DescriptionROLE: Category Manager REPORTS TO: VP, Procurement LOCATION: Houston Corporate Office (4 days/week in the office)
COMPANY OVERVIEW Venterra Realty is a growing developer, owner, and operator of multifamily apartments with approximately 90 mixed-use and multifamily communities across 21 major US cities. Over 42,000 people and more than 18,000 pets call Venterra home ! We are committed to improving the lives of our residents by delivering an industry-leading customer experience. Through the exceptional commitment and dedication of our approximately 900 team members, we've enjoyed tremendous growth and financial success over our 23-year history. We're thrilled to be recognized as a leading workplace with
numerous prestigious awards year after year! In 2024 alone,
Great Place to Work's annual employee survey led to various workplace recognitions including being named one of the
2024 FORTUNE© Best Medium Workplaces, ranking #1 in our size category on the
2024 Best Workplaces in Real Estate list, and being celebrated as one of
People Magazine's 2024 PEOPLE® Companies that Care.Anonymous
Venterra Glassdoor reviews have also resulted in our becoming a five-time
Glassdoor Best Places to Work winner. Explore our communities at
VenterraLiving.com, and visit
Venterra.com to learn more about how we're out-caring the competition by staying true to our value proposition: We care more about renter experiences, which drives superior results. THE OPPORTUNITY We are seeking a highly motivated and experienced Category Manager to join our team. The ideal candidate will be responsible for developing and executing sourcing strategies to optimize supplier relationships, reduce costs, and improve overall efficiency. The Category Manager will work closely with cross-functional teams to identify sourcing opportunities, negotiate contracts, and ensure compliance with company policies and procedures. This role requires strong analytical skills, excellent communication abilities, and a proven track record of driving results in a fast-paced environment. KEY JOB RESPONSIBILITIES
- Develop and implement strategic sourcing strategies to achieve cost savings and improve supplier performance.
- Conduct market research and analysis to identify potential suppliers, assess market trends, and evaluate supplier capabilities.
- Collaborate with internal stakeholders to understand business needs and requirements, and develop sourcing plans accordingly.
- Lead supplier negotiations to secure favorable contract terms, including pricing, payment terms, and service level agreements.
- Evaluate supplier performance against key metrics and implement continuous improvement initiatives to drive operational efficiencies.
- Manage supplier relationships, including conducting regular performance reviews, resolving issues, and identifying opportunities for collaboration and innovation.
- Ensure compliance with company policies, procedures, and regulatory requirements throughout the sourcing process.
- Monitor market conditions and industry trends to proactively identify risks and opportunities, and adjust sourcing strategies as needed.
- Develop and maintain strong relationships with internal stakeholders, including accounts payable, finance and operations teams.
- Provide regular updates and reports on sourcing activities, performance metrics, and cost savings achievements to senior management.
- Provide analytical support for sourcing decisions, including spend analysis, supplier performance evaluation, and cost-benefit analysis.
- Ensure compliance with company policies, procedures, and regulatory requirements throughout the sourcing process.
- Work closely with cross-functional teams and interact with internal and external stakeholders on a regular basis.
CANDIDATE PROFILE
- Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Supply Chain Management, or related field.
- Minimum of 3-5 years of experience in strategic sourcing, procurement, or supply chain management roles.
- Proven track record of developing and executing successful sourcing strategies to achieve cost savings and improve supplier performance.
- Strong negotiation skills and experience in contract management and supplier relationship management.
- Excellent analytical and problem-solving abilities, with the ability to interpret complex data and make data-driven decisions.
- Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to effectively collaborate with cross-functional teams and build strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
- Detail-oriented with strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, with advanced Excel skills (e.g., pivot tables, vlookup, data analysis) is required.
- Experience with procurement software tools such as Coupa and ERP systems (e.g., SAP, Oracle) is a plus.
- Occasional travel to Canada, property locations, supplier sites or industry events may be required.
BENEFITS
- Competitive Base Salary and performance bonus
- A robust package of Health (Medical (PPO), Dental, Vision), 401k matching, paid vacation suite benefits and employer-paid Short & Long-Term Disability, among other things
- Educational Assistance / Reimbursement to support your drive to learn
- 8 paid hours per year of Volunteer Time Off to serve the organization(s) of your choice
- Access to thousands of employee discounts with BenefitHub
Venterra Realty is an equal opportunity employer. Accessibility accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all stages of the selection process.