Category Manager - Equipment, Facilities & Technical Procurement - Little Rock, AR

Category Manager - Equipment, Facilities & Technical Procurement

Overview

Dynamic, self-motivated, and results-oriented leader responsible for managing sourcing, procurement, and technical support of equipment, packaging, and facility systems across all manufacturing locations. Acts as a technical liaison between plant operations and the supply base, driving cost, quality, and reliability improvements while ensuring compliance with regulatory and food safety standards. Combines strategic category management with hands-on technical support, project leadership, and continuous improvement initiatives.

Expectations:

• Develop and execute multi-year category management plans for equipment, packaging, and facilities, optimizing spend and performance.

• Source, assess, and manage relationships with equipment, packaging, and facility suppliers, including MRO vendors.

• Negotiate pricing, contracts, lead times, and service terms to ensure supplier reliability and best value.

• Implement and periodically review systems to evaluate supplier quality, price, delivery, service, and technical capability.

• Maintain approved supplier lists and ensure compliance with food safety and regulatory standards (FDA, FSMA, GFSI).

• Collaborate with Operations, Maintenance, Engineering, and Facilities teams to ensure all purchased materials and equipment meet production and performance needs.

• Troubleshoot packaging, equipment, and component issues affecting line efficiency, waste, or downtime.

• Support plant trials, validation runs, and new product start-ups from a materials and packaging standpoint.

• Lead root cause analysis for supplier-related nonconformances and drive corrective actions.

• Partner with R&D, Engineering, and Operations to source and qualify packaging and equipment for new product launches.

• Coordinate pilot and first production runs to confirm performance and manufacturability.

• Ensure timely material readiness and vendor alignment to meet project milestones.

• Execute RFI/RFPs, proposals, and vendor agreements for legal correctness and technical specifications.

• Liaise between Procurement, Facilities, and Manufacturing to ensure effective communication and project execution.

Technical Support Responsibilities

• Provide first-line technical support for equipment and facility systems, including troubleshooting, maintenance coordination, and escalation of complex issues.

• Train team members and stakeholders on equipment operation, facility systems, and new technology implementations.

• Support installation, commissioning, and onboarding of new equipment, facility upgrades, and digital tools.

• Maintain technical documentation, drawings, BOMs, and support guides for purchased components and systems.

• Monitor equipment performance, facility systems, and ensure compliance with safety and operational standards.

• Analyze technical incidents and recommend process improvements to reduce recurring issues and optimize uptime.

Attributes

• Superior interpersonal, coaching, and communication skills across all levels of the organization.

• Technical aptitude and proactive problem-solving approach.

• Ability to identify opportunities for improvement and drive change.

• Honest and helpful feedback; celebrates success and gives credit to others.

Accountability

• Motivated, self-directed, and detail-oriented.

• Takes full responsibility for actions and team outcomes.

• Follows up personally and monitors progress to ensure objectives are met.

• Holds self and others accountable for commitments.

• Takes ownership of technical issues and drives resolution.

Communication

• Contributes to strategic vision for equipment and facilities management.

• Effectively delegates to cross-functional team members.

• Manages multiple projects and priorities simultaneously.

• Ensures information and ideas flow in all appropriate directions.

• Communicates technical concepts clearly to non-technical stakeholders.

Teamwork

• Experience as both a member and leader of teams.

• Works cooperatively toward shared goals.

• Supports team successes and addresses conflict professionally.

• Collaborates cross-functionally.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Vets/Disabled

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Procurement, Supply Chain, Engineering, Facilities Management, Packaging, or related field (higher degree a plus).

• 5-8+ years of experience in Category Management, Procurement, Supply Chain, Equipment/Facilities Management, or Technical Support within a food & beverage or manufacturing environment.

• Preferred certifications: CPSM, CPM, PMP, MCIPS, CPIM, APICS, C.P.M, DOT, ISM, CIRM.

• Strong understanding of packaging materials, manufacturing processes, equipment integration, and technical support.

• Hands-on experience in a production, maintenance, or technical support setting.

• Working knowledge of ERP/MRP systems, CMMS, and technical drawing interpretation.

• Excellent communication, vendor negotiation, and cross-functional teamwork skills.

• Familiarity with GMP, HACCP, and food safety requirements.

• Financial understanding of P&L and ability to drive results for bottom line profit.