{"id":485763,"url":"https://alion.io/job/tarkett-sr-category-manager-2","title":"Sr. Category Manager","company":{"id":3672,"name":"Tarkett","domain":"tarkett-group.com","url":"https://alion.io/company/tarkett","size_band":"5000+","is_staffing_agency":false,"employer_type":"direct","is_intermediary":false,"listed_via":null,"ats_vendor":"Workday","truth_index":{"grade":"B","score":80,"open_postings":21,"ghost_share":0,"stale_share":0.81,"repost_share":0,"time_to_fill_p50_days":43,"computed_at":"2026-11-02T06:13:15Z"}},"role":"Operations","role_family":"Operations","seniority":"senior","employment_type":"full_time","work_mode":"remote","remote_scope":"stated_countries","remote_scope_basis":"board_field","remote_working_hours":null,"hiring_geo_confidence":"structured","locations":["Atlanta, United States"],"countries":["US"],"hiring_countries":["US"],"hiring_countries_total":1,"salary":{"min":135000,"max":155000,"currency":"USD","period":"year","gross":null,"usd_annual":155000},"salary_estimate":null,"experience_years_min":6,"visa_sponsorship":false,"relocation_package":false,"has_equity":false,"technologies":[],"status":"live","first_seen_at":"2026-08-13T00:00:00Z","employer_posted_date":"2026-10-20","last_verified_at":"2026-11-02T17:15:14Z","board_verified":true,"closed_at":null,"days_open":81,"trust":{"level":"ok","repost_count":1,"flags":[],"days_open":81},"description":"Senior Category Manager - Direct Materials\nTarkett North America | Corporate Sourcing\nTHIS IS A REMOTE ROLE.\nThe Senior Category Manager - Direct Materials is a key leadership role within Tarkett North America’s Corporate Procurement organization. This position is responsible for developing and executing commercially competitive category management and sourcing strategies across Tarkett’s North American operations, and owns Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) for a portfolio of the company’s most critical direct material categories. Categories managed include PVC resin, Plasticizers, Fillers, Recycled PVC, PVB, Dispersions, and Adhesives, with potential expansion into Additives and other Chemicals based on business need and demonstrated capability.\nThis individual will set the strategic direction for supplier relationships across the managed portfolio, holding suppliers accountable for cost performance, quality, supply assurance, service levels, and ongoing continuous improvement. Working through cross-functional teams (CFT), the Senior Category Manager partners closely with plant leadership, R&D, Quality, Operations, Planning, Finance, and senior executives to enhance value delivery through data-driven strategies, strong governance, disciplined negotiation, and creative problem-solving.\nThe role leads each category through the full TCO sourcing process - from planning and strategy development through sourcing, contracting, supplier qualification, and ongoing performance management - delivering high-impact initiatives that improve operational efficiency, drive structural cost savings, and support Tarkett’s strategic and sustainability objectives.\nKey Responsibilities\nDevelop and execute multi-year category strategies for PVC, plasticizers, fillers, recycled PVC, PVB, dispersions, and adhesives that optimize cost, quality, supply assurance, risk, and sustainability performance.\nLead the full category lifecycle using Strategic Sourcing process - from business case development and market analysis through strategy execution, contracting, and ongoing supplier management.\nDrive Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) by applying market intelligence, cost modeling, should-cost analysis, and competitive benchmarking.\nBuild and maintain feedstock-to-material cost models (e.g., ethylene/EDC/VCM linkages for PVC; oil and oleochemical linkages for plasticizers) to validate supplier pricing and support fact-based negotiation.\nNegotiate complex supply agreements - pricing, commercial terms, volume commitments, capacity guarantees, and continuity provisions - that secure long-term value and mitigate supply risk.\nLead Supplier Relationship Management (SRM) for strategic suppliers, including joint business plans, innovation pipelines, and continuous improvement programs.\nManage the day-to-day relationship and overall performance of managed suppliers, holding them accountable to SLAs, KPIs, and cost targets.\nDevelop and manage category KPIs (cost, quality, service, delivery, safety, productivity) and supplier scorecards to ensure measurable value delivery.\nAnalyze market and cost-driver dynamics - capacity, feedstock, logistics, trade policy, and regulatory shifts - to anticipate changes in raw material economics and develop mitigation strategies.\nReduce single-source exposure through dual sourcing, qualified alternates, and regional supply options; maintain category risk assessments and business continuity plans.