Category Manager, Electrical & Lighting
Jb Poindexter & Co
Other Engineering
Ann Arbor, MI, USA
Posted on Sep 2, 2025
Company and Position Overview:
JB Poindexter & Co (JBPCO) is a privately held, diversified manufacturing company forecasting $3B in annual revenue and 10,000 team members in 2025. JBPCO prides itself on providing best-in-class commercial automotive and industrial vehicles. The nine operating subsidiaries, covering approximately 70 locations, are engaged in the production of commercial truck bodies, step-vans, utility trucks, ambulances, funeral coaches, limousines, electric and alternative fuel vehicles, pickup truck bed enclosures, and expandable foam plastic packaging. For more information about our industry leading brands and products visit JBPoindexter.com or connect on LinkedIn.
Develop and execute global sourcing strategies for Electrical & Lighting and/or assigned items, leveraging synergies across the enterprise and driving a “One Supply Chain” philosophy. Plan and implement activities for timely, cost-effective procurement, quality products, planning and on-time delivery of assigned category products. Prioritize and maintain balance between cost of acquisition and cost of possession to maximize return on investment including methodologies to maximize working capital.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Strategic Supplier Management
- Develop strategic initiatives in assigned commodities to facilitate cross-business synergies utilizing both domestic and offshore supply base.
- Lead supplier sourcing, evaluation and selection, negotiation, performance monitoring, relationship management, and continuous improvement.
- Work closely with BU Purchasing leads, Finance, Engineering, and Sales & Marketing to develop and maintain technology and/or category strategies.
- Develop and maintaining strong global supplier relationships, including supplier site visits and relationships at all levels of their organization.
- Track and report on supplier strategies, monitoring spend, business allocation, capability gap analysis and facilitate cross-functional review and evaluation.
- Develop strategies for the mitigation of risk in the supply chain, overall and for specific new product programs.
- Provide benchmarking studies, market analysis, and implement best practices across the enterprise.
- Negotiate buys & long term agreements for components and raw materials.
- Organize and lead regular strategic supplier business reviews.
Process Responsibilities
- Facilitate the support of category analysis (internal and external) in support of the Strategic Sourcing processes.
- Manage sourcing and negotiations, implementation of agreements and integration of key suppliers, performance monitoring, ongoing supplier and contract management for assigned commodities.
- Assist in the development and enhancement of processes; systems and reporting capabilities to drive efficiencies in providing regional procurement services.
- Help improve processes and leverage technology to reduce costs, identify and implement best practices, and measure performance.
- Provide direction and prioritization to re-engineering team efforts.
- Identify appropriate competitive benchmarks and implements approved process changes necessary to achieve first quintile performance in benchmark group.
- Contribute to Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) reduction efforts and initiatives to achieve the benefits.
- Assist in the improvement of systems and work processes.
Qualifications and Skills
- 5-8+ years related experience in a Supply Chain or Procurement role related to Electrical, Automotive Lighting and Wire Harnesses.
- Bachelor’s Degree from a four-year college or university
- Purchasing in a Manufacturing/Engineered Product environment.
- Interfacing with product engineering and program management teams.
- Experience in executing Global Supply Chain initiatives & strategic planning.
- Experience in global procurement and sourcing.
- C.P.M., CPSM, or CPIM certification is preferred.
- Ability to travel domestically 25-50%.
- Knowledge / working understanding of Wire Harness products as a category.
- Ability to travel internationally as required.
- Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
- Strong foundational knowledge and acumen in procurement and category management.
- Project management skills including excellent planning, time management, decision making and organizational skills.
- Working knowledge of assembly & manufacturing processes.
- Knowledge of Purchasing Law and Uniform Commercial Code.
- Strong organizational, analytical and negotiating skills.
- Excellent communication skills, written & verbal.
- Excellent ability to analyze, evaluate and report procurement information and data to inform management decisions and track outcomes.
- Advanced knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel and Project.
- Thorough understanding of the financial impact of decisions.
- Previous ERP/MRP experience.
- Change Management experience.
JB Poindexter & Co., Inc. provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.
This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.
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Travel Required: Yes
Virtual Job: false