Kenco
Strategic Sourcing Category Manager
At Kenco Logistics, you're more than just a team member—you’re part of a company that values innovation, integrity, and a strong commitment to its people. As one of the leading 3PL providers in the U.S., Kenco offers a dynamic and supportive work environment where your ideas matter and your growth is a priority. With a focus on safety, sustainability, and continuous improvement, Kenco empowers employees to make a real impact in the supply chain industry while building rewarding careers. Join a company where your contributions help move the world forward—one shipment at a time.
About the Position The Strategic Sourcing Category Manager is responsible for developing and executing sourcing strategies for assigned categories to deliver cost savings, mitigate risk, and ensure supplier performance. This role partners with internal stakeholders to understand business needs, identify opportunities, and drive value through strategic supplier relationships and contract negotiations. This role ensures cost optimization, service level reliability, and operational resiliency within a fast‑paced logistics environment.
Functions
Develop and own comprehensive category strategies aligned with business goals.
Conduct spend analysis, market research, supplier segmentation, and risk assessments.
Identify opportunities for cost reduction, value improvement, and process optimization.
Build multi‑year category roadmaps and present recommendations to leadership.
Lead end‑to‑end sourcing activities such as RFPs, RFIs, RFQs.
Develop negotiation strategies and drive competitive advantages through supplier relationships.
Evaluate supplier proposals using total‑cost‑of‑ownership (TCO) and other methodologies.
Execute contract development, review, and implementation in collaboration with internal partners as required.
Build and maintain strong, mutually beneficial strategic relationships with key suppliers.
Monitor supplier performance using KPIs, scorecards, and scheduled business reviews.
Identify supplier innovation opportunities and support continuous improvement initiatives.
Manage supplier risk, including financial, operational, and compliance‑related risks.
Ensure adherence to the Supplier Code of Conduct, procurement policies, ethical sourcing practices, and regulatory requirements.
Improve sourcing processes through automation, best‑practice adoption, and data analytics.
Maintain accurate documentation and contribute to procurement governance.
Other applicable duties as assigned.
Qualifications
Bachelor's Degree in Accounting, Business, Finance, Supply Chain, Industrial Management or other related field required. MBA or other advanced degree strongly preferred.
6–8 years procurement‑related experience required; previous experience specifically within Supply Chain, Distribution, Logistics, and/or Transportation industries preferred.
Current or recent prior experience with Steel Pallet Rack materials and Motive Battery sourcing strongly preferred.
Certified Professional in Supply Management (CPSM) or ability to attain within 12 months preferred.
Experience with top‑tier procurement software required; Workday Procurement experience preferred.
Working knowledge of Strategic Sourcing, Procurement, Accounting, and Finance required.
Strong negotiation, contracting, presentation, and analytical skills.
Ability to manage complex projects and multiple stakeholders.
Working knowledge of MS Office Suite; Advanced Level Excel skills preferred.
Competencies
Business Acumen – Knowledgeable in current and possible future policies, practices, trends, technology, and information affecting his/her business and organization.
Communicate for Impact (Individual Contributor) – Proactively communicate with all stakeholders throughout the life cycle of programs and projects.
Influencing Others – Can quickly find common ground and can solve problems for the good of the organization with a minimal amount of noise. Authentically gains trust and support of peers.
Managing Transitions / Change Management – Effectively plans, manages and communicates changes in processes with appropriate stakeholders.
Strategic Agility (Individual Contributor) – Enable Kenco to remain competitive by adjusting and adapting to innovative ideas necessary to support Kenco's long‑term organizational strategy.
Travel Requirements
This position is expected to travel approximately 25% or less.
You will be required to have a valid passport to travel to Canada or Mexico.
Benefits offered
Medical insurance including HSA, HRA and FSA accounts.
Supplemental insurance including critical illness, hospital indemnity, accidental injury.
Dental Insurance.
Vision Insurance.
Basic Life and Supplemental Life.
Short Term and Long Term Disability.
Paid Parental Leave.
401(k).
Paid Time Off approximately 2 weeks (accrual begins on Day 1 of employment).
Employer Paid Holidays – 10 days.
Kenco strives to provide a supportive, professional environment for all employees. As part of Kenco, we expect our team to uphold our three key pillars: be honest, serve, and get better. Each should strive for operational excellence, pursue innovation, and want to grow with our company. Kenco Group is an Equal‑Opportunity Employer. All employees and applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status or disability, or any other characteristic protected by law.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
About the Position The Strategic Sourcing Category Manager is responsible for developing and executing sourcing strategies for assigned categories to deliver cost savings, mitigate risk, and ensure supplier performance. This role partners with internal stakeholders to understand business needs, identify opportunities, and drive value through strategic supplier relationships and contract negotiations. This role ensures cost optimization, service level reliability, and operational resiliency within a fast‑paced logistics environment.
Functions
Develop and own comprehensive category strategies aligned with business goals.
Conduct spend analysis, market research, supplier segmentation, and risk assessments.
Identify opportunities for cost reduction, value improvement, and process optimization.
Build multi‑year category roadmaps and present recommendations to leadership.
Lead end‑to‑end sourcing activities such as RFPs, RFIs, RFQs.
Develop negotiation strategies and drive competitive advantages through supplier relationships.
Evaluate supplier proposals using total‑cost‑of‑ownership (TCO) and other methodologies.
Execute contract development, review, and implementation in collaboration with internal partners as required.
Build and maintain strong, mutually beneficial strategic relationships with key suppliers.
Monitor supplier performance using KPIs, scorecards, and scheduled business reviews.
Identify supplier innovation opportunities and support continuous improvement initiatives.
Manage supplier risk, including financial, operational, and compliance‑related risks.
Ensure adherence to the Supplier Code of Conduct, procurement policies, ethical sourcing practices, and regulatory requirements.
Improve sourcing processes through automation, best‑practice adoption, and data analytics.
Maintain accurate documentation and contribute to procurement governance.
Other applicable duties as assigned.
Qualifications
Bachelor's Degree in Accounting, Business, Finance, Supply Chain, Industrial Management or other related field required. MBA or other advanced degree strongly preferred.
6–8 years procurement‑related experience required; previous experience specifically within Supply Chain, Distribution, Logistics, and/or Transportation industries preferred.
Current or recent prior experience with Steel Pallet Rack materials and Motive Battery sourcing strongly preferred.
Certified Professional in Supply Management (CPSM) or ability to attain within 12 months preferred.
Experience with top‑tier procurement software required; Workday Procurement experience preferred.
Working knowledge of Strategic Sourcing, Procurement, Accounting, and Finance required.
Strong negotiation, contracting, presentation, and analytical skills.
Ability to manage complex projects and multiple stakeholders.
Working knowledge of MS Office Suite; Advanced Level Excel skills preferred.
Competencies
Business Acumen – Knowledgeable in current and possible future policies, practices, trends, technology, and information affecting his/her business and organization.
Communicate for Impact (Individual Contributor) – Proactively communicate with all stakeholders throughout the life cycle of programs and projects.
Influencing Others – Can quickly find common ground and can solve problems for the good of the organization with a minimal amount of noise. Authentically gains trust and support of peers.
Managing Transitions / Change Management – Effectively plans, manages and communicates changes in processes with appropriate stakeholders.
Strategic Agility (Individual Contributor) – Enable Kenco to remain competitive by adjusting and adapting to innovative ideas necessary to support Kenco's long‑term organizational strategy.
Travel Requirements
This position is expected to travel approximately 25% or less.
You will be required to have a valid passport to travel to Canada or Mexico.
Benefits offered
Medical insurance including HSA, HRA and FSA accounts.
Supplemental insurance including critical illness, hospital indemnity, accidental injury.
Dental Insurance.
Vision Insurance.
Basic Life and Supplemental Life.
Short Term and Long Term Disability.
Paid Parental Leave.
401(k).
Paid Time Off approximately 2 weeks (accrual begins on Day 1 of employment).
Employer Paid Holidays – 10 days.
Kenco strives to provide a supportive, professional environment for all employees. As part of Kenco, we expect our team to uphold our three key pillars: be honest, serve, and get better. Each should strive for operational excellence, pursue innovation, and want to grow with our company. Kenco Group is an Equal‑Opportunity Employer. All employees and applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status or disability, or any other characteristic protected by law.
#J-18808-Ljbffr