ESS Category Manager

Your Impact

The primary purpose of the Category Manager is to oversee all Category Management, Strategic Sourcing as well as operation Supplier Management performance, relationship and opportunity management activities for the specific subcategories of spend in their purview. This includes responsibility for effectively managing and utilizing the Strategic Sourcing Sr. Specialist, to execute and facilitate the sourcing process with the business unit team. This role oversees 8 procurement and/or business led subcategories that support the operations of over 1,800 stores, 35 Distribution Centers, Corporate Support Centers as well as the Data Centers.

What you will do

Defines category and demand profile for respective subcategories to understand all relevant goods, services and business units.

Assesses the supply market for the subcategory to understand industry trends, market competitiveness, goods, services, alternatives, etc.

Develops subcategory strategy and plans that encompass creative and well thought out insights and solutions based on the demand profile and supply market offerings.

Converts the needs of stores, Distribution Centers, Corporate Support Centers and Data Centers into SOWs and RFPs in order to effectively support operations.

Executes category strategy plans to realize benefits. Refines and refreshes category management strategies and plans based on monitoring progress toward results.

Monitors the ongoing performance of strategic and custom suppliers through proactive solicitation from business stakeholders, addressing and resolving performance issues and disputes. Partners with the business units to perform relationship management activities to drive maximum value for the supplier relationships.

Develops and maintains positive and objective relationships with suppliers to ensure that they are committed to Lowe’s and that contract objectives are achieved in the most efficient and effective manner.

Develops subcategory strategies, goals and objectives and the associated project plans to execute subcategory management activities by identifying issues and opportunities, forming hypotheses, utilizing analysis and synthesizing conclusions.

Manages the project plans and monitors and reports on progress and results.

Leads or facilitates a cross functional team through project activities and supports the team with process and category knowledge.

Manages $250M-$300M to drive cost savings and efficiencies across the category.

Required Qualifications:

Bachelors Degree BA/BS and 5-7 Years Bachelors degree in business, engineering or science plus 7 years of experience

7 years business experience

5 years sourcing experience

Experience directly or indirectly leading teams

Negotiating complex contracts

Experience owning/developing complex project plans including strategy development

Experience managing cross-functional project teams and resources

Expert level PowerPoint and presentation skills

Preferred Qualifications:

Masters Degree MBA, JD, MS, ME

Conflict management, relationship building and coaching developing sourcing talent

About Lowe’s

Lowe’s Companies, Inc. (NYSE: LOW) is a FORTUNE® 50 home improvement company serving approximately 16 million customer transactions a week in the United States. With total fiscal year 2023 sales of more than $86 billion, Lowe’s operates over 1,700 home improvement stores and employs approximately 300,000 associates. Based in Mooresville, N.C., Lowe’s supports the communities it serves through programs focused on creating safe, affordable housing and helping to develop the next generation of skilled trade experts. For more information, visit Lowes.com.

Lowe’s is an equal opportunity employer and administers all personnel practices without regard to race, color, religious creed, sex, gender, age, ancestry, national origin, mental or physical disability or medical condition, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, military or veteran status, genetic information, or any other category protected under federal, state, or local law.

Starting rate of pay may vary based on factors including, but not limited to, position offered, location, education, training, and/or experience. For information regarding our benefit programs and eligibility, please visit https://talent.lowes.com/us/en/benefits.