Crum & Forster (C&F), with a proud history dating to 1822, provides specialty and standard commercial lines insurance products through our admitted and surplus lines insurance companies. C&F enjoys a financial strength rating of "A" (Excellent) by AM Best and is proud of our superior customer service platform. Our claims and risk engineering services are recognized as among the best in the industry.

Our most valuable asset is our people: more than 2000 employees in locations throughout the United States. The company is increasingly winning recognition as a great place to work, earning several workplace and wellness awards, including the 2024 Great Place to Work^® Award for our employee-first focus and our steadfast commitment to diversity, equity and Inclusion.

C&F is part of Fairfax Financial Holdings, a global, billion dollar organization.  

For more information about Crum & Forster, please visit our website: www.cfins.com.

Information about the Role, Line of Business and Team:

The Category Manager is responsible for developing and executing category strategies to optimize procurement operations, drive cost savings, and ensure the organization’s supply chain remains efficient and effective. This role involves managing supplier relationships, conducting market analysis, negotiating contracts, and collaborating with internal stakeholders to align procurement strategies with business objectives. The Category Manager will oversee specific categories of goods or services, ensuring quality, cost-effectiveness, and compliance with organizational standards.  

What you will do:

Category Strategy Development

• Develop and implement category-specific procurement strategies to achieve cost savings, quality improvements, and risk mitigation.
• Analyze spend data and market trends to identify opportunities for category optimization.
• Align category strategies with the organization’s overall procurement and business goals.

Supplier Relationship Management

• Identify, evaluate, and manage relationships with key suppliers within assigned categories.
• Conduct supplier performance reviews and implement improvement plans as needed.
• Foster strong partnerships with suppliers to ensure long-term collaboration and innovation.

Inventory and Order Management

• Monitor inventory levels to ensure optimal stock availability while minimizing excess or obsolete inventory.
• Manage purchase orders, track deliveries, and resolve any discrepancies or delays.
• Collaborate with internal teams to forecast demand and plan procurement activities accordingly.

Contract Negotiation and Management

• Lead contract negotiations to secure favorable terms, pricing, and service levels.
• Draft, review, and manage contracts to ensure compliance with legal and regulatory requirements.
• Monitor contract performance and address any issues or disputes promptly.

Market Analysis and Benchmarking

• Conduct market research to stay informed about industry trends, pricing fluctuations, and emerging opportunities.
• Benchmark category performance against industry standards to identify areas for improvement.
• Provide insights and recommendations to senior leadership based on market analysis.

Cost Management and Savings Initiatives

• Identify and implement cost-saving opportunities within assigned categories.
• Monitor category spend and ensure adherence to budgetary constraints.
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders to drive cost-efficiency initiatives.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Work closely with internal teams, including operations, finance, and legal, to align category strategies with organizational needs.
• Act as a subject matter expert for assigned categories, providing guidance and support to stakeholders.
• Facilitate communication between internal teams and suppliers to ensure smooth procurement processes.

Risk Management and Compliance

• Identify and mitigate risks within the supply chain for assigned categories.
• Ensure compliance with organizational policies, industry regulations, and ethical standards.
• Develop contingency plans to address potential supply chain disruptions.

What YOU will bring to C&F:

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, or a related field.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in procurement, category management, or a related role.
• Proven track record of managing procurement categories and achieving cost savings.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent negotiation and communication abilities.
• Proficiency in procurement software and tools (e.g., SAP, Ariba, Coupa).
• In-depth knowledge of category management principles and best practices.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to collaborate with cross-functional teams.

Certifications (Preferred)

• Certified Professional in Supply Management (CPSM) or equivalent certification.
• Category Management Association (CMA) certification or similar credentials.

We value inclusivity and diversity. We are committed to equal employment opportunity and welcome everyone regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity, or Veteran status. If you require special accommodation, please let us know.

For California Residents Only:  Information collected and processed as part of your career profile and any job applications you choose to submit are subject to our privacy notices and policies, visit https://www.cfins.com/onlineprivacypolicy/ca/noticeatcollection/ for more information.

Crum & Forster is committed to ensuring a workplace free from discriminatory pay disparities and complying with applicable pay equity laws.  Salary ranges are available for all positions at this location, taking into account roles with a comparable level of responsibility and impact in the relevant labor market and these salary ranges are regularly reviewed and adjusted in accordance with prevailing market conditions. The annualized base pay for the advertised position, located in the specified area, ranges from a minimum of $75,200.00 to a maximum of $110,200.00. The actual compensation is determined by various factors, including but not limited to the market pay for the jobs at each level, the responsibilities and skills required for each job, and the employee’s contribution (performance) in that role. To be considered within market range, a salary is at or above the minimum of the range. You may also have the opportunity to participate in discretionary equity (stock) based compensation and/or performance-based variable pay programs.

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