\nLead cross-functional stakeholder teams (Operations, R&D, Quality, Finance, Planning, Sustainability) to align sourcing strategies with business goals and secure organizational buy-in.\nPartner with R&D and Quality on material qualification, specification changes, formulation alternatives, and new product introduction (NPI) sourcing support.\nAdvance Tarkett’s circularity and sustainability objectives through recycled PVC and post-industrial/post-consumer content sourcing, supplier carbon and EPD data collection, and lower-impact material alternatives.\nPartner with Supply Chain and Planning on inventory strategy, working capital, minimum order quantities, lead times, and safety stock levels for managed categories.\nMeasure and report category performance, establishing baseline benchmarks and tracking savings, price variance versus index, lead time, service level, and delivery improvements.\nServe as a trusted advisor and communicator to executive stakeholders, translating complex business cases and market dynamics into clear, actionable recommendations.\nMaintain contract, pricing, and supplier data integrity in enterprise systems, and ensure adherence to procurement policy, internal controls, and delegation of authority.\nRequired Qualifications\nBachelor’s degree in Business, Supply Chain, Finance, Engineering, Chemistry, or a related field (MBA preferred).\nMinimum 6-10 years of progressive experience in strategic sourcing, category management, or procurement - or in Production, R&D, or Engineering with significant commercial exposure - preferably including direct materials.\nStrong understanding of TCO principles, strategic sourcing methodology, cost modeling, and contract negotiation.\nDemonstrated ability to lead cross-functional teams and influence without direct authority.\nStrong communicator and collaborator with executive presence; able to build trust with senior stakeholders across the organization.\nExcellent written and verbal communication, negotiation, and presentation skills.\nStrong analytical capability, including Excel-based cost modeling; proficient with ERP and e-sourcing systems (e.g., SAP, Ariba, or equivalent).\nDemonstrated ability to problem-solve and develop creative, practical solutions to complex operational challenges.\nAbility to work effectively in a remote capacity with a high degree of self-direction.\nAbility to travel up to 25% to support supplier and company site operations.\nPreferred Qualifications\nDirect sourcing experience with PVC resin, plasticizers, fillers, PVB, dispersions, adhesives, additives, or specialty chemicals.\nExperience sourcing recycled or post-consumer material streams and supporting circular-economy initiatives.\nExperience in a multi-plant manufacturing environment; flooring, building products, or plastics processing industry knowledge strongly preferred.\nExpertise in category management from strategy development through execution (“cradle-to-grave”).\nExperience with index-based and formula pricing, commodity risk management, and hedging concepts.\nKnowledge of supply markets, cost drivers, and technology trends affecting direct materials.\nStrong business acumen with the ability to develop fact-based business cases and influence senior stakeholders.\nAdvanced project management skills with the ability to manage multiple initiatives concurrently.\nSkilled in the creation, negotiation, and administration of supplier contracts.\nLean, Six Sigma, or continuous improvement training.\nProfessional certification such as CPSM, CPSD, CIPS, or C.P.M.\nPay Range:\n$135,000.00 USD - $155,000.00 USD AnnuallyWhat We Offer\nA commitment that Safety is #1\nCompetitive benefits including:Medical, dental, and vision insurance\n401(k) with company match\nPaid time off and paid holidays\nLife and disability insurance\n\nCareer growth, stability, and flexible work arrangements.\nResponsible Manufacturing - Protecting Our Planet for the Future\nWe utilize renewable energy and a closed loop recycled water process.\nWe are committed to reducing greenhouse emissions and water consumption.\nWe are the only flooring company recognized by the Asthma and Allergy foundation.\nWho we are:\nWith a history of more than 140 years, Tarkett is a worldwide leader in innovative and sustainable flooring and sport surface solutions, generating turnover of €3.3 billion in 2025. The Group hasclose to 12,000 employees, 25 R&D centers, 8 recycling centers and 33 production sites. Tarkett creates and manufactures solutions for hospitals, schools, housing, hotels, offices, stores and sports fields, serving customers in over 100 countries. To build “The Way to Better Floors,” the Group is committed to circular economy and sustainability, in line with its Tarkett Human-Conscious Design® approach.\nwww.tarkett-group.com\nTarkett is an equal opportunity employer. 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