Category Specialist - New Product Introduction (NPI)

Oshkosh•Murfreesboro, MN

About The Position

The Category Specialist – New Product Introduction (NPI) is an intermediate-level position within the Strategic Supply Chain organization responsible for supporting new product development, engineering changes, and successful product launches. This role serves as a key Supply Chain partner to Engineering, Program Management, Finance, Operations, Category Management, and Suppliers to ensure new and changed components are properly sourced, commercially established, and ready to support prototype and production requirements. This role requires the ability to operate effectively in a fast-paced environment, independently prioritize competing requirements, resolve supply chain issues, and drive cross-functional actions to closure.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree and three (3) or more years of experience in Supply Chain Management or a related field. OR an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Ability to travel 10-20%.
Proficiency in Microsoft Excel

Nice To Haves

Purchasing experience within the manufacturing industry.
Ability to effectively communicate.
Ability to work in a team environment.
Strong organizational skills with exceptional follow through and attention to detail.
Strong time-management and prioritization skills, able to multi-task and prioritize competing requirements and meet deadlines.
Ability to work in a fast-paced environment where requirements are constantly changing.
Experience and proficiency with various web-based software applications including Microsoft Office Word, Excel, PowerPoint, SharePoint, etc.

Responsibilities

Review Engineering Change Notices (ECNs) to understand technical requirements, supply chain impacts, sourcing needs, and appropriate ERP setup for new or changed components.
Execute sourcing activities including RFQs, quote analysis, supplier evaluation, and selection in coordination with applicable Category Management strategies.
Facilitate technical collaboration between Engineering and suppliers to ensure component manufacturability and conformance with engineering drawings.
Review, negotiate, and facilitate the procurement of capital tooling required to manufacture new or changed components, ensuring alignment on cost, timing.
Develop and execute supply plans supporting prototype, pre-production, and production launches, with particular focus on critical and long-lead-time components.
Identify and mitigate supplier lead-time risks that could impact product development or launch schedules.
Lead cross-functional problem-solving efforts expediting critical material and driving actions to closure when launch requirements are at risk.
Build effective working relationships across Engineering, Operations, Quality, Program Management, Category Management, Purchasing, and the external supply base to support successful product introductions.
Apply sound judgment, critical thinking, and project management skills to independently prioritize competing requirements, manage ambiguity, establish action plans, and communicate or escalate risks appropriately.
Identify process improvement opportunities and engage DT resources as needed to implement process changes to improve ERP data integrity and optimize the sourcing and change implementation processes.
Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, including the ability to organize, analyze, and interpret complex data sets to support sourcing decisions, project tracking, and supply chain analysis.