Category Manager in Hooksett, New Hampshire at Merchants Automotive Group

Hooksett, New Hampshire, United States

Position Title: Category Manager

Are you a strategic sourcing expert with a passion for negotiation, supplier partnerships, and driving enterprise value? Join Merchants Fleet as a Category Manager and play a key role in shaping procurement strategies across high-impact categories ranging from $80MM to $1.3B in spend.

This is an exciting opportunity for a procurement professional who thrives in a fast-paced environment and wants to influence sourcing strategy, supplier performance, and operational excellence within the automotive and fleet management industry.

Location: Hooksett, NH (Hybrid)

What Youll Do:

• As a Category Manager, you will lead procurement initiatives across critical business categories including:
  • Upfitters
  • OEMs
  • Auto dealers
  • Transportation
  • Storage
  • Maintenance & repair
  • IT
  • Marketing
  • Automotive services and related categories

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and execute category-specific sourcing and procurement strategies
• Analyze market trends, supplier capabilities, risks, and opportunities within automotive and fleet management sectors
• Build and maintain strong supplier relationships while negotiating favorable pricing, contracts, and service agreements
• Collaborate cross-functionally with internal stakeholders to align procurement strategies with business objectives
• Continuously evaluate and optimize the supplier base for quality, innovation, and cost-effectiveness
• Monitor supplier performance against KPIs and contractual benchmarks
• Lead contract negotiations and ensure compliance with company standards and policies
• Forecast budget impacts and support overall financial performance goals
• Stay informed on emerging technologies, industry trends, and supplier innovations
• Utilize procurement systems and tools to manage sourcing activities, contracts, renewals, and reporting

What Were Looking For

• Qualifications & Skills
• Strong project management and leadership capabilities
• Demonstrated success negotiating high-value, enterprise-level contracts
• Deep understanding of the automotive and fleet management industry
• Exceptional supplier relationship management and negotiation skills
• Strong analytical mindset with the ability to interpret data and market insights
• Experience managing budgets and conducting financial analysis
• Ability to influence stakeholders and drive strategic initiatives across the organization
• Education & Experience
• Bachelors degree in Business, Supply Chain Management, or a related field
• Procurement or supply chain certification preferred
• Proven experience as a Category Manager or similar procurement role within automotive or fleet management industries
• Track record of delivering cost savings, value creation, and operational improvements

Why Join Us?

At Merchants Fleet, youll have the opportunity to make a measurable impact on enterprise procurement strategy while working alongside a collaborative and innovative team. If you're ready to lead complex sourcing initiatives and help shape the future of fleet management procurement, wed love to hear from you.

The Company

You're invigorated by team collaboration and a fast-paced work environment. Opportunities for growth motivate you to always bring your A-game. Youre tired of being told no when you think of ways to improve, innovate, and do things better.

Theres a place for people like you. Welcome to Merchants Fleet.

Weve been around for more than 60 years, but were the fastest growing fleet management company in North America. The fleet industry is behind every delivered package, the summertime memories kids make on their way to camp, and the heavy-duty trucks and vans that keep the lights on. Thats a lot of responsibility, and why we want our employees to always be at their best.

Everything at Merchants Fleet is fueled by our entrepreneurial spirit, including:

• Leadership who truly lead and engage with employees
• Real career paths and the tools you need to grow and develop
• A work environment thats encouraging and collaborative

We know employees wont stay if theyre not happy, which is why we provide a great benefits package on top of our award-winning work environment. In fact, weve just made the Great Companies to Work For in NH list for the eighth year in a row and have a 88% employee satisfaction score (higher than the national average of 57%).

So, what are you waiting for? See why a career with Merchants Fleet is the best decision your future self has ever made.

Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability/protected veterans