Category Specialist

About the role

The Category Specialist will join Hitachi Energy's business in Dammam, Saudi Arabia, supporting supply chain management (SCM) strategies and ensuring material availability, delivery performance, and cost competitiveness.

Key responsibilities

• Implement and adhere to SCM strategies and processes to guarantee material availability, delivery performance, and cost competitiveness.
• Lead the procurement process for defined material groups, achieving timely availability, cost savings, quality, and service‑level objectives.
• Support the development and implementation of regional and global sourcing strategies while managing supplier performance.
• Design and implement plans for local sources to meet business targets.
• Drive global SCM initiatives, monitor performance, and track key performance indicators (KPIs).
• Identify and select suppliers, develop sourcing concepts, conduct make‑or‑buy analyses, cost scenarios, and assess new materials.
• Coordinate and execute sourcing strategies, including supplier analysis, evaluation, audit, and ongoing monitoring.
• Manage contract frameworks, recommend frame agreements, and provide market information to bid and proposal teams.
• Conduct