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?

Food Safety Quality Assurance Supervisor – Night Shift | Twin Falls, ID | $95K - $111K + Bonus

Exciting Opportunity: Food Safety Quality Assurance Supervisor

Location: Twin Falls, Idaho, USA
Position Type: Full-time, Onsite (Night Shift: 6 PM - 6 AM)
Compensation: Base Salary $95,100 - $110,967 + Bonus Potential
Relocation Assistance: Available for the ideal candidate

About the Role:
We are looking for a highly skilled and driven Food Safety Quality Assurance Supervisor to join our team and lead the charge in ensuring the highest quality standards in manufacturing. In this role, you’ll be responsible for achieving quality objectives, monitoring department performance, and driving continuous improvement in food safety processes. Your leadership will directly influence product quality, team development, and operational efficiency. You'll also have the opportunity to manage crisis situations, ensuring adherence to laws, food safety standards, and consumer requirements.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead the development and execution of quality objectives and plans in line with regional and global commitments.

• Oversee budget tracking, eliminate losses, and drive continuous improvement.

• Conduct regular assessments (Plan-Do-Check-Act) to ensure targets are met.

• Ensure strict compliance with food safety standards, consumer requirements, and legal regulations.

• Manage crisis situations while maintaining the company’s reputation and business standards.

• Recruit, structure, and coach a high-performing team to meet plant objectives and performance goals.

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including suppliers and customers, to address quality and food safety concerns.

• Lead the implementation of quality systems, including SQF, HACCP, FSSC 22000, and Kosher certifications.

• Motivate and guide team members to drive exceptional performance in a fast-paced environment.

What You’ll Bring:

• 5-8 years of experience in manufacturing, production, or quality assurance.

• At least 5 years of leadership experience, managing a diverse team in a fast-paced environment.

• Strong technical expertise in food safety, quality management, and regulatory compliance.

• Expertise in Total Productive Maintenance (TPM) methodology, especially in the Quality Maintenance (QM) pillar.

• In-depth knowledge of quality systems, customer service policies, and sanitation practices.

• Excellent problem-solving, communication, and decision-making skills.

• Certified or knowledgeable in SQF, HACCP, FSSC 22000, and Kosher standards.

Why You Should Apply:

• Competitive salary of $95,100 - $110,967, with performance-based bonus potential.

• Comprehensive benefits including health insurance, wellness programs, paid time off, and retirement savings plans.

• Professional growth opportunities in a supportive and innovative environment.

• Relocation assistance for the right candidate.

If you're ready to take on a pivotal role where your leadership will directly impact the success of our operations, apply today and be part of a team that values food safety and quality excellence!

Quality Engineer II – Manufacturing Excellence | Mapleton, IL

Quality Engineer II
Location: Mapleton, Illinois, United States

Industry: Manufacturing & Production
Job Category: Manufacturing - Quality

Job Summary
A leading manufacturing facility in Mapleton, IL, is seeking a Quality Engineer II to support process improvements, product quality, and operational excellence. The role focuses on conducting investigations and analyses that contribute to the development and implementation of quality standards for parts and prime products. The Quality Engineer will collaborate across departments to enhance quality practices, resolve production issues, and drive continuous improvement.

Key Responsibilities:

• Partner with various departments to enhance quality practices through coaching, tracking continuous improvement initiatives, and monitoring quality scorecards.

• Lead the implementation of corrective and preventive action processes, ensuring validation and verification of ideas to promote defect-free operations.

• Coordinate with engineering teams on product and process development, new product introductions, engineering changes, and cost reduction initiatives.

• Develop and implement quality control methodologies and systems to enhance production processes.

• Support lean manufacturing initiatives, 5S implementation, and SAP systems to integrate quality standards into daily operations.

Preferred Experience:

• Experience in a foundry environment.

Required Skills:

• Quality Management: Extensive experience with quality management methods, tools, and techniques to ensure adherence to quality goals.

• Root Cause Analysis (RCA): Proficiency in identifying causes of defects and implementing structured solutions to prevent recurrence.

• Collaboration: Ability to work effectively with teams across various functions in a constructive and results-driven manner.

• Problem Solving: Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities to anticipate, recognize, and resolve operational or process issues.

• Attention to Detail: Ability to execute tasks with a high degree of accuracy and precision.

• Flexibility and Adaptability: Capacity to thrive in a dynamic environment and manage change effectively.

Additional Information:

• This position is based in Mapleton, IL.

• Domestic relocation assistance may be available.

• Visa sponsorship is not available for this role.

Compensation & Benefits:

• Base Salary: $95,640 to $135,000 (USD)

• Employment Type: Full-time

• Benefits: Comprehensive package provided

• Relocation Assistance: Available for the ideal candidate

• Travel: Occasional travel may be required

Screening Questions:

• Are you authorized to work in the United States?

• Will you now or in the future require sponsorship to work in the United States?

This role offers a great opportunity for professionals looking to contribute to a dynamic manufacturing environment while advancing their career in quality engineering.