Head of Procurement - Direct Materials Americas

Hitachi•Pittsburgh, PA

12h•Onsite

About The Position

Hitachi Rail is looking for an enthusiastic self-motivated Head of Procurement - Direct Materials Americas who thrives in a fast-paced environment. The successful candidate is comfortable performing a wide range of tasks from administrative to strategic. The position is based in Pittsburgh, PA.

Requirements

At least 15 years of progressive experience in direct procurement, strategic sourcing, or commodity management—often within manufacturing, homebuilding, or tech industries.
Strong financial acumen with proven ability to interpret contracts, utilize should-cost analysis, and manage complex supply agreements.
Proficiency in supply chain and ERP software such as SAP, Oracle, or advanced MS Excel.
Exceptional leadership, change management, and interpersonal communication skills to effectively manage relationships with C-suite executives and external suppliers.
Bachelor's Degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, Engineering, Accounting, or a related field

Nice To Haves

Member of Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply (CIPS), or Institute of Supply Management (CPSM, or CPM) or another appropriate professional institute or relevant experience.
MBA is preferred

Responsibilities

Develop and execute long-term category strategies for direct materials to drive cost savings, optimize supplier performance, and secure favorable pricing.
Align procurement strategies with engineering and design teams early on to foster supplier involvement, improve timeline efficiency, and manage risk-buy readiness.
Conduct Quarterly Business Reviews (QBRs), negotiate complex contract terms, and resolve supplier performance issues through root-cause analysis.
Develop "should-cost" models, monitor market intelligence, and create resiliency plans to proactively address material shortages, lead times, and single-source vulnerabilities.
Partner with operations, finance, and commercial teams to forecast material costs, manage budgets, and align category strategies with broader corporate targets.
Coach and mentor junior category managers or sourcing specialists, building departmental capability and driving succession planning.
Manage the performance of 7 or 8 direct reports, conducting regular 1:1 meetings, coaching and mentoring personal development, and provide constructive feedback through appraisals.