Strong contract negotiation and supplier management experience

Technical Skills

  • Expertise in should-cost modelling and cost analysis

  • Strong understanding of commodity/category management principles

  • Experience with e-sourcing tools

  • Proficiency with:

    • SAP or similar ERP systems

    • Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, Word, Outlook

Preferred Qualifications

  • CPSM (Certified Professional in Supply Management) certification

  • Experience supporting new product development or R&D initiatives

  • Background in multi-site manufacturing environments

Key Competencies

  • Strong analytical and strategic thinking skills

  • Excellent communication and stakeholder management abilities

  • Proven ability to lead cross-functional teams

  • Proactive, collaborative mindset with focus on continuous improvement

  • Ability to present insights to senior and non-technical stakeholders

Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate will:

  • Have direct experience sourcing raw/direct materials within manufacturing

  • Be comfortable managing large spend categories and complex supplier networks

  • Demonstrate strong commercial acumen and negotiation capability

  • Thrive in a cross-functional, fast-paced environment

  • Have a track record of delivering cost savings and supplier performance improvements

Benefits

  • Comprehensive benefits package

  • Health and wellbeing coverage

  • Paid time off

  • Additional employee benefits

Screening Question

  • Do you have experience sourcing raw or direct materials for manufacturing plants?

 

Senior Estimator – Heavy Civil & Highway Construction | Draper, UT | Competitive Pay + Bonus

Senior Estimator – Heavy Civil / Heavy Highway

📍 Location: Draper, Utah (office-based with occasional travel)
💼 Employment Type: Full-Time | Mid-Senior Level
💲 Salary Range: Depending on Experience
🎁 Benefits: Comprehensive benefits package, bonus opportunities, and possible relocation assistance for the ideal candidate
🛂 Visa Sponsorship: Not available

Build the Future of Infrastructure

We are seeking a Senior Estimator with a passion for shaping the communities of tomorrow through complex, large-scale infrastructure projects. This is an opportunity to take ownership of the estimating process from the first plan review to the final bid submission—delivering competitive, precise estimates that make multimillion-dollar projects a reality.

With decades of expertise in highways, bridges, rail, and heavy civil construction, our team is growing—and we want you to bring your technical mastery, leadership skills, and strategic mindset to the table.

What You’ll Do

  • Lead Estimating Efforts – Analyze proposals, drawings, and specifications to define scope and develop accurate, competitive bids.

  • Data-Driven Estimating – Leverage cost reports, production data, and historical records to establish unit costs and man-hour estimates.

  • Develop Complete Estimates – From takeoffs to subcontracting strategies, prepare detailed and compliant project estimates.

  • Ensure Accuracy – Maintain organized records and documentation for all estimates, ensuring transparency and backup support.

  • Collaborate with Leadership – Present bids and strategies to senior leadership with clarity and confidence.

  • Mentor Junior Estimators – Share expertise and guide less experienced team members, fostering a culture of accuracy and growth.

  • Stay Ahead of the Curve – Remain current with industry standards, tools, and innovative approaches to estimating.

What You Bring

Required:

  • 10+ years of heavy civil/highway estimating experience (including underground utility work).

  • Proven track record with $50M–$100M+ projects using bottom-up estimating strategies.

  • Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering or Construction Management (or equivalent technical training/field experience).

  • Expertise in Bid2Win and proficiency with:

    • Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook)

    • Takeoff software (AgTEK, Bluebeam, Planswift)

    • Scheduling software (Primavera)

  • Strong communication and presentation skills, with the ability to influence, negotiate, and collaborate across teams.

Preferred:

  • Experience with HCSS HeavyBid or Hard Dollar EOS.

  • Familiarity with CMAR, CMGC, and Design-Build project delivery methods.

  • Background in mentoring and developing junior estimating staff.

Why Join Us?

  • 🏗 Impactful Work – Contribute to projects that shape communities and infrastructure for generations.

  • 💡 Growth & Leadership – Clear pathways to leadership within preconstruction and estimating teams.

  • 🤝 Supportive Culture – A collaborative environment where your expertise is recognized and valued.

  • 📈 Stability & Innovation – Decades of success with a forward-looking, innovative leadership team.

  • 💰 Competitive Rewards – Attractive compensation, benefits, and relocation assistance (for the right candidate).

Screening Question

  • Do you have experience estimating projects ranging from $10M to $50M?

 

Your new job awaits.

Start the process →