Procurement Category Manager - MRO

Make a Difference in YOUR Career!  Our vision is both simple and ambitious: to put our drinks on every table.  We are the leading global independent beverage solutions provider. We serve a broad range of national and international retailers as well as Global, National and Emerging (GNE) brands. Our products are distributed worldwide from our production sites in Europe, North America, and Australia.  Although our own branding may not appear on the labels of the beverages we produce, there is a good chance you are reading this while sipping one of our drinks.  Our ambition is to continually improve and it’s what keeps us at the top of our game.  We are solutions-based.  We are innovative.  We seek out new challenges and conquer them.  This is our company ethos, but it’s our people’s too: Refresco is at the cutting edge of a fast-moving industry because we have passionate people pushing the boundaries of what’s best.  Stop and think: how would YOU put our drinks on every table?  Summary Description: The Category Manager MRO & Indirect Procurement is responsible for developing and executing sourcing strategies for Maintenance, Repair & Operations (MRO), industrial services, utilities, facilities, and selected indirect spend categories across Refresco’s North American manufacturing network.

This role partners closely with Operations, Engineering, Maintenance to improve plant performance, reduce downtime, optimize inventory, and deliver sustainable cost savings. The successful candidate will lead supplier negotiations, strategic sourcing initiatives, national agreements, and category management programs that directly support manufacturing operations. Essential Functions MRO Category Management Develop sourcing strategies for MRO categories including industrial supplies, bearings, motors, power transmission, electrical components, automation, pneumatics, hydraulics, conveyors components, OEM spare parts, and maintenance services Lead supplier consolidation and national account programs Partner with Maintenance and continuous improvement teams to optimize storeroom inventory and spare parts management Support plant reliability initiatives by improving supplier performance and reducing lead times.

Develop and implement Vendor Managed inventory (VMI) and inventory optimization programs Identify opportunities to reduce emergency purchases and improve planned maintenance sourcing Categories Managed Industrial Supplies Bearings & Power Transmission Motors & Drives Electrical Components Automation & Controls Conveyors Components Maintenance services Supplier Management Identify, evaluate, and onboard suppliers to ensure a competitive supplier landscape.

Lead contract negotiations, RFx processes, and supplier evaluations. Manage ongoing supplier relationships to ensure compliance, performance, and continuous improvement. Develop and monitor supplier KPIs and scorecards. Cross-Functional Collaboration Partner with internal stakeholders (HR, Operations, Engineers, Legal, etc.) to understand business needs and define sourcing requirements. Serve as the primary Procurement advisor to internal teams on market insights, contract risk, and sourcing best practices.

Cost Optimization & Process Improvement Deliver year-over-year cost savings through strategic sourcing and total cost of ownership (TCO) methodologies. Identify opportunities to streamline procurement processes, automate workflows, and increase efficiency. Ensure compliance with procurement policies, approval workflows, and governance procedures. Risk & Compliance Evaluate and mitigate supplier risks, including financial, operational, compliance, and ESG considerations.

Maintain accurate documentation, contracts, and procurement records. Support audits, contract renewals, and supplier compliance initiatives. Required Skills: Bachelor’s degree in Business, Supply Chain, Financ