North America Category Manager – OPEX, CAPEX

IFF

Category Manager at IFF overseeing strategic sourcing for OPEX and CAPEX procurement in North America. Leading negotiations and supplier relationships to enhance operational reliability.

Posted 4/10/2026full-timeMemphis • Tennessee • 🇺🇸 United StatesSeniorLeadWebsite

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Develop and own the North America category strategy for Operating Expenditures (OPEX), including Maintenance, Repair & Operations (MRO), and Capital Expenditures (CAPEX).
Create multi-year category roadmaps aligned with site needs, operational priorities, and business objectives.
Lead sourcing events, competitive bids, and complex negotiations for equipment, original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), contracted services, and engineering partners.
Identify and deliver year-over-year cost savings, total cost of ownership (TCO) improvements, and working capital benefits.
Standardize critical spare parts, preferred supplier programs, and service delivery models across manufacturing sites.
Oversee Engineering, Procurement & Construction Management (EPCM) partners to ensure timely, compliant, and cost-effective CAPEX project execution.
Support project planning and procurement activities for construction services, equipment selection, installation, and commissioning.
Collaborate closely with Operations, Engineering, Reliability, Maintenance, and Facility teams to identify efficiency, reliability, and cost-reduction opportunities.
Build and manage strategic supplier portfolios while ensuring robust supplier performance, risk mitigation, and compliance with safety and quality standards.

Requirements

What you’ll need

8–12+ years of experience in procurement or strategic sourcing.
Proven expertise in MRO procurement, including critical spares, maintenance services, industrial supplies, and OEM management.
Strong experience in CAPEX procurement, including equipment purchasing, EPC/EPCM models, utilities, installation, and commissioning.
Background in facility services procurement (e.g., HVAC, janitorial, security, waste, utilities support) is a plus.
Demonstrated success developing category strategies, negotiating service contracts, and managing complex supplier relationships.
Experience partnering closely with Operations, Engineering, and Maintenance within manufacturing environments.
Ability to interpret asset management concepts, reliability principles, and facility operations.
Strong analytical skills, including the ability to evaluate supplier risk, performance metrics, and value creation opportunities.
Excellent stakeholder management across plant, regional, and global functions.

Benefits

Comp & perks

Hybrid work model supporting flexibility and work–life balance.
Opportunities to lead strategic sourcing initiatives with real operational impact.
A highly collaborative environment within a global procurement community.
A purpose-driven culture that values innovation and sustainability.

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills & Tools

procurementstrategic sourcingMRO procurementCAPEX procurementEPCEPCMcost savingstotal cost of ownershipsupplier performance evaluationcategory strategy development

Soft Skills

negotiationstakeholder managementanalytical skillscollaborationrisk mitigationsupplier relationship managementcommunicationproblem-solvingstrategic thinkingproject planning