Category Leader, MRO

Work Mode: Onsite

Location: Onsite, four days per week – Kohler, WI

Opportunity

Responsible for financial and operational performance within the MRO spend category. Position involves purchasing and negotiating materials, equipment, and/or services across multiple Kohler Co. business units. Accountable for all supplier selection decisions within category. Prepares and evaluates supplier quotations and services to determine most competitive solution based upon a total cost of ownership.

Familiar with a variety of purchasing concepts, practices, and procedures. Relies on experience and judgment to plan and accomplish goals. Performs a variety of complicated procurement tasks. Conducts multi-functional supplier performance management reviews. Responsible for setting performance objectives and strategy within category. A wide degree of creativity and latitude is expected.

Specific Responsibilities

• Manage the design and implementation of category strategies to attain year over year material cost reductions, material quality/delivery improvements and inventory reduction targets through the use of appropriate supply chain tools.
• Lead the strategic sourcing process of team formation, research, evaluation, and structure. To include RFQ development, quotation reviews (traditional and on-line reverse auctions), supplier/contract negotiations and supplier development. Lead sourcing meetings with Engineering, Quality, Manufacturing etc. to reach consensus on sourcing strategy.
• Own the supplier relationship for the key suppliers in designated spend category while leading negotiations with suppliers to deliver stated objectives.
• Maintain a working knowledge of world-class supply chain processes to ensure that existing processes are targeted to attain excellence versus industry benchmarks.
• Lead and deliver Category Management strategies along with other key initiatives for the MRO Category.
• Work closely with strategic and preferred suppliers to identify and resource productivity/cost down initiatives through the use of VA/VE tools.
• Work with Quality and Engineering teams to develop new suppliers as required. Drive leading edge procurement by working closely with the supply base and the material planning group to actively integrate the suppliers into Kohler plants through the appropriate use of Kanbans, VMI or related tools.
• Assist in mentoring and training buyers in best practices.

Required Competencies

• Strategic & Financial Management
  • Demonstrated ability to manage $70–$80M+ in annual strategic spend across multi-North America plant operations.
  • Proven track record delivering 2%+ annualized savings, year over year, against total category spend.
  • Skilled in TCO-based sourcing, cost modeling, and multi-year category road mapping.
  • Ability to build and execute 12-month category strategies tied to corporate financial objectives.
• Contracting & Commercial Acumen
  • Strong expertise in contract drafting, negotiation, and lifecycle management (MSAs, SLAs, pricing agreements, stock programs).
  • Deep understanding of risk mitigation, commercial terms, payment terms and supplier compliance.
  • Ability to lead negotiations around safety stock, consignment, rebates, and performance guarantees.
• Supplier Engagement & Performance Management
  • Experience leading U.S. and Mexico supplier relationships, ensuring alignment across multi-regional plants. At least three years of experience managing relationships with U.S. based MRO suppliers is required.
  • Skilled in driving supplier scorecards, QBRs, and KPI discipline (lead times, stockouts, pricing adherence).
  • Ability to develop, transition, and stabilize preferred supplier programs across 10+ locations.
  • Expertise in managing supplier escalations, corrective actions, and recovery plans.
• Operational Partnership
  • Strong partnership mindset with Plant Operations, Maintenance, Finance, and Engineering.
  • Proven success reducing controllable stockouts and improving SAP usage and data reliability.
  • Capable of influencing plant teams and driving change adoption in fast-paced environments.
• Leadership, Ownership & Communication
  • Demonstrates high ownership of objectives and accountability to corporate KPIs.
  • Effective communicator with the ability to present to Director / VP / COO-level leadership.
  • Skilled in working with local buyers into a cohesive centralized sourcing model.
    
• Technical & Systems Knowledge
  
  • Excel / SAP (PM) knowledge including item numbers, PIRs, pricing conditions, reorder points, and usage forecasting.
  • Comfortable with analytics: Power BI dashboards, savings trackers, spend segmentation, supplier risk scoring.
  • Familiarity with MRO taxonomies, category structures, and global classification standards.

Skills/Requirements

• Minimum of a Bachelor’s degree in Business, Finance, Engineering, Materials Management or related field is required.
• A Master’s Degree in Business or a Technical field is preferred.
• Minimum of 7 years professional work experience with at least 5 years purchasing experience in global manufacturing companies with increasing responsibilities in a multi-site, multi-product, company is required in the MRO Category.
• International experience and previous global travel preferred.

Travel

• Approximately 20%

#LI - SW1

#LI - Onsite

Applicants must be authorized to work in the US without requiring sponsorship now or in the future.

We believe in supporting you from the moment you join us, which is why Kohler offers day 1 benefits. This means you’ll have access to your applicable benefit programs from your first day on the job, with no waiting period. The salary range for this position is $105,000 - $162,500. The specific salary offered to a candidate may be influenced by a variety of factors including the candidate’s experience, their education, and the work location. In addition, this position is eligible for a performance bonus/variable incentive compensation.

Why Choose Kohler?
We empower each associate to #BecomeMoreAtKohler with a competitive total rewards package to support your health and wellbeing, access to career growth and development opportunities, a diverse and inclusive workplace, and a strong culture of innovation. With more than 30,000 bold leaders across the globe, we’re driving meaningful change in our mission to help people live gracious, healthy, and sustainable lives.

About Us
It is Kohler’s policy to recruit, hire, and promote qualified applicants without regard to race, creed, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, national origin, disability or status as a protected veteran. If, as an individual with a disability, you need reasonable accommodation during the recruitment process, please contact kohlerjobs@kohler.com. Kohler Co. is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.