Senior Category Specialist

National Gypsum Company•Charlotte, NC

6h•Hybrid

About The Position

National Gypsum Services Company has an immediate opening for a Sr. Category Specialist at our Charlotte, NC location. This position will report to the Senior Category Manager. Job Summary: The Sr. Category Specialist plays a key role in supporting and advancing strategic sourcing initiatives across assigned categories. This position serves as a developmental role for future Category Managers, offering increased responsibility in supplier engagement, category strategy development, and cross-functional collaboration. The ideal candidate will bring strong analytical capabilities, procurement experience, and a desire to grow into a leadership role within the procurement function.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Supply Chain, or related field; equivalent experience or advanced degrees may be considered.
3–5 years of procurement or supply chain experience, preferably in manufacturing or industrial sectors.
Experience with ERP systems (SAP preferred), PowerBI, and Microsoft Office Suite.
Strong analytical, communication, and problem-solving skills.
Willingness to travel domestically up to 15%.

Nice To Haves

Certified Purchasing Professional (CPP) or similar certification preferred.

Responsibilities

Category Strategy Development & Execution: Support the creation and implementation of category strategies to drive value and ensure supply continuity.
Conduct spend analysis, market research, and supplier risk assessments.
Assist in developing sourcing strategies and leading smaller sourcing events.
Supplier Relationship Management: Build and maintain relationships with key suppliers.
Monitor supplier performance using KPIs (delivery, quality, cost) and identify improvement opportunities.
Participate in supplier negotiations and contract discussions under guidance from Category Managers.
Data Analysis & Insights: Analyze procurement data to identify trends, risks, and opportunities.
Provide actionable insights to support strategic decision-making.
Process & Contract Management: Maintain and update purchasing contracts and outline agreements.
Contribute to process improvement initiatives across procurement operations.
Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work closely with internal stakeholders to understand business needs and align procurement strategies.
Support commercialization efforts for new product categories.
Professional Development: Engage in mentorship and training to prepare for future Category Manager responsibilities.
Lead small projects or initiatives with increasing autonomy.
Other duties as assigned.