Category Manager

The work model for the role is

Onsite, Pinetops NC, 3022 NC-43

This role is contributing to the Electrification Distribution Solutions Division in Pinetops, NC.

Your responsibilities

• Ensures all relevant parties understand strategies and execute processes accordingly.
• Manages planning and tracking of procurement activities, cost budgets, emerging country spending, and savings forecast.
• Minimizes risk regarding quality and financial exposure by buying in accordance with quality and commercial procedures and company guidelines.
• Defines and establishes local standard agreements with all major suppliers.
• Designs and implements cost-out programs and/or processes to reach financial targets.
• Accountable for the health and safety of all employees and contractors for the teams in scope, and continuous improvement in Health, Safety, and Environment (HSE) processes and integrity performance.
• Promotes and enables collaboration in the division, across divisions, business areas, and teams to maximize results for ABB.
• Provides and maintains standard terms in purchase contracts/terms and conditions in line with company directives and guidelines.

Your background

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Engineering, Procurement, or a related field (Master's degree preferred).
• Minimum of 5 years' experience in category management, strategic sourcing, procurement, or supply chain roles within a manufacturing environment.
• Strong category strategy development skills, including spend analysis, market assessment, and supplier segmentation.
• Proven supplier management and negotiation expertise, with a track record of cost savings, contract optimization, and risk mitigation.
• Solid understanding of manufacturing processes, materials, and cost drivers (e.g., direct materials, MRO, or CAPEX categories).
• Experience with contract management, including drafting, reviewing, and enforcing commercial terms and service-level agreements.
• Data-driven decision-making skills, with proficiency in spend analytics, KPIs, and procurement systems (e.g., ERP, SAP, Oracle, Coupa, Ariba).
• Strong cross-functional collaboration abilities, working effectively with operations, engineering, quality, finance, and suppliers.
• Knowledge of local and regional supplier markets, regulations, and compliance requirements relevant to the manufacturing sector.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, able to influence internal teams and drive category initiatives at the local level.
• Candidates must already have a work authorization that would permit them to work for ABB in the US.

What's in it for you

• We want you to bring your full self to work-your ideas, your energy, your ambition.
• You'll have the tools and freedom to grow your skills, shape your path, and take on challenges that matter.
• Here, your work creates impact you can see and feel, every day.

Abb Benefit Summary for eligible US employees

Go to MyBenefitsABB.com and click on "Candidate/Guest" to

Health, Life & Disability

• Choice between two medical plan options: A PPO plan called the Copay Plan OR a High Deductible Health Plan (with a Health Savings Account) called the High Deductible Plan.
• Choice between two dental plan options: Core and Core Plus
• Vision benefit
• Company paid life insurance (2X base pay)
• Company paid AD&D (1X base pay)
• Voluntary life and AD&D - 100% employee paid up to maximums
• Short Term Disability - up to 26 weeks - Company paid
• Long Term Disability - 60% of pay - Company paid. Ability to "buy-up" to 66 2/3% of pay.
• Supplemental benefits - 100% employee paid (Accident insurance, hospital indemnity, critical illness, pet insurance
• Parental Leave - up to 6 weeks
• Employee Assistance Program
• Health Advocate support resources for mental/behavioral health, general health navigation and virtual health, and infertility/adoption
• Employee discount program

Retirement

• 401k Savings Plan with Company Contributions
• Employee Stock Acquisition Plan (ESAP)

Time off

• ABB provides 11 paid holidays. Salaried exempt positions are provided vacation under a permissive time away policy.

• Building a cleaner, smarter future takes all kinds of minds: the curious, the courageous, and the creative. That's why we welcome people from all backgrounds and experiences.
• Ready to make an impact?