Category Specialist

We are partnering with a rapidly growing advanced manufacturing and technology organization to hire a Category Specialist for their team in the Greater Houston area. This onsite opportunity will play an important role in supplier engagement, sourcing execution, and cost improvement initiatives that support production, operational performance, and long-term business objectives across a global manufacturing network.

Responsibilities

• Lead sourcing activities including RFQ/RFP execution, supplier evaluations, bid reviews, and supplier selection processes.
• Support category management initiatives across direct materials, indirect procurement, capital equipment, and facilities-related spend.
• Develop and maintain supplier relationships to support cost, quality, delivery, and capacity goals.
• Conduct spend analysis, cost benchmarking, and total cost of ownership assessments to identify strategic sourcing opportunities.
• Support supplier negotiations, pricing discussions, and commercial agreements.
• Drive cost savings and continuous improvement initiatives across assigned categories.
• Partner with engineering, manufacturing, quality, finance, and supply chain teams to support new product introductions, production ramp-ups, and ongoing operational requirements.
• Monitor supplier performance, market trends, and supply risks while supporting mitigation and continuity planning efforts.
• Assist with supplier qualification, onboarding, performance management, and development programs.
• Maintain sourcing data, supplier metrics, and reporting to support category strategies and business decision-making.

Requirements

• 3+ years of experience in procurement, strategic sourcing, category management, supply chain, manufacturing, or a related function.
• Experience managing suppliers and sourcing initiatives within a manufacturing, industrial, technology, or electronics environment.
• Must be fluent in Mandarin.
• Background supporting at least one major spend category, including direct materials, indirect procurement, CAPEX equipment, or facilities-related sourcing.
• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Engineering, Business, Operations, or a related discipline.
• Experience collaborating with cross-functional teams to support sourcing and operational objectives.

Skills

• Mandarin Chinese Fluency: Professional fluency in Mandarin Chinese is required to support supplier communication and global sourcing activities.
• Category Management: Ability to support category strategies that improve supplier performance, reduce costs, and strengthen supply continuity.
• Supplier Relationship Management: Experience building productive supplier partnerships and driving accountability for service, quality, and delivery.
• Cost Analysis: Ability to assess pricing structures, benchmark market conditions, and identify savings opportunities.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Effective communicator with the ability to work across engineering, operations, manufacturing, finance, and quality teams.