Category Associate

Oshkosh Corporation•Hagerstown, MD

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Category Associate role is an entry-level role within the Global Procurement & Supply Chain function and supports the advancement of sourcing pipeline management and strategic project execution across multiple categories and in support of the Total Cost Management operating model. The Category Associate will work closely with the Cost Management Program Manager to drive visibility, coordination, and execution across key initiatives. This role is ideal for a candidate with strong analytical skills and an interest in procurement, operations, and strategy. This position provides significant exposure to cross-functional teams and Senior Leadership, with opportunities to influence decision-making through data-driven insights and structured communication.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Business, Supply Chain Management, Project Management, Finance, Engineering, or a related field OR an equivalent combination of education and experience
Ability to travel up to 10-20%, including international

Nice To Haves

Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, especially Excel and PowerPoint
Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities independently and structure time effectively to drive impact across competing priorities
Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to tailer messaging across different stakeholder groups and seniority levels
Internship or previous experience in supply chain or program/project management
Experience supporting procurement, sourcing, or supply chain functions
Strong analytical skills with attention to detail
Ability to synthesize complex data into clear insights and recommendations
Experience with data visualization (e.g. Power BI) and project management tools (e.g. SmartSheets)
Demonstrated ability to work cross-functionally and manage global stakeholders across diverse backgrounds and organizational levels
Proven ability to take ownership of tasks and drive them through to completion
Highly proactive mindset, with a focus on identifying insights and communicating them effectively to inform decision-making
Strong time management and prioritization skills, with an impact-oriented approach to planning and execution

Responsibilities

Enable end-to-end visibility into the sourcing and cost management pipeline through structured project tracking and reporting
Elevate decision-making by delivering clear, data-driven insights to Category Management Teams and Senior Leadership
Improve cross-functional alignment across Global Procurement & Supply Chain and partner teams such as Engineering, Finance, Project Management, and Product Management
Proactively identify, escalate, and overcome risks to support on-time project delivery
Help enhance procurement processes, tools, and reporting capabilities
Support the Program Manager in tracking and managing sourcing pipeline projects across the global organization
Maintain and enhance project tracking tools to ensure visibility into timelines, milestones, risks, and deliverables
Develop and deliver report-outs and Executive-level presentations for Senior Leadership on sourcing pipeline progress
Analyze sourcing and project data to identify trends, risks, and opportunities, and proactively surface actionable insights to Category Management Teams and leadership
Coordinate cross-functional communication between Global Procurement & Supply Chain and partner teams (e.g. Engineering ,Operations, Finance, etc.)
Identify, track, and escalate project risks, bottlenecks, and dependencies to appropriate stakeholders
Support development of structured deliverables including PowerPoint presentations, Excel-based analyses, and written summaries
Demonstrate strong ownership of initiatives, independently driving progress across multiple workstreams and ensuring timely execution
Proactively manage upward communication, keeping stakeholders informed of progress, risks, and key insights