Category Manager - Indirect Procurement

Location: Dallas, TX, US, 75204 Position: Full-Time Total Rewards: Benefits/Incentive Information If you've worn a pair of glasses, we've already met. We are a global leader in the design, manufacture, and distribution of ophthalmic lenses, frames, and sunglasses. We offer our industry stakeholders in over 150 countries access to a global platform of high-quality vision care products such as the Essilor brand, with Varilux, Crizal, Eyezen, Stellest and Transitions, iconic brands that consumers love such as Ray-Ban, Oakley, Persol and Oliver Peoples, as well as a network that offers consumers high-quality vision care and best-in-class shopping experiences such as Sunglass Hut, Lens Crafters, and Target Optical, and leading e-commerce platforms. Our portfolio of more than 150 renowned brands span various categories, from frames, lenses and instruments to brick and mortar and digital distribution as well as mid-range to premium segments. Our Shared Services Team, accompany and enable others within the Essilor Luxottica collective to achieve their targets. They keep people and projects running smoothly, ensuring every part of our business is provided for and well taken care of. Join our global community of over 200,000 dedicated employees around the world in driving the transformation of the eyewear and eyecare industry. Discover more by following us on Linked In!

JOB DESCRIPTION: GENERAL FUNCTION The Category Manager – Indirect Procurement owns category strategies across designated indirect spend categories, driving value creation, supplier optimization, risk mitigation, and long-term sourcing initiatives across the enterprise. This role applies strong analytical rigor, cost modeling, market intelligence, and data-driven decision making. The Category Manager partners with internal stakeholders to optimize total cost, service levels, supplier performance, and execution of multi-year category strategies.

MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: Lead strategic sourcing initiatives, including RFIs, RFQs, and RFPs, and category transformation programs across assigned spend categories. Conduct detailed financial and Excel-based analyses to support recommendations, including TCO models, bid comparisons, and scenario modeling. Lead cross-functional project teams on category initiatives, supplier transitions, demand management, and cost optimization programs. Evaluate supplier performance using KPIs and analytics; drive corrective action and performance improvement where needed. Develop supplier portfolio strategies, including supplier consolidation, risk mitigation, innovation programs, and strategic partnerships. Develop and execute multi-year category strategies aligned with business objectives, market dynamics, spend profiles, and enterprise priorities. Identify opportunities for spend consolidation, process simplification, and improved purchasing compliance. Build strong partnerships with internal stakeholders to understand requirements, gather specifications, and provide procurement insights. Monitor category trends, spend patterns, and budget alignment; prepare quarterly reporting on savings, performance, and project status. Support contract development and negotiation in collaboration with Legal and internal business owners. Ensure timely procurement of goods and services from approved suppliers while maintaining compliance with sourcing policies. Maintain accurate supplier and category data for reporting, analytics, and performance tracking. Contribute to continuous improvement efforts in procurement processes, tools, templates, and systems.

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS: Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience 3-6 years of relevant business experience 3+ years in procurement, strategic sourcing, or category management roles, preferably in indirect procurement Strong analytical capabilities with demonstrated proficiency in Excel (pivot tables, VLOOKUP/XLOOKUP, modeling, data cleaning) Understanding standard procurement practices, sourcing methodologies, and contract basics Experience running competitive bid events (RFI/RFQ/RFP) Demonstrated experience developing and implementing category strategies with measurable business impact. Experience influencing senior stakeholders and leading cross-functional initiatives. Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Excel required, Power Point and Word strong plus) Strong problem-solving, analytical, data interpretation, and critical-thinking skillsPREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS Experience with procurement systems or e?sourcing platforms, preferably Ariba or SAP Exposure to category management principles in indirect categories Experience supporting budgeting, forecasting, or financial analysis.