Senior Category Manager

Overview: Salary Range $176,000.00 - $195,000.00 Salary/year Position Type Full Time Job Shift Day Education Level 4 Year Degree Travel Percentage None Category Supply Chain DescriptionSenior Category Manager About Mesa Power Solutions Mesa Power Solutions is a fast-growing U.S. manufacturer delivering reliable, responsible power systems to industrial markets nationwide. We engineer and build advanced, sound-attenuated, temperature-controlled generator sets designed to perform in the toughest environments. Backed by industry-leading service and real-time telemetry technology, we give our customers the confidence and visibility they need to keep critical operations running. At Mesa, people come first. We are committed to building a workplace where employees feel safe, respected, and valued and where performance, accountability, and professional growth are recognized and rewarded. Our A.D.A.P.T. values drive everything we do. We are: Action-Oriented. Disciplined. Accountable. Passionate. Trustworthy.

Job Summary: The Senior Category Manager provides strategic leadership and direction for category management and strategic sourcing across Mesa Power Solutions' multi-site manufacturing operations. This role owns the development and execution of comprehensive category strategies spanning mechanical, electrical, fuel-system, engine, and ancillary components used in gas engine power generation equipment - with an expanded scope that includes capital equipment, engineered systems, and strategic supplier partnerships critical to Mesa's growth trajectory. Building on the Category Manager role, the Senior Category Manager leads enterprise-wide sourcing transformations, mentors other category managers, and serves as a key procurement liaison to executive leadership and cross-functional stakeholders. This position drives total cost of ownership optimization, supply chain resilience, supplier innovation, and strategic risk management aligned to corporate growth objectives and new product introduction (NPI) roadmaps.

Essential Duties: Develop and execute multi-year category strategies across mechanical, electrical, engine, fuel system, rotating equipment, and related components, with a total cost of ownership focus. Lead enterprise-wide strategic sourcing initiatives, including spend analysis, category assessments, sourcing roadmaps, and supplier selection. Own the full category management lifecycle, including market intelligence, demand planning, RFx processes, negotiations, contracting, and implementation. Establish category governance frameworks, performance metrics, and executive reporting to drive accountability and results. Manage executive-level supplier relationships, including business reviews, scorecards, strategic development plans, and performance improvement initiatives. Drive supplier consolidation, capability development, technology advancement, and capacity expansion while ensuring supply continuity and quality. Lead complex commercial negotiations and manage master supply agreements, long-term contracts, pricing structures, SLAs, KPIs, risk allocation, and compliance requirements. Conduct should-cost analyses, total cost modeling, and value-based negotiations to achieve savings and improve commercial outcomes. Develop and execute supplier risk management and supply chain resilience strategies, including dual sourcing, contingency planning, and disruption recovery efforts. Monitor market, commodity, regulatory, and geopolitical trends impacting supply continuity and provide risk mitigation recommendations to leadership. Partner with engineering, operations, quality, logistics, finance, and legal teams to support new product introduction, capital projects, component standardization, and value engineering initiatives. Lead cost reduction, lead time improvement, and operational efficiency programs that deliver measurable business value. Mentor category managers and procurement team members, establish sourcing best practices, drive tool and process adoption, manage savings to targets, and ensure compliance with procurement policies and regulatory requirements. All other duties assigned.

Qualifications: Education Required 4 Year / Bachelors Degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, Engineering, or a related field from an accredited university.

Preferred: Graduate Degree or relevant advanced degree (e.g., MS in Supply Chain Management, Engineering Management).

Experience Required: 8 years of procurement/category management experience in industrial manufacturing, heavy equipment, or power generation 8 years of demonstrated experience leading complex, cross-functional sourcing projects with measurable cost savings and supplier performance improvements.8 years of experience negotiating master supply agreements and long-term contracts with strategic suppliers. Preferred 10 years of procurement/category management experience in industrial manufacturing, heavy equipment, or power generation.5 years of experience with gas engines, rotating equipment, or reciprocating engine systems.5 years of prior experience mentoring or leading a team of category managers or sourcing professionals.8 years of experience supporting multi-site manufacturing operations across multiple U.S. locations. Honorably discharged service veterans are preferred.

Certifications, Licenses & Registrations Required: Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license and a driving record satisfactory to the company and its insurers. Preferred Certified Professional in Supply Management (CPSM) - ISMCertified Supply Chain Professional (CSCP) - APICS / ASCMProject Management Professional (PMP) Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities Deep expertise in strategic sourcing methodologies, category strategy development, and total-cost-of-ownership analysis Advanced negotiation skills with proven results in high-value, multi-year supplier agreements Strong financial and analytical acumen - should-cost modeling, spend analytics, commodity market analysis, and ROI justification Comprehensive understanding of supplier relationship management frameworks, supplier scorecards, and performance management In-depth knowledge of supply chain risk management, dual-sourcing strategies, and business continuity planning Proficiency with ERP/MRP systems (e.g., SAP, Oracle, IFS) and procurement analytics tools Familiarity with regulatory compliance in manufacturing environments Excellent executive-level communication and presentation skills Ability to influence cross-functional stakeholders and drive decisions in a matrixed organization Strong leadership and mentorship capabilities Must be able to fluently speak, write, and read in English.

Culture Expectations: Action-oriented: Self-motivated, problem solver, takes initiative when issues arise, acting quickly and responding accordingly. Disciplined: Focused, consistently following through with dedication to achieve high standards even when no one is watching. Accountable: Takes ownership and accountability for your actions, good and bad. Passionate: Passionate about what they do and who they work for, by bringing enthusiasm and commitment to every task and team. Trustworthy: Reliable and honest, building confidence through integrity and consistent performance.

Physical Demands: ConstantSittingSeeing (Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus) Hearing