Category Manager

Dorman was founded on the belief that people should have the freedom to fix their vehicles. For over a century, we've provided countless products and services to help people do just that.   As a $1.3B*+ global supplier of aftermarket automotive parts, with 3,300+ Contributors, and 28 Sites across the globe, we remain focused on driving new solutions, to help our partners grow their businesses, and help repair professionals and vehicle owners maintain their vehicles (*approx. earnings as of 12/31/21).  Everyone who works at Dorman is called a Contributor. We need everyone, regardless of role and experience, to contribute to our success. That means everyone has a unique ability to make an impact on the business. We encourage all our Contributors to bring their authentic selves to work. The freedom to pursue new ideas, offer different perspectives, and grow in your career is fundamental to working at Dorman.

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Category Manager is responsible for developing and executing global supply chain strategies for assigned categories that deliver industry-leading innovation, speed-to-market, product quality, delivery performance at the lowest total cost of ownership.

PRINCIPAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Lead the creation and harmonization of Regional, Supplier and Category Strategies that defines the “Future State” supply base that will optimally supports Dorman’s objectives for innovation, speed-to-market, quality and total cost of ownership.
• Actively engage with all stakeholders to gain an in-depth understanding their evolving needs and their participation in the on-going development and refinement of souring strategies.  

• Identify and monitor potential supply risks and proactively develop and implement risk mitigation strategies.

• Monitor product line demand trends and new product develop funnels to determine required long-term supply base capacities and capabilities and take proactive action to ensure capacities and capabilities are readily available as needed.

• Actively manage Regional and Suppler Portfolios that incorporate the latest information on alternative regions and suppliers. 

• Maintain awareness of world markets and emerging material related issues in the industry and position the supply chain to flexibly respond accordingly.

• Establish and facilitate strategic teams to leverage supplier capabilities in product design, cost reduction, lead time reduction and customer satisfaction.

• Lead productivity process from Ideation through savings realization to achieve targeted TCO reductions. 

• Maintain Project Ideation Funnel and Active Project Decks to simultaneously deploy strategies, achieve YoY performance improvements and support NPI/Growth initiatives.

• Lead sourcing projects from ideation to successful volume production ramp up.

• Monitor on-going supplier performance, support Buyer/Planners and SQE’s on resolving chronic supplier performance problems, revise supplier strategies and if necessary, lead projects to exit poor performing suppliers.

• Lead Business Reviews with key suppliers to review quality, delivery and cost performance, progress on strategic initiatives and ensure on-going strategic alignment between Dorman and the Supplier

QUALIFICATIONS/EXPERIENCE:

• Extensive in-country experience sourcing products and components from best cost regions including India, Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia, Eastern Europe, Mexico, Turkey and Brazil.

• Hands on experience supporting new product development projects, qualifying suppliers, qualifying products/components, verifying suppliers manufacturing readiness and ramping up volume production in low cost regions.

• Broad knowledge of the global marketplace and manufacturing technologies for assigned commodities.

• Proven abilities to drive sustainable supplier quality, delivery and cost improvements. 

• Strong interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to perform and produce results in multifunctional global teams in a dynamic work environment and drive/lead cross functional teams without authorization

• Strong analytical and presentation skills, expert user in MS Excel, Power BI/Qlik/Business Objectives and MS Powerpoint

• BS/BA in engineering, business or technical discipline. An MBA is highly desired.

• Minimum of 10 years of experience in a global Supply Chain related role. 

• Experienced using supplier performance management best-practices to drive supplier continues improvement.

• Lean/Six Sigma certification (black belt or green belt) is desired.

• Certification in ISM SPSM is desired.

• Willingness to travel 25% - 50%.

Dorman Products is an equal opportunity employer; we value a combination of ideas, perspectives, and cultures at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.  EEO/AA Employer M/F/D/V.

www.DormanProducts.com