About this role
Embark on a career journey with Franklin Electric, where your passion meets purpose, and every day is an opportunity to make a difference in our global communities in providing access to water, fuel and electricity. The Global Category Manager is responsible for driving and implementing category strategies across the organization by leading the sourcing team with the goal of accomplishing organizational objectives. Develops and maintains a qualified supply base, while understanding technology trends and market influences. Maintains overall business ownership of the category to include managing, facilitating, and monitoring communications with suppliers and employees. Franklin Electric is a diverse team of innovators making a positive global impact since 1944. We offer innovative water solutions, ensuring access, treatment, and efficient management of this vital resource. Our commitment to excellence is reflected in our innovative products, industry leading quality products, exceptional customer service, employee development, and passion for social responsibility. Join us to create a better future while growing professionally in a supportive environment! Serves as a resident expert on factors relevant to the category, including product knowledge, applications/usage, processing knowledge, cost structure, global market, supplier capabilities, supplier market share, supplier benchmarking, etc. Utilizes contract negotiation, process changes, and implementation of sustainable cost controls, including collaboration with finance, to validate the impact of proposed projects and drive stakeholder approval. Drafts, negotiates, and executes supplier contracts. Uses strategic sourcing tools to proactively conduct spend analysis, maintains cost models and metrics by supplier and category, and communicates overall supplier performance, trends in technologies, and market conditions with respect to assigned categories. Manages, develops, and maintains responsibility for the business relationships with suppliers. Manages, develops, and implements strategies and goals for assigned categories that support department objectives for quality, cost, and supplier development. Routinely presents proposals, recommendations, and results of category metrics to senior leadership. Develops strategic supplier partner relationships. Familiar with 7steps or other strategic sourcing methodologies.