Senior Category Manager - UniFirst First Aid + Safety

UniFirst First Aid + Safety is seeking a reliable and hardworking Senior Category Manager to join our community. As a Senior Category Manager, you will be responsible for overseeing key import categories, with a strong focus on textile-based products, and leadership of category planning and buying activities. This role plays a pivotal part in UniFirst First Aid + Safety Supply Chain transformation and will be instrumental in enhancing sourcing strategies, supplier performance, and cross-functional collaboration across the First Aid + Safety business unit. Our standard is a 5-day work week, enjoy two days off a week. We have an immediate opening and provide on the job training.

Pay & Benefits:

On-the-job training + 401K with Company Match, Profit Sharing, Health Insurance, Employee Assistance Program, Life Insurance, Paid Time Off, Direct Payroll Deposit, Tuition Reimbursement, 30% Employee Discount, Employee Referral Bonuses.

What’s in it for you?

Training: With the most in-depth training platform in the industry, our employees get top quality skills training designed to enhance their performance and assist them with their career potential and advancement.

Career Mobility: We’re a growing company offering significant avenues for personal development and growth. Some companies like to promote from within, we love to!

Technology: UniFirst’s many cutting edge sales tools and innovative programs are designed with one purpose in mind – to help you succeed.

Community Culture: Our unique community culture is what makes UniFirst an organization that stands out from the rest.

Diversity: At UniFirst, you'll find an environment packed with different cultures, personalities, and backgrounds because we know it takes many kinds of people to make us successful.

What you’ll be doing: 

• Own and lead strategic sourcing, planning, and buying for direct spend categories within the First Aid & Safety division.

• Serve as product and sourcing expert, managing global supplier relationships and ensuring alignment with UniFirst’s procurement strategy.

• Develop and execute holistic category plans including forecasting, supplier selection, negotiation, and performance management.

• Conduct market research to identify trends, cost-saving opportunities, and new sourcing channels to remain competitive.

• Negotiate and manage vendor contracts, pricing, and risk mitigation terms.

• Partner cross-functionally with Legal, Compliance, Logistics, and Field Operations to ensure sourcing aligns with company goals and policies.

• Oversee forecasting, buying strategies, and inventory optimization levels to be in line with sales projections and national account requirements.

• Lead Quarterly Business Reviews (QBRs) and supplier reviews to evaluate KPIs, pricing, service levels, drive continuous improvement and cost efficiency. Monitoring monthly Profit & Losses (P&L) performance to align results with financial accuracy.

• Conduct annual and quarterly RFQs for core programs to secure competitive pricing and cost savings.

• Supervise, train, and mentor Buyer/Planner and support staff within the First Aid & Safety Procurement team, fostering a culture of collaboration, continuous improvement, and accountability. 

• Support recruiting, onboarding, and professional development of team members; providing guidance and hands-on support.

• Partner with internal stake holders to ensure alignment of sourcing plans with business needs and to maintain consistency in reporting, strategy, and execution.

• Provide regular category performance updates to senior management and support ongoing process improvement initiatives.

• Performs other duties and responsibilities as may be reasonably required by the Manager and Supervisor.

What we’re looking for:

• Must be 18 years of age or older.
• Valid non-commercial driver’s license and safe driving record.
• 5+ years of category management, sourcing, or procurement experience.
• Bachelor’s Degree required (Marketing, Business, Supply Chain, or related field).

• CPM or CPSM preferred.

• 5+ years of category management, sourcing, or procurement experience.
• Background in First Aid, Safety, PPE, apparel, or industrial supply preferred.
• Experience leading a team, managing planning and buying functions.

• International sourcing and textile import experience required.

• Strong vendor negotiation and supplier relationship management skills.
• High proficiency in Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, and ERP systems (Oracle, SAP, etc.)
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management capabilities.
• Proven track record of cost savings, efficiency improvements, and supplier performance enhancement.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and project management skills.

• Ability to travel as needed (vendor visits, trade shows, UniFirst sites).

• Ability to lift and carry 60 lbs.

About UniFirst First Aid + Safety

UniFirst First Aid + Safety is a division of the UniFirst Corporation. UniFirst First Aid + Safety is one of the largest providers of First Aid, AEDs, Compliance Training, Safety and PPE products in the United States.  Businesses such as manufacturing, office buildings, retail, construction, logistics, automotive, and government agencies, are just a few examples of our current customer base. We are part of a $70 million division within a $1.8 billion company.   

UniFirst is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate in hiring or employment against any individual on the basis of race, color, gender, national origin, ancestry, religion, physical or mental disability, age, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, pregnancy, citizenship, or any other factor protected by anti-discrimination laws.