Sr Category Manager - Fleet

Patterson isn't just a place to work, it's a partner that cares about your success.

One of the distinguishing marks of our company is the talented people who embrace the people-first, always advancing, and results-driven culture. Professional growth abounds in this motivating environment. We value the diverse talents and experiences our employees bring to Patterson and believe that they build a stronger and successful organization.

Responsible for managing internal Fleet Management functions and activities of suppliers including vendor selection, contract negotiations management, supplier service level agreement (SLA) performance, cost reduction process improvement in targeted fleet activities and operations activities/programs. Tasks include understanding contract terms, managing rebates, and driving collaborative relationship with assigned fleet vendors.

The successful candidate will be responsible for selection expansion including identifying potential vendors and enhanced SLA opportunities, building direct relationships with key vendors, negotiating contracts, and terms & conditions. Managing vendor setup and integration within Patterson Companies, Inc. Working with internal PLSI, Patterson Business Unit (PBU), corporate human resource, risk, regulatory, and IT Services teams to build comprehensive selection process, setting rates, and developing collaborative SLA alignment. The candidate should have experience developing and analyzing current performance trends and in costs and SLA's. While building strong internal business unit relationships, that support driving significant top and bottom line results, risk management and regulatory compliance.

Individual must be comfortable managing multiple responsibilities within a fast-paced environment.

Major Duties

• Possess strong analytical acumen and be comfortable drawing metric-based conclusions by managing an extensive amount of data.

• Fleet, maintenance, and OEM sourcing activities.

• Ownership for multiple fleet vendor relationships: contract negotiations, setting metrics, conducting regular reviews, and ensuring vendors continue to provide value.

• Develop additional transportation vendor resources in assigned category to obtain appropriate assets necessary to meet internal SLA PBU needs. This includes management of internal workflow process to ensure seamless and timely implementation of projects and adherence to all deadlines.

• Serve as fleet vendor liaison; establishing and maintaining contact with key internal functional PLSI/PBU team members and external transportation vendor team members to those contacts for questions and processes outside of the scope of transportation.

• Lead new fleet vendor onboarding process by engaging legal, compliance, finance, business and technology teams to ensure MNDAs, MSAs, and SOW are completed on time to support requirements.

• Regularly and proactively review interactions with fleet vendors to ensure adherence to contractual obligations.

• Collaborate with the strategic Patterson Business Unit team to identify new SLA objectives and new fleet services available. Assist with process improvement projects to streamline existing approaches to meeting and exceeding employee experience expectations.

• Work with the Employee Experience teams to identify sources of new metrics and best practices to manage data; driving increased organizational/vendor knowledge of our impact to meeting and exceeding our employee expectations.

• Communicate successes and failures and develop recommendations for future process improvement opportunities.

• Effective leader and communicator in working with Patterson PLSI/PBU team internal groups such as field and corporate sales team, category management, marketing, finance, operations, and supply chain.

• Performs other duties as assigned.

Job Qualifications

Basic qualifications

• B.A. or B.S. degree in business, supply chain, procurement, finance or equivalent experience; MBA preferred

• 5+ years of experience in Strategic Supplier Relationship Management, Supplier Performance Management or Third-Party Risk Management

• Interpersonal: ability to lead and influence execute level stakeholders

• Thought Leadership: determination to drive breakthrough thinking and continuous improvement; sets a personal example

Preferred qualifications

• Data Base development and management

• Strong communication skills, both written and verbal

• Experience in evaluating, developing and implementing vendor performance management solution utilizing data driven analytics

• Experience working within cross-functional teams

• Ability to think strategically and operationally/tactically

• Ability to flourish and influence others in an environment of fast growth and ambiguity

What's In It For You: (~~~)

We provide competitive benefits, unique incentive programs and rewards for our eligible employees:

• Full Medical, Dental, and Vision benefits and an integrated Wellness Program.

• 401(k) Match Retirement Savings Plan.

• Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP).

• Paid Time Off (PTO).

• Holiday Pay & Floating Holidays.

• Volunteer Time Off (VTO).

• Educational Assistance Program (Tuition Reimbursement).

• Full Paid Parental and Adoption Leave.

• LifeWorks (Employee Assistance Program).

• Patterson Perks Program.

EEO Statement

EOE, including disability/vets.

We are Patterson. We welcome you.

At Patterson Companies, we live our values everyday. With more than 8,000 employees worldwide, we're responsible for providing dentists, veterinarians, animal producers, and farmers with the support they need to keep us and our animals healthy.

An Equal Opportunity Employer

Patterson Companies, Inc., is an equal opportunity employer. We consider all qualified applicants without regard to race, religion, color, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability or veteran status, among other factors.