Procurement Category Specialist
Job Title
PROCUREMENT CATEGORY SPECIALIST
Department
PROCUREMENT
Reports To
VP, GLOBAL PROCUREMENT
Flsa Status
EXEMPT
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Job Summary
As a Category Specialist for Electronics, specializing in wiring harnesses, electrical switches, and motors, you will be responsible for strategically managing the sourcing and activities within these specific electronic categories for our sites in Greenville, SC, St Louis, Vancouver, Toronto, and Mexico. This role involves developing and executing category strategies, negotiating contracts, and collaborating with internal stakeholders and suppliers to ensure the timely and cost-effective acquisition of high-quality electronic components.
You will be based in our Greenville SC site, and you will also be the single point of contact on site for all engineering changes, seeing projects for all categories through to completion, calling on support from experts from other categories as/when required.
This role forms part of a global procurement team with global suppliers, so international travel is likely.
You will be experienced in drafting and negotiating supplier agreements. You will also be able to read and challenge technical drawings.
Essential Duties And Functions
• Develop and implement comprehensive category strategies for, wiring harnesses, electrical switches and motors, aligning with overall business objectives
• Early involvement in all projects: research/product development, product lifecycle including engineering changes from handover from R&D to implementation.
• Ensure early involvement of suppliers in projects. Comparing costs to objectives, ensuring quality and on time delivery
• Send RFQ’s to AVL and ensure offers are compared to should cost analysis
• Source new suppliers as and when necessary
• Negotiate contracts, terms, and conditions with suppliers to achieve cost savings, quality improvements, and favorable payment terms.
• Monitor Purchase Price Variance for site and report on monthly
• Create and monitor supplier commercial KPI’s
• Monthly project and cost down activities reporting
• Keep up to date on any changes that may affect supply and demand of products and materials, keeping colleagues informed
• Conduct market research to identify trends, pricing dynamics, and emerging technologies within the electronics industry.
• Support Quality Policy and Quality System. Following standard change control procedures, propose changes to existing procedures to improve quality, process, or reduce cost.
• Investigate inventory variances to find root cause and implement corrective actions
• Ensure procedures are followed and that recommended changes are approved per standard procedures prior to implementation.
• Perform other duties as assigned by management.
Supervisory Responsibilities
• None
Competencies
• Ability to respond quickly to changing responsibilities and processes.
• Team Oriented
• Effectively communicate with all levels of management
• Solid analytical skills.
• Committed to finding solutions to problems.
• Results-oriented with a focus on meeting organizational requirements.
• Exhibits sound and accurate judgment.
• Supports and upholds the organization’s goals and values.
• Works with integrity.
• Observe safety and security procedures.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook is required.
Behaviors
Savaria’s mission is to provide products to improve mobility and access in daily life, so it’s important that all associates embrace this and ensure that they keep our customers at the heart of everything they do, acting in the spirit of our Savaria values all the time:
• Safety – We are committed to protecting the health and well-being of customers, the public, and our people.
• Quality – We aspire to deliver quality products and services that are right the first time.
• Customer passion – What we do makes a difference, and we work with passion to do the best for our customers.
• Collaboration – We encourage collaboration to generate ideas and innovation and value clear and open communication to create strong teamwork.
• Expertise – Our knowledge and experience have made us industry leaders, and we actively support continuous learning for future growth.
Language Skills
• Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from managers, clients, customers, and the general public.
Education, Experience & Training
• Previous experience working in engineering/manufacturing / medical device industry
• Minimum 3 years’ experience in Category Management/Strategic Purchasing
• Ability to manage across a matrix structure, delivering results through multiple departments and teams
• Excellent organizational and project management skills
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to deliver impactful and relevant presentations
• Good commercial awareness, with the ability to translate technical information to a broad audience
• A proven decision maker, with good judgement and the ability to make quick decisions when needed, as well as take time when that is more appropriate
• Lean Manufacturing Experience
• Experience of working in a regulated environment, e.g., (CFR21, ISO13485)
• A relevant engineering/manufacturing-related degree level qualification would be preferred
WORK ENVIRONMENT/PHYSICAL DEMANDS
• Individuals may sit or stand as needed. The position may require walking and/or climbing stairs periodically throughout the day, reaching above shoulder heights or below the waist, or lifting as required to file documents or store materials throughout the workday. On occasion, this may include lifting up to 25 pounds for files, boxes, etc. Proper lifting techniques are required.
• Primary environment: ambient room temperatures, lighting, and traditional office equipment as found in a typical office environment. The performance of this position may occasionally require exposure to the manufacturing areas where the use of personal protective equipment such as safety glasses with side shields and fully enclosed shoes (no open toe or heel) is required.
Note: Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time, with or without notice.
AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EEO STATEMENT
Savaria provides equal employment opportunities and consideration to all qualified employees and applicants, including disabled individuals and veterans.
Manufacturing
Marketing and Sales
Full-time