Grainger is a global leading broad line supplier of facilities maintenance products serving businesses and institutions. Our 18,000 employees are driven to serve customers and the community in exceptional ways focusing on delivering the highest level of service. The Grainger team works closely with customers to better understand their challenges and provide cost-saving solutions. Grainger's employees serve customers more than 115,000 times every day through multiple channels. As part of a high-performing team, you’ll be able to develop your talents, and make a difference. Grainger is a Fortune 500company and a perennial member of Fortune magazine's Most Admired Companies list.

Primary Function:

The Global Category Analyst is responsible for:

• Leading standard procurement sourcing activities related to category spend across marketing and ecommerce
• Aligning with defined sourcing strategies for managed categories, consistent with overall objectives
• Leading the sourcing strategy to deliver optimal service levels and results through planning, business need, industry assessment, strategy definition, execution, supplier selection, transactional planning and contracting

Principal Duties and Responsibilities:

• Lead standard global procurement sourcing activities related to category spend in marketing and ecommerce.

• Align with defined global sourcing strategies for managed categories, consistent with overall objectives.

• Manage the global sourcing process with suppliers including e-Sourcing events (i.e.  RFI,RFP,RFQ), negotiations, and contract execution with selected suppliers

• Drive the global sourcing strategy to deliver optimal service levels and results through planning, business need, industry assessment, strategy definition, execution, supplier selection, transactional planning and contracting

• Meet with leadership and business partners to align with short-term and long-term global category objectives and pipeline opportunities

• Be familiar with the supplier market and industry trends in marketing and ecommerce

• Influence innovation and continuous improvement

• Leverage market intelligence to validate and benchmark costs and competitive pricing

• Prioritize and conduct spend and savings analysis

• Manage projects and initiatives within assigned categories and suppliers with the ability to meet defined timelines and provide proactive status communication to business partners

• Oversee supplier relationships and execute supplier performance management techniques, in collaboration with business partners

• Monitor supplier performance in accordance with contract obligations, SLAs, KPIs, and metrics to maximize compliance and mitigate issues

Preferred Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience required, preferably in marketing, business or supply chain; Master’s degree is preferred
• 5 to 7 years experience
• Strong understanding of marketing and ecommerce industry is required; Experience in digital marketing or print industry is preferred
• Procurement background and expertise of indirect services is helpful, specifically with marketing and ecommerce
• Primary contributions are via technical expertise, leadership is regularly applied to develop entry and emerging professionals. May be more technically expert than manager reporting to.
• Understanding of Strategic Sourcing processes
• Experience in category management and global strategic sourcing including contract terms and conditions (T&Cs) and negotiation skills is preferred
• Previous management experience leading projects is desired
• Intermediate level project management and analytical skills required
• Ability to effectively work across a matrix global organization
• Strong interpersonal and influencing skills
• Demonstrated structured negotiation skills and best-in-class practices for assigned global categories and suppliers
• Basic ability to assess and manage contractual, operational, financial and business risk
• Professional qualification/certification from related professional organizations (CPM, CPSM, APICS) would be advantageous
• Identifies key barriers/core problems and applies problem solving skills in order to deal creatively with complex situations. Trouble shoots and resolves complex problems
• Independently performs assignments with instruction limited to results expected. Determines and develops approach to solutions. Receives technical guidance only on unusual or complex problems or issues.
• Decisions or recommendations are typically executed within an assigned category, and may affect global business partners or operations outside department
• Impacts the achievement of mid and short-term department goals through decisions and others.
• May provide input on department goals and objectives
• Lead strategic sourcing initiatives for assigned categories and suppliers

Grainger is an Equal Opportunity Workplace and an Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status.