Category Director, Steel and Structural

At Trane Technologies^TM  and through our businesses including Trane^® and Thermo King^®, we create innovative climate solutions for buildings, homes, and transportation that challenge what’s possible for a sustainable world. We're a team that dares to look at the world's challenges and see impactful possibilities. We believe in a better future when we uplift others and enable our people to thrive at work and at home. We boldly go.

What’s in it for you:  

Be a part of our mission!  As a world leader in creating comfortable, sustainable, and efficient environments, it’s our responsibility to put the planet first. For us at Trane Technologies, sustainability is not just how we do business—it is our business. Do you dare to look at the world's challenges and see impactful possibilities? Do you want to contribute to making a better future? If the answer is yes, we invite you to consider joining us in boldly challenging what’s possible for a sustainable world. 

Thrive at work and at home:  

·        Benefits kick in on DAY ONE for you and your family, including health insurance and holistic wellness programs that include generous incentives – WE DARE TO CARE!   

·        Family building benefits include fertility coverage and adoption/surrogacy assistance.   

·        401K match up to 6%, plus an additional 2% core contribution = up to 8% company contribution.    

·        Paid time off, including in support of volunteer and parental leave needs.      

·        Educational and training opportunities through company programs along with tuition assistance and student debt support.    

·        Learn more about our benefits here!  

Job Summary：

The position of Category Director, Direct Materials has responsibility for strategic and tactical leadership of the Steel and Structural category team.  The leader has the critical responsibility of developing and aligning category strategies with business partners needs across the enterprise and identifying and managing a supply base to drive growth & profitability across all Trane Technologies strategic business units.  The total spend is approximately $570M across multiple categories.

• Steel (service centers and steel mill buy)
• Metal Fabrications
• Polymer & composites
• Paints and Coatings
• Packaging & Returnable Packaging

Where is the work:

Hybrid:  This position has been designated as a hybrid work schedule with work performed onsite 3 days each week. 

Responsibilities: 

• Leadership of category team members including support of talent development, employee engagement, and performance management.
• Responsible for assuring strategy development, execution of procurement processes and supplier relationship management.
• Develop & implement multi-year category strategies with goals to increase spend with preferred suppliers.
• Develop relationships and communication strategies with internal partners to identify business needs and align supply base to achieve strategic direction.
• Provide leadership and oversight of the sourcing process to ensure spend is awarded to provide the maximum value to Trane Technologies.
• Lead the development and negotiation of contracts through the contract lifecycle maximizing value while minimizing risk to Trane Technologies.
• Identify and Manage risk mitigation strategies in support of category strategies

Qualifications:

• Education: Bachelor’s Degree required in Business administration, supply chain, engineering, finance or similar. MBA preferred.
• Sourcing or category management experience within the Steel and fabrication industry required.
• Sourcing experience in the development and management of a global supply base is required. 
• 10+ years of experience in Procurement/Supply Chain and 5+ years of leadership experience.
• Demonstrated success includes supplier development across regions, responsibility for high-level negotiations, leading/participating on multi-functional projects, and team development
• Experience developing and implementing strategies across an enterprise
• Strong project management experience
• Ability to work effectively with all levels of management, all functional areas
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Previous experience in developing standard processes and tools – data management and strong Excel skills required.
• Excellent collaboration skills
• Experience managing and partnering with suppliers as well as internal stakeholders
• Ability to influence others regardless of function or title
• Lean experience beneficial
• Lives the Trane Technologies values

Key Competencies:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.  The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required. 

• Communication Skills – Exhibits enthusiasm, influences customers, represents Procurement with SBU leadership, presentation and messaging skills (understanding the audience)
• Supply Chain Acumen – Establishes long-term strategies, champions’ development and utilization of globally competitive tools and processes, drives for optimal business results focused on meeting the needs of the business.
• Project Management – Collaborates with cross-functional leaders to align objectives, manages global project portfolio, oversees overall implementation.  Reviews and approves teams’ project plans, balances projects between short and long-term focus, secures alignment with cross-functional partners.  Manage prioritization of team resources.
• Global Business Thinking/Strategizing - Demonstrates deep global knowledge of suppliers, industry trends, emerging markets and technology, builds this knowledge into strategies/playbooks, develops team’s capabilities & talent.
• Problem Solving - Understands customer expectations; keeps abreast of competitor/related industry problems; feeds learning into IR to anticipate and avoid potential problems; oversees team problem solving and corrective action plan implementation.
• Relationship Management – Creates collaborative environment with cross-functional senior peers, assures regular/appropriate two-way communication flow, builds/maintains relationship with industry peers and suppliers leaders, and reinforces lead  to the supply base.
• Change Management - Develops and utilizes change management tools to educate business on key strategies and business objectives to support vision of indirect procurement. 

Equal Employment Opportunity:   

We offer competitive compensation and comprehensive benefits and programs. We are an equal opportunity employer; all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, pregnancy, age, marital status, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any legally protected status.