Category Specialist

About the position

The Category Specialist role is an intermediate level position within the supply chain category management and new product development functions. This role will support the organization by gathering and manipulating spend and commodity data in support of sourcing strategies and category management. The Category Specialist will develop category research using internal and external data, interpret data and trends and translate into opportunities for value capture. This role may also lead sub-categories.

Responsibilities

• Data gathering and manipulation.
• Knowledge of data analytics tools; data analytics in a specific commodity/category.
• Critical thinking skills forming to connect the category data to the business.
• Knowledge of suppliers and supply markets.
• Knowledge of supplier relationships management and engagement.
• Understand supply market trends and how they impact the business.
• Skill for engineering technical drawings understanding, taxonomy and technical grammar.
• Gain an understanding of category the global market place.
• Assist and lead long-term agreement negotiations.
• Identify and communicate supply chain risk.
• Understand and communicate category/commodity prices including total cost of ownership models.
• Support strategic sourcing initiatives, with development understanding of strategic sourcing process.
• Regularly use influencing skills; utilizes project management to lead and coordinate programs from concept through launch and may be participant on council.

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%.

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.

Benefits

• Competitive total rewards package.
• Professional development and training opportunities.
• People-first culture.