Senior Category Specialist - New Product Introduction
About The Position
The Senior Category Specialist is a senior-level role within the Supply Chain New Product Introduction (NPI) team supporting specialty truck manufacturing programs. This role functions as a working project leader responsible for ensuring supply chain readiness for new product launches, with a focus on cost, timing, and risk management. The role partners with Category Leaders and cross-functional teams to execute sourcing strategies, validate supplier readiness, and ensure alignment with program budgets and build milestones. While not a direct owner of category management, this position plays a key execution role in driving sourcing plans through to successful launch. This role uses data analysis, supply market intelligence, and supplier engagement to identify risks, resolve constraints, and support on-time, on-budget launches. It also provides monthly reporting to senior leadership on program status, risks, milestones, and supply chain readiness.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree and five (5) 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
- Category strategy 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
- Lead supply chain readiness activities for NPI and product launch programs.
- Serve as project lead for supply chain deliverables across assigned vehicle or product programs.
- Partner with Category Leaders to execute sourcing strategies aligned with cost, timing, and technical requirements.
- Coordinate cross-functional teams including Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality, Finance, Sales, and Materials.
- Track supply chain milestones to ensure alignment with program schedules and launch targets.
- Provide monthly leadership updates on program status, risks, milestones, and mitigation actions.
- Identify and mitigate supply chain risks impacting cost, quality, or timing.
- Support sourcing execution, including supplier selection support and RFx coordination.
- Assess supplier capability, capacity, and readiness for new product launches.
- Manage escalation and resolution of supplier-related risks and constraints.
- Support pricing validation and total cost of ownership (TCO) analysis with Category Leaders.
- Interpret engineering drawings and technical requirements to support sourcing decisions.
- Maintain part and program-level data integrity and taxonomy.
- Support supplier engagement activities including onboarding and launch readiness reviews.
- Ensure alignment between program budgets, sourcing decisions, and execution plans.
- Lead supply chain workstreams from concept through production launch.
- Participate in governance meetings and cross-functional launch reviews.
Benefits
- Competitive total rewards package
- People-first culture
- Various opportunities to support team member growth and success
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
