Senior Category Manager - Engineered Plastics
Ferguson · Newport News · $10,650–$17,325/month (stated in the posting)
Job Posting:
Since 1953, Ferguson has been a source of quality supplies for a variety of industries. Together We Build Better infrastructure, better homes and better businesses. We exist to make our customers’ complex projects simple, successful, and sustainable.
We proactively solve problems, adapt and grow to continuously serve our customers, communities and each other. Ferguson, a Fortune 500 company, is proud to provide best-in-class products, service, and capabilities across the following industries: Commercial/Mechanical, Facilities Supply, Fire and Fabrication, HVAC, Industrial, Residential Trade, Residential Building and Remodel, Waterworks and Residential Digital Commerce.
Ferguson has approximately 36,000 associates across 1,700 locations. Ferguson is a community of proud associates who operate with the shared purpose of building something meaningful. You will build a career that you are proud of, at a company you can believe in.
The Senior Category Manager - Engineered Plastics Solutions is a highly visible enterprise leadership role responsible for establishing and executing the long-term strategic vision for Ferguson's Engineered Plastics portfolio. This leader will serve as the organization's foremost authority on engineered plastics products, applications, technologies, market trends, and supplier strategies while driving profitable growth, market leadership, and operational excellence.
Success in this role requires exceptional executive presence, strong business acumen, deep technical expertise, and the ability to influence decisions across all levels of the organization. The ideal candidate is a strategic thinker, persuasive communicator, and respected leader who can effectively engage senior executives, suppliers, customers, and cross-functional stakeholders to achieve measurable business outcomes.
Location: This is a Hybrid role based out of a Ferguson Headquarters location in accordance with Ferguson's Flex schedule policy.
Strategic Leadership & Category Vision
- Develop and lead the enterprise-wide category strategy for Engineered Plastics Solutions, ensuring alignment with Ferguson's growth, profitability, customer experience, and market leadership objectives.
- Establish and communicate a compelling long-term vision for the category while balancing near-term performance and execution priorities.
- Identify emerging market opportunities, technology trends, competitive threats, and industry developments that influence category direction and investment decisions.
- Serve as a trusted advisor to senior leadership by providing strategic recommendations supported by market intelligence, customer insights, financial analysis, and industry expertise.
- Lead category transformation initiatives that improve competitive positioning, customer value, and shareholder returns.
Financial & Business Performance Leadership
- Own the category financial performance, including sales, gross margin, inventory productivity, supplier funding, and overall return on investment.
- Establish performance metrics and accountability measures that drive sustainable business results.
- Evaluate investments, growth opportunities, and portfolio decisions through rigorous financial analysis and strategic business planning.
- Present category performance, business risks, and growth strategies to executive leadership with confidence and credibility.
Supplier Strategy & Executive Relationship Management
- Lead executive-level supplier partnerships and negotiations, including strategic business planning, pricing agreements, rebate structures, growth initiatives, and long-term partnership development.
- Influence supplier investment strategies that support Ferguson's growth objectives and competitive differentiation.
- Identify, evaluate, and onboard new suppliers, technologies, and product solutions that strengthen Ferguson's market position.
- Resolve complex supplier-related business issues through collaboration, negotiation, and strategic problem-solving.
Technical Expertise & Market Leadership
- Serve as Ferguson's primary subject matter expert for engineered plastics products, applications, systems, market trends, regulatory developments, and emerging technologies.
- Provide technical leadership and strategic guidance to internal stakeholders, suppliers, and customers.
- Continuously evaluate product performance, market adoption, customer requirements, and competitive positioning to identify opportunities for innovation and growth.
- Represent Ferguson at industry associations, supplier councils, customer events, and trade organizations, enhancing Ferguson's reputation as a market leader.
Cross-Functional Leadership & Influence
- Lead and influence cross-functional teams across Supply Chain, Pricing, Operations, Inventory Management, Marketing, Customer Groups, Sales, and Finance.
- Drive alignment and accountability around category priorities, growth initiatives, inventory strategies, and customer-focused solutions.
- Partner with business leaders to improve product availability, demand planning accuracy, pricing effectiveness, and working capital performance.
- Support acquisition evaluations, supplier transitions, integration activities, and strategic business initiatives.
Communication & Executive Engagement
- Deliver compelling presentations, business reviews, and strategic recommendations to senior leadership, executive stakeholders, and supplier executives.
- Demonstrate exceptional verbal and written communication skills with the ability to simplify complex business and technical concepts for diverse audiences.
- Build credibility and influence through thoughtful communication, executive presence, and fact-based decision-making.
- Effectively lead discussions, facilitate alignment, and drive action among senior leaders and key stakeholders.
Talent Development & Leadership
- Lead, coach, and develop category management associates through mentoring, performance management, and succession planning.
- Foster a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, innovation, and collaboration.
- Build organizational capability by developing future leaders and strengthening category management best practices across the enterprise.
Preferred Qualifications & Experience
- 8+ years of progressive leadership experience in Category Management, Product Management, Strategic Sourcing, Supply Chain, Procurement, Commercial Leadership, or related business functions.
- Bachelor's degree in Business, Supply Chain, Engineering, Finance, Marketing, or a related discipline required; advanced degree preferred.
- Demonstrated success leading complex product categories within industrial, mechanical, construction, piping, engineered plastics, infrastructure, or related markets.
- Proven track record of developing and executing category strategies that deliver sustained sales growth, margin expansion, market share gains, and improved return on investment.
- Strong executive-level negotiation skills with experience managing strategic supplier partnerships and enterprise business agreements.
- Deep financial acumen with extensive experience managing category P&L performance and investment decisions.
- Exceptional strategic thinking, analytical problem-solving, and decision-making capabilities.
- Advanced understanding of engineered plastics products, applications, market dynamics, and customer requirements preferred.
- Outstanding presentation, communication, and executive engagement skills.
- Proven ability to influence without authority and successfully lead cross-functional business initiatives.
- Experience developing high-performing teams through coaching, mentoring, and leadership development.
- Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, Word, and business analytics tools.
- Willingness to travel as required to support strategic supplier, customer, and business objectives.
Leadership Expectations
The Senior Category Manager - Engineered Plastics Solutions is expected to operate as a highly influential enterprise leader who:
- Establishes a clear strategic vision and inspires alignment across the organization.
- Demonstrates strong executive presence and confidence when engaging senior leadership, suppliers, and customers.
- Combines deep technical expertise with strong commercial and financial acumen.
- Communicates with clarity, credibility, and influence in both written and verbal settings.
- Drives enterprise-wide decisions through collaboration, data-driven insights, and strategic leadership.
- Balances operational execution with long-term growth and innovation opportunities.
- Builds strong partnerships internally and externally to accelerate business performance.
- Develops talent, strengthens organizational capability, and fosters a culture of accountability and continuous improvement.
- Serves as a recognized industry leader and trusted advisor within Ferguson and across the marketplace.
At Ferguson, we care for each other and value well-being as much as hard work. We take a broad approach to benefits plans and programs that support the mental, physical, and financial health of our associates. Our competitive offering includes health, dental, vision, paid time off, life insurance, and a 401(k) with company match. Associates also receive meaningful and inclusive enhancements. These benefits adapt to diverse needs and include mental health coverage, gender-affirming and family-building benefits, paid parental leave, associate discounts, community involvement opportunities, and more.
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Pay Range:
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$10,649.70 - $17,325.00-
Estimated Ranges displayed are Monthly for Salaried roles OR Hourly for all other roles.
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This role is Bonus or Incentive Plan eligible.
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Ferguson complies with all wage regulations. The starting wage may be higher in certain locations based on local or state wage requirements.
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The Company is an equal opportunity employer as well as a government contractor that shall abide by the requirements of 41 CFR 60-300.5(a), which prohibits discrimination against qualified protected Veterans and the requirements of 41 CFR 60-741.5(A), which prohibits discrimination against qualified individuals on the basis of disability.
Ferguson Enterprises, LLC. is an equal employment employer F/M/Disability/Vet/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity.
Equal Employment Opportunity and Reasonable Accommodation Information