Innovations Manager Jobs in Iowa (NOW HIRING)

Are you a strategic sourcing professional who enjoys building supplier partnerships, developing category strategies, and creating value across a manufacturing organization? Do you thrive in roles where you can influence business decisions, improve supplier performance, and drive results through collaboration?

If you answered yes ... we should talk!

ASSA ABLOY is seeking a Category Manager to support procurement and sourcing initiatives across North America. This position will play a key role in developing and executing category strategies across assigned procurement categories, which may include Door Core, direct materials, indirect spend, services, and other categories as business needs evolve.

This role will be based 100% on-site out of our one of the following locations our Mesquite, Texas Service Center, our Ceco brand located in Milan, Tennessee, our Curries brand located in Mason City, Iowa, or our new office in Paramus, New Jersey slated to open this fall.

Come see who we are at: https://www.assaabloy.com/group/en/about-us 

What you will do as our Category Manager? 

As the primary commercial owner and subject matter expert for assigned categories, you will partner with Operations, Engineering, Finance, Quality, Safety, and Procurement teams to drive cost, quality, delivery, supplier performance, risk management, and overall business value.

You will also:

• Develop and execute category and sourcing strategies aligned with business objectives.
• Analyze spend, market conditions, supplier capabilities, and cost drivers to identify opportunities for value creation and risk reduction.
• Lead supplier sourcing activities, including supplier qualification, RFx processes, proposal evaluation, negotiations, and implementation.
• Evaluate new suppliers, products, materials, and technologies that support innovation and operational performance.
• Negotiate commercial agreements while balancing cost, quality, delivery, risk, and operational requirements.
• Manage supplier relationships, business reviews, and performance improvement initiatives.
• Support supply continuity, supplier development, alternative sourcing strategies, and risk mitigation efforts.
• Stay current on market trends, emerging technologies, and industry best practices within assigned categories.
• Promote sourcing discipline, preferred supplier utilization, and compliance with procurement standards and company policies.
• Leverage data analytics, automation, and AI-enabled tools to improve decision-making and business outcomes.
• Champion a safe work environment and ensure compliance with company policies, sourcing standards, regulatory requirements, and the ASSA ABLOY Code of Conduct.

The skills and experience you need

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Business, Engineering, Operations Management, Finance, or related field; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• 3+ years of experience in procurement, category management, supply chain, operations, engineering, manufacturing, or a related field.
• Experience managing procurement categories within a manufacturing environment, including direct materials, indirect spend, manufacturing inputs, or services.
• Experience developing sourcing strategies, leading supplier negotiations, and managing supplier performance.
• Strong commercial, analytical, negotiation, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to influence stakeholders and collaborate effectively across functions and organizational levels.
• Experience working within a multi-site and/or matrixed manufacturing environment.
• Strong project management and prioritization skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and demonstrated aptitude for leveraging data analytics, automation, and AI-enabled solutions.
• Ability to travel up to 40%, including domestic and international travel.

Preferred Qualifications

• MBA, CPSM, CPM, CSCP, APICS certification, or other relevant business, procurement, or supply chain credentials.

This position may be staffed at an alternative level within the job family to align with the selected candidate's skills, experience, and business needs.

We review applications regularly, so don't wait!

We are building diverse, inclusive teams, and encourage applications from everyone who can see themselves working with us.

To make sure your personal data is safe, we don't look at any applications sent by email or post.

If you have any questions about the role or the process, email Stephanie Mandato, Senior Talent Acquisition Manager at Stephanie.mandato@assaabloy.com

Let's create a safer and more open world - together!

AADG, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Minorities/Females/Disabled/Veteran

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We are the ASSA ABLOY Group
Our people have made us the global leader in access solutions. In return, we open doors for them wherever they go. With nearly 63,000 colleagues in more than 70 different countries, we help billions of people experience a more open world. Our innovations make all sorts of spaces - physical and virtual - safer, more secure, and easier to access. 

As an employer, we value results - not titles, or backgrounds. We empower our people to build their career around their aspirations and our ambitions - supporting them with regular feedback, training, and development opportunities. Our colleagues think broadly about where they can make the most impact, and we encourage them to grow their role locally, regionally, or even internationally.

As we welcome new people on board, it's important to us to have diverse, inclusive teams, and we value different perspectives and experiences.