Sr Category Specialist - Direct Materials

Michelman•Deer Park, OH

5d•Onsite

About The Position

The Senior Category Specialist, Direct Materials supports the execution of the direct category management strategy across assigned materials, suppliers, or sub-categories. This role operates with a higher degree of independence and commercial accountability, leading defined sourcing, supplier evaluation, qualification, engagement, and performance management activities within a delegated scope. The role is responsible for executing work across more complex or business-critical suppliers and materials, serving as a developmental bridge between category support and full category ownership.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Engineering, Chemistry, Business, or a related field required.
5–7+ years of experience in procurement, sourcing, or supply chain, preferably within a global manufacturing environment.
Demonstrated experience supporting or leading sourcing events, supplier negotiations, supplier engagement, and procurement operations within indirect categories.
Experience supporting cost and value improvement through sourcing, supplier engagement, pricing reviews, and commercial discipline.
Proven ability to work cross-functionally with stakeholders across Supply Chain, Operations, Engineering, Finance, IT, HR, Facilities, R&D, or Commercial teams.
Experience operating within structured procurement environments, including familiarity with procurement channels, policies, sourcing thresholds, approval limits, and standard processes.
Working knowledge of supplier performance and risk considerations, with the ability to partner effectively with supplier risk and performance functions.
Experience with procurement systems and tools, including ERP platforms, catalogues, spend analytics, and supplier data management; JDE experience preferred.
Strong analytical capability with the ability to interpret data and translate insights into practical sourcing and procurement actions.

Nice To Haves

JDE experience preferred.

Responsibilities

Execute defined elements of the direct category management strategy across assigned materials, suppliers, or sub-categories with greater autonomy.
Lead moderate to high complexity sourcing events, supplier evaluation, qualification, negotiations and commercial discussions within delegated authority.
Develop and execute sourcing plans for assigned suppliers or spend segments in alignment with supply planning, material requirements, and business priorities.
Ensure procurement activities for assigned suppliers are aligned with MRP, supply plans, and inventory strategies established by Supply Chain.
Monitor raw material market trends, supplier developments, and pricing changes relevant to assigned materials and suppliers. Make calculated risk assessments and advise actions for manager consideration.
Partner with Procurement Excellence to ensure supplier data and supporting processes enable effective execution.
Establish and manage supplier contracts to achieve commercial and performance targets.
Lead defined category activities for assigned suppliers or materials, directly supporting supplier engagement, sourcing execution, supplier qualification and issue resolution.
Understand raw material cost drivers, including feedstock trends, index movements, freight, duties, FX, and supplier margin structures, to support fact-based negotiation and cost management of the category.
Partner with Supply Chain to align procurement activities with demand forecasts, production plans, and inventory strategies.
Collaborate with R&D and Project Leads to ensure supplier activity aligns with material specifications, commercial needs and product requirements.
Identify and execute cost and value improvement opportunities within assigned materials or suppliers, operating with greater independence and judgment.
Support business continuity by identifying, addressing, and escalating supply risks, constraints, and supplier issues as appropriate.
Support new business (Concept to Commercialization – C2C and First Manufacturing Batch - FMB) and existing business continuity by proactively addressing supply risks, constraints, and disruptions.
Serve as relationship owner for assigned suppliers within the direct category portfolio, maintaining regular engagement and supporting performance management activities.
Execute the supplier relationship management framework for assigned suppliers, including segmentation, engagement expectations, and supplier review practices.
Lead supplier business reviews for assigned suppliers, focusing on service, quality, cost, responsiveness, and capacity.
Develop and maintain productive supplier relationships that support continuity of supply and category effectiveness.
Escalate supplier issues, relationship concerns, or performance risks consistent with established frameworks and decision protocols.
Actively participate in supplier performance reviews, corrective action tracking, and remediation planning for assigned suppliers.
Partner with Supplier Risk and Performance Management to ensure consistent application of supplier qualification, segmentation, performance measurement, and remediation processes.
Monitor supplier performance, service levels, and emerging risk indicators for assigned suppliers.
Lead supplier audits, corrective action plans, and follow-through activities for assigned suppliers.
Balance supplier decisions across cost, service, and risk within delegated authority and exercise greater judgment before escalating issues that exceed established thresholds.
Support consistent adoption of standard procurement processes across sites and functions, helping reduce maverick spend and improve channel compliance.
Lead resolution of operational procurement issues, including supplier setup, purchase order delays, catalogue or pricing errors, invoice discrepancies, and process non-compliance.
Monitor operational indicators such as channel compliance, PO cycle time, catalogue usage, supplier onboarding, maverick spend, and stakeholder service levels within assigned scope.
Provide practical guidance and informal coaching to buyers or site-based procurement resources supporting indirect procurement activities, ensuring alignment with category strategies, procurement policies, and best practices.
Partner with Procurement Excellence to ensure procurement channels, processes, and supporting data enable effective execution of the indirect category strategy.
Maintain visibility into indirect spend, supplier performance, and sourcing activity within assigned scope, using data and market intelligence to support decision-making and identify opportunities for improvement.
Support compliance with procurement policies, approved channels, and supplier master data standards within the indirect category portfolio.
Contribute to continuous improvement of category processes, sourcing practices, and stakeholder engagement models to improve efficiency, effectiveness, and business satisfaction.
Support development of a disciplined, professional procurement culture through collaboration, process consistency, and strong execution within the indirect category portfolio.