Category Manager in Westerville, Ohio at Supply Chain

DHL Group is the world's leading logistics company, connecting people and improving lives across more than 220 countries and territories. With over 580,000 employees worldwide, we deliver innovative logistics solutions while creating opportunities for our people to grow and thrive.

At DHL Corporate Procurement, we build a competitive and sustainable supplier ecosystem for DHL Group. We are a trusted business partner focused on creating value through strategic sourcing, supplier innovation, digital transformation, and strong stakeholder collaboration. As our business continues to grow, we are looking for talented professionals to join our Americas Procurement team.

The Opportunity

We are seeking a Category Manager to lead the Temporary Labor and Outsourced Services category across North America. This role is responsible for developing and implementing sourcing strategies, managing strategic supplier relationships, leading complex negotiations, and driving value creation across DHL's business divisions, including DHL Express, DHL Supply Chain, DHL Global Forwarding, and DHL eCommerce.

This is an excellent opportunity for experienced procurement professionals as well as candidates with strong contingent workforce, staffing agency, workforce solutions, MSP, VMS, or outsourced labor management experience who are interested in developing their procurement expertise within a global organization.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and implement regional category strategies aligned with global procurement objectives.
• Lead sourcing initiatives, supplier selection processes, RFPs, contract negotiations, and supplier performance management.
• Identify opportunities to optimize costs, improve service quality, mitigate risks, and enhance supplier capabilities.
• Build and maintain strategic partnerships with temporary labor providers, workforce solutions companies, and outsourced service providers.
• Manage complex sourcing projects from strategy development through implementation and benefit realization.
• Conduct market analysis and provide insights on labor market trends, workforce solutions, and supplier innovations.
• Lead regional procurement initiatives across Temporary Labor and Outsourced Services categories.
• Collaborate closely with DHL business leaders, operations teams, and the contingent workforce support team managing DHL's VMS platform.
• Drive supplier consolidation and develop strategic supplier partnerships where appropriate.
• Support cross-regional sourcing initiatives and share category expertise globally.
• Influence senior stakeholders and build strong relationships across business functions.
• Ensure compliance with corporate procurement policies, governance requirements, and ESG commitments.
• Apply advanced negotiation and commercial management techniques to maximize value creation.

What We're Looking For

Required

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Supply Chain Management, Procurement, Human Resources, International Management, or a related field.
• Significant experience in one or more of the following:
• Procurement and strategic sourcing
• Temporary labor or contingent workforce management
• Staffing agency leadership or workforce solutions
• Managed Service Provider (MSP) environments
• Vendor Management Systems (VMS)
• Outsourced services management
• Strong commercial, negotiation, and contract management skills.
• Experience managing complex projects and multiple stakeholders in a fast-paced environment.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to influence and engage senior business leaders.
• Fluency in English.

Preferred

• Experience within procurement, category management, or strategic sourcing.
• Experience supporting large-scale warehouse, logistics, manufacturing, or operational workforces.
• Knowledge of contingent workforce programs, staffing models, labor market dynamics, and supplier management.

What We Offer

• Opportunity to work for the world's leading logistics company.
• Exposure to a highly international and collaborative environment.
• Significant opportunities for professional growth and career development.
• Flexibility and a strong culture of continuous learning.
• Competitive compensation and benefits package.
• Access to global procurement best practices, tools, and development programs.

At DHL Group, we are committed to creating an inclusive workplace where everyone can thrive. We welcome applications from all qualified candidates and evaluate applicants based on their skills, experience, and potential.

Category Manager

Would you like to join the Logistics Company for the World? Have you often wondered how products get from point A to point B? DHL Supply Chain does just that.

Become an essential part of everyday life, by contributing to an organization that is Connecting People and Improving Lives. If you have a passion for people, a desire to problem-solve, and eagerness to pursue continuous improvement opportunities… we look forward to exploring career possibilities with you!

Job Description

Reporting to the Director of Procurement, the Category Manager will play an integral role in a variety of strategic sourcing initiatives. The Category Manager will have experience with sourcing or management of packaging and corporate wear and responsibility for managing the entire procurement cycle for certain key segments and in other cases will liaise with global Category Managers to facilitate the strategic sourcing process for stakeholders. The category manager will be a key component in increasing the total “managed spend” for the Network Supplies Commodity thereby enabling further savings and efficiencies.

• Establish relationships with local stakeholders and provide visibility and credibility for the strategic sourcing function and to ensure knowledge of internal demand and service quality.

• Meet or exceed the annual cash savings targets established for the position.

• Take the lead in specific sourcing initiatives as mandated by the Director of Procurement. Specific major projects in the near term will be focused on Network Supplies / Packaging / Print sourcing.

• Cooperate with global sourcing teams to develop and implement local procurement strategies.

• Identify and recommend “best in class suppliers”. Conduct supplier management according to corporate standards and provide feedback concerning suppliers to relevant team members.

• Analyze local spend data and identify opportunities for cost savings through strategic sourcing methodologies. Take the lead in initiating sourcing projects to act on these findings.

• Track category specific project progress and benefits and report according to corporate performance management requirements and tools.

• Develop and maintain thorough knowledge of relevant supply markets.

• Close cooperation with global sourcing to develop and implement best local procurement strategies

• Leading local category procurement processes

• Identifying and recommend “best in class” supplier and maintain good relationships with them

Required Education and Experience

• BS/BA University Degree or College Diploma (preferably in business administration, finance, engineering, marketing & sales) and 6+ years of in field of expertise or equivalent experience. or MS/MA and 4+ years' experience in related field

• Demonstrated experience in sourcing technologies. Familiar with reverse auctions; on-line bidding procedures; e-procurement and other relevant tools.

• Proven experience in successfully negotiating complex, high-value projects.

• Project management experience.

• Willingness to travel 10% of the time and work globally if appropriate.

Our Organization has a business casual environment and focuses on teamwork, associate development, training, and continuous improvement. We offer competitive wages, excellent affordable insurance benefits (including health, dental, vision and life), 401K plan, paid vacation and holidays.

Our Organization is an equal opportunity employer.