Who Are We?

The Toro Company is a homegrown, Minnesota-based company that has been in business since 1914. We pride ourselves on providing world - class equipment to help maintain the environment that we love, while putting an emphasis on giving back to the communities that surround us. From residential lawns and gardens, to venues such as St Andrews Links and Target Field, we are a company with a global footprint and a passion for helping people beautify whatever landscape they may be in. With 100 years of operation under our belt and an average employee tenure of 15 years, come find out what makes The Toro Company the best place in the Twin Cities to build a career.

As a Category Manager you will transform TTC supply base through vision, market research, strategy, and rapid execution of sourcing events, negotiations, contracts, and supplier transitions. Deliver best in class supply chains for targeted commodities that are highly competitive in total cost of ownership (TCO) with industry leading quality and delivery performance.

What Will You Do?

In this highly visible role across the enterprise you will be expected to:

• Lead commodity strategy development and collaborate closely with the Commodity Manager for assigned commodities incorporating customer and product requirements, market conditions, business risks, and supplier capabilities to identify short term, midterm, and long term goals.

• Develop, manage and execute programs, projects and action plans converting commodity strategies into realized bottom line savings and top level performance for the business.

• Deliver significant improvements in cost productivity, spend under contract, and supply consolidation.

• Communicate on a continuous basis with internal customers to understand business objectives, expectations and specific requirements.

• Challenge internal stakeholders to prioritize and focus needs vs. wants to consolidate suppliers across a multidivisional enterprise.

• Develop and maintain knowledge of market conditions, trends, sources of supply and supplier capabilities for materials, equipment and services within assigned commodities.

• Host kickoff events to set expectations with current and potential suppliers in assigned categories.

• Select representative components within categories to create market baskets to evaluate fair market value of components.

• Synthesize market data, stake holder input and commodity strategy objectives to propose transformation projects and secure stakeholder support.

• Create negotiation strategies and plans.

• Lead sourcing negotiations with all levels of supplier contacts to establish terms of contracts, memorandum of understanding and schedule agreements.

• Communicate to stakeholders upward and across the organization as required by the profile of the commodity.

• Define and track appropriate metrics for total cost reduction, provide data and input to business and corporate metrics and forecasts.

• Establish sources and alternate sources of supply to enhance means of meeting purchase requirements and achieving best total delivered cost, quality, service, and technology.

• Develop, maintain and strengthen long-term supplier relationships. Provide work direction to buyers and analysts as needed. Travel potential of 25-50%. Any special tasks, assignments, and projects as assigned.

Job Dimensions

Interfacing with commodity buyer, commodity manager, supplier quality engineer, advanced sourcing managers, product managers, engineering, legal, manufacturing facilities, various leadership teams and suppliers. This position is responsible for strategic sourcing activities for the assigned set of commodities. Travel both domestic and/or international will be required.

What Do You Need?

• Bachelor’s degree in Operations, Engineering, Supply Chain or Business; Master’s degree preferred.

• Level I = With Bachelor's degree 7+ years sourcing/supply chain experience. With Master's degree 5+ years sourcing/supply chain experience.

• Level II = With Bachelor's degree 10+ years sourcing/supply chain experience. With Master's degree 7+ years sourcing/supply chain experience.

• Sourcing technical and mechanical/electrical equipment-related components or equivalent preferred.

• Demonstrated experience in: negotiation, forecasting, leading cross-functional teams, working with various levels of management, understanding commodity markets, partnering with engineers, and working with and developing international vendors, project management, data analytics

• Experience in sourcing parts/assemblies globally (Mexico, India, China and Europe) strongly desired

• Skilled in Microsoft Office Suite

• Excellent written and verbal communications

• Strong interpersonal, facilitation and team leadership skills

• Strong analytical abilities and research skills, including using internet sources as a resource

• Skilled in reading and interpreting engineering drawings and blueprints

• Understanding of enterprise purchasing and planning systems such as SAP and analytical tools

What Can We Give You?

At The Toro Company, we are always working to make sure our employees know just how valued they are. In addition to a competitive salary, an affordable and top tier medical/dental/vision plan, 401k, and many other great benefits - The Toro company offers employees at our Bloomington, MN HQ   location a variety of perks , including:  

• Dress for your day - We know you're more productive when you're comfortable, which is why TTC employees are encouraged to take advantage of our casual, corporate environment.  

• Location – Conveniently located near both St. Paul and Minneapolis, we are centrally located for most commuters!   #LI-Hybrid

• Food - Take advantage of our onsite café, which serves both breakfast and lunch. With a Caribou Coffee attached, you can grab a snack and a coffee at any time during your day.  

• Wellness - The Toro Company’s HQ offers complimentary use of our onsite fitness facility to employees. In addition to physical wellbeing, TTC offers a variety of mental health and financial health resources to all employees.

• Volunteerism - The Toro Company is proud to provide employees 20 hours of paid time to volunteer in the community.  

• Summer Hours – Enjoy a flexible schedule during the summer! By working a little more during the first few days of the week, TTC employees at our Bloomington HQ are able to start their weekends early and leave by noon on Friday.  

• Competitive Salary – The pay range takes into account skills, experience, education, and location. It is not common to be hired at or near the top of the range; compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case. Cash compensation is one piece of our competitive total rewards package. If you need to, you can access your pay early with the One@Work app, formerly the Even app.

  We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer and consider qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and related needs and conditions , gender identity, and sexual orientation), parental status, national origin, age, disability, genetic information (including family medical history), political affiliation, military service, or other non- merit based factors. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.