Category Specialist - Inceed

Compensation: $100,000.00 - $130,000.00

Location: Houston, TX

Position: Category Specialist

Inceed has partnered with a great company to help find a skilled Category Specialist to join their team!

Our client is seeking a Category Specialist with a strong background in MRO (Maintenance, Repair, and Operations) and Indirect Procurement. The ideal candidate will have proven expertise in developing and executing category strategies, delivering significant cost savings, and managing relationships with key suppliers and stakeholders.

Responsibilities:

• Category Strategy Development: Create and execute end-to-end category strategies to optimize procurement processes and maximize cost efficiencies.
• Cost Savings: Achieve a minimum of 10% cost savings on managed spend through effective category management and strategic sourcing initiatives.
• Supplier Relationship Management: Build and maintain strong relationships with local, regional, and national distributors/suppliers to ensure competitive pricing and high service levels.
• Stakeholder Management: Collaborate with key stakeholders across the organization to gain buy-in and support for category strategies, ensuring alignment with business objectives.
• Supplier Performance: Oversee supplier performance, negotiate contracts, and ensure adherence to agreed terms and conditions.
• Category Management: Manage procurement categories with an annual spend of $30M or more, ensuring optimal supplier relationships and cost management.

Required Qualifications & Experience:

• Minimum of 5 years of experience in category management, procurement, or strategic sourcing roles.
• Strong background in MRO (Direct) and Indirect Procurement in a category manager, principal, or specialist role.
• Proven ability to work with distributors and suppliers at local, regional, or national levels.
• Demonstrated success in delivering significant cost savings in previous roles.
• Experience in supplier relationship management and stakeholder engagement.
• Strong leadership, communication, and negotiation skills.

Nice to Have Skills & Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Supply Chain, or a related field is preferred. Professional certifications in procurement or supply chain management are a plus.
• Experience with large-scale procurement operations and managing high-value categories.
• Strong analytical skills and the ability to influence decision-making at various organizational levels.

Perks & Benefits:

• Competitive salary and benefits package
• Opportunity to work in a dynamic and growth-oriented environment

If you are interested in learning more about the Category Specialist opportunity, please submit your resume for consideration. Our client unable to provide sponsorship at this time.

We are Inceed, a staffing direct placement firm who believes in the possibility of something better. Our mission is simple” We’re here to help every person, whether client, candidate, or employee, find and secure what’s better for them.

Inceed is an equal opportunity employer. Inceed prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type and affords equal employment opportunities to employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

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