Overview
Global Category Associate Director - Steel & Casting role at Carrier. This position is responsible for developing and executing a global category strategy to optimize cost, availability, agility, and innovation. The role leads a team to deliver cost optimization, supplier performance, and alignment with Carrier’s long-term product and technology roadmap. The leader will drive supplier relationship management, costed BOM development, and cross-functional collaboration with engineering, quality, product management, and operations to ensure sourcing strategies enable business growth, risk mitigation, and sustainability goals.
Responsibilities
* Category Strategy & Execution: Develop and implement a comprehensive category strategy aligned with Carrier’s global supply chain, product, and manufacturing strategies.
* Cost Optimization: Optimize total cost of ownership (TCO) through cost modeling, value engineering, and sourcing innovation.
* Product Lifecycle Alignment: Lead costed BOM development and ensure alignment with product lifecycle and technology roadmaps.
* Supply Continuity & Sourcing: Drive dual sourcing, re-sourcing, and supplier qualification to ensure supply continuity and competitiveness.
* Supplier Relationship & Performance Management: Manage strategic relationships with key suppliers; negotiate long-term agreements focusing on cost, quality, delivery, and ESG compliance; own vendor performance data and report metrics (OTD, quality, cost savings) to leadership.
* Risk Management: Identify and mitigate supply chain risks, including single-sourcing, geopolitical exposure, and capacity constraints.
* Cross-Functional Collaboration: Establish a cross-functional network with engineering, quality, product management, and operations to align sourcing strategies with business objectives; partner with NPI and engineering teams for early supplier involvement in new product development and design-to-cost initiatives; collaborate with sustainability teams for responsible sourcing and ESG compliance.
* Market Intelligence & Innovation: Maintain knowledge of global supply markets, cost drivers, and emerging technologies; monitor market trends, commodity indices, and competitive benchmarks; identify and implement VA/VE opportunities and supplier-driven innovation initiatives.
* Leadership & Team Development: Lead category teams, foster collaboration and accountability, build capability in strategic sourcing, negotiation, and supplier development; champion digital procurement tools and analytics for data-driven decision-making.
Qualifications
* Education: Bachelor’s in Supply Chain, Business, or Engineering; Master’s or MBA preferred.
* Experience: 10+ years in strategic sourcing, procurement, or supply chain with global category management experience; proven track record in cost optimization, supplier negotiations, and risk management; experience in industrial, HVAC, or manufacturing sectors preferred.
* Technical Skills: Proficiency in procurement systems (SAP, Ariba) and analytics tools; strong understanding of cost modeling, commodity markets, and sourcing best practices.
* Soft Skills: Strong commercial acumen and negotiation skills; ability to influence across functions and cultures in a matrixed organization.
* Language & Travel: English required; additional languages (German, French, Spanish) a plus; travel ~15–20% globally.
Core Competencies
* Strategic thinking with execution focus
* Data-driven decision-making and analytical rigor
* Leadership and talent development
* Supplier relationship management and collaboration
* Continuous improvement and innovation mindset
About Carrier
Carrier is a world leader in high-technology heating, air-conditioning and refrigeration solutions with a history of more than 100 years of proven innovation. Our mission is to be the first choice for heating, air-conditioning and refrigeration solutions worldwide. We are committed to social responsibility and environmental stewardship, while delivering solutions that improve lives globally. Carrier is an Equal Opportunity/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 veteran status, age or any other federally protected class.
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