Strategic Category & Sourcing Manager-Indirect (New Joint Venture)

3M announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement with Bain Capital to form a new Joint Venture which will combine Scott Safety and Madison Fire and Rescue. 3M's deep expertise and track record in the safety industry combined with Bain Capital's capability to integrate businesses, accelerate growth and drive synergies make this an ideal partnership.

The transaction is expected to close in the second half of 2026, subject to customary closing conditions.

The successful candidate may be employed by 3M prior to closing and the position is expected to transition to the Joint Venture following completion of the transaction. Role scope and timing are subject to business needs and successful transaction close.

For more information, please refer to the press release: 3M to create a leading fire and safety business; acquires Madison Fire & Rescue and combines with Scott Safety - Mar 19, 2026

This position provides an opportunity to transition from other private, public, government or military experience to a 3M career.

The Impact You’ll Make in this Role
As the Strategic Category & Sourcing Manager for the Indirect business needs, you may lead and/or support the development and execution of sourcing strategies across key indirect spend areas, including MRO, Fleet, IT, Capital Projects, R&D, Energy, Site Services, etc.

In this role, you will be responsible for cost competitiveness, supplier performance, service levels, operational continuity, and risk management across a diverse indirect supply base. A key responsibility of this role is leading the implementation, negotiation, and extension of commercial agreements and contracts to ensure strong supplier coverage, business continuity, and value delivery across assigned categories.

As part of the broader Category Strategy & Sourcing organization, this role will work in close partnership with direct material sourcing leaders and managers to support integrated sourcing practices, commercial discipline, and business value delivery.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and execute strategic sourcing plans across assigned indirect spend categories, including MRO, Fleet, IT, Capital Projects, R&D, and Energy.
• Lead the implementation, negotiation, renewal, and extension of commercial agreements and contracts across assigned indirect spend areas.
• Ensure appropriate agreement coverage is in place to support ongoing business requirements, supplier performance expectations, and commercial risk management.
• Partner with stakeholders to define sourcing requirements and contract strategies that align with operational, technical, and financial objectives.
• Lead sourcing initiatives including supplier identification, RFIs, RFQs, RFPs, negotiations, supplier selection, and implementation.
• Manage supplier relationships and serve as the primary sourcing lead for assigned indirect categories and suppliers.
• Negotiate pricing, commercial terms, statements of work, and service agreements to improve value, reduce risk, and support business continuity.
• Conduct spend analysis, market intelligence, supplier benchmarking, and cost analysis to identify sourcing opportunities and strengthen competitiveness.
• Drive supplier performance across cost, service, quality, responsiveness, delivery, and contract compliance.
• Support capital project sourcing needs, including supplier engagement, commercial support, contract implementation, and agreement coordination.
• Support sourcing for site services, maintenance operations, energy-related requirements, fleet services, IT products and services, and R&D-related purchases.
• Identify and manage supply and supplier risks, including service continuity, contract gaps, supplier concentration, inflation, and operational disruption.
• Lead supplier business reviews, issue resolution, corrective actions, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Ensure agreements and supplier relationships comply with applicable corporate, legal, quality, and business requirements.

Your Skills and Expertise 

To set you up for success in this role from day one, 3M requires (at a minimum) the following qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree or higher (completed and verified prior to start)
• Five (5) years of experience in sourcing, category management, procurement, supply chain, operations, engineering, manufacturing, finance, or a related field in a private, public, government, or military environment

Additional qualifications that could help you succeed even further in this role include:

• Experience managing indirect spend categories such as MRO, Fleet, IT, Capital Projects, R&D, Energy, Facilities, or site services
• Experience implementing, renewing, extending, and managing supplier agreements, service agreements, and commercial contracts
• Experience negotiating contracts, statements of work, and commercial terms
• Experience supporting manufacturing sites or plant operations through indirect sourcing
• Strong strategic sourcing, supplier management, and contract management skills
• Experience conducting spend analysis, supplier assessments, market analysis, and cost improvement initiatives
• Ability to manage a broad portfolio of suppliers and business stakeholders across multiple spend categories
• Experience working in a manufacturing or highly regulated environment
• Strong analytical, project management, and problem-solving skills
• Strong cross-functional collaboration skills with Operations, Engineering, Finance, IT, Facilities, and R&D teams
• Proficiency in Excel based data analysis
• Strong written and verbal communication skills

Work location:

• Work location: This role follows an on-site working model in Monroe, NC

Travel: May include up to 10%

Relocation: May be authorized

Must be legally authorized to work in country of employment without sponsorship for employment visa status (e.g., H1B status).