New

Assistant Category Manager

DRiV Incorporated
United States, Michigan, Southfield
27777 Franklin Road (Show on map)
Oct 30, 2026
JOB DESCRIPTION ASSOCIATE CATEGORY MANAGER / BUYER JOB SUMMARY The Associate Category Manager / Buyer supports Performance Solutions Global Purchasing by assisting with indirect sourcing, category management, supplier management, and commercial analysis across assigned spend areas. The role works with Category Managers, internal stakeholders, and suppliers to analyze spend, support competitive sourcing events, maintain procurement data, and identify opportunities to improve cost, service, quality, working capital, risk, and supply continuity. This position is designed as an entry-level development role with increasing ownership of lower-complexity sourcing projects and category workstreams. JOB RESPONSIBILITIES Category Strategy and Sourcing Execution Support the development and execution of category plans aligned with business and Global Purchasing priorities. Assist with RFQ, RFP, and competitive bidding activities, including requirements gathering, supplier identification, quote collection, bid analysis, recommendation preparation, and implementation support. Conduct spend, demand, supplier, market, cost-driver, and total-cost-of-ownership analysis to identify sourcing opportunities and risks. Prepare sourcing documentation, supplier comparisons, presentations, and business cases for review and approval. Maintain category plans, sourcing pipelines, project timelines, and supporting documentation in accordance with purchasing controls. Supplier and Commercial Management Support supplier negotiations covering pricing, service, payment terms, performance expectations, and other commercial conditions. Coordinate with Legal, Finance, Risk, Operations, Engineering, and other partners on supplier onboarding, contracts, approvals, renewals, and implementation. Monitor supplier performance across cost, quality, delivery, service, responsiveness, compliance, and innovation. Support supplier reviews, corrective actions, issue resolution, and supply-continuity or risk-mitigation activities. Maintain accurate supplier, pricing, contract, savings, and project information in applicable systems. Stakeholder Partnership and Value Delivery Partner with internal stakeholders to understand business needs, confirm specifications, gather requirements, and align sourcing timelines. Collaborate with regional and global purchasing colleagues to leverage common suppliers, methods, data, and category strategies. Track and communicate project status, savings, cost avoidance, working-capital impact, contract coverage, supplier performance, and key risks. Identify process, specification, demand-management, supplier-consolidation, and workflow improvements that strengthen business value. Escalate major commitments, policy exceptions, high-risk matters, or decisions outside delegated authority. JOB REQUIREMENTS Required Qualifications Bachelor's degree in supply chain management, purchasing, business administration, finance, operations, engineering, economics, or a related field, or equivalent relevant experience, subject to HR validation. Zero to two years of experience in procurement, purchasing, supply chain, sourcing, finance, operations, or a related field. Relevant internship, co-op, or university project experience may be considered. Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to organize data and develop clear recommendations. Effective written and verbal communication skills and the ability to work collaboratively with stakeholders and suppliers. Strong organization, attention to detail, and ability to manage multiple assignments and priorities. Proficiency with Microsoft Excel, Word, and PowerPoint. Interest in developing strategic sourcing, negotiation, supplier-management, and category-management capabilities. Preferred Qualifications Internship, co-op, or early-career experience in procurement, supply chain, manufacturing, automotive, finance, or a related environment. Exposure to SAP or another enterprise resource planning system. Familiarity with eSourcing, procurement, spend-analytics, or supplier-management tools. Experience analyzing data in Microsoft Excel or Power BI. Basic knowledge of purchasing, strategic sourcing, total cost of ownership, or supplier performance principles. Professional certification in progress, such as CPSM or CSCP, where appropriate. KEY COMPETENCIES Analytical Thinking Learning Agility Business Acumen Communication and Collaboration Commercial Awareness Problem Solving Organization and Planning Accountability Continuous Improvement SCOPE AND DECISION AUTHORITY Executes assigned purchasing, sourcing, analysis, and supplier-management activities within established policies, procedures, and delegated authority. May independently manage lower-complexity sourcing projects or defined workstreams with guidance from a Category Manager or Procurement Leader. Provides analysis and recommendations for supplier selection, sourcing awards, negotiation positions, and implementation actions. Receives guidance on high-value, high-risk, contractual, or precedent-setting decisions. OTHER DUTIES Additional duties, responsibilities, and activities may be required based on business needs. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals to perform the essential functions of the role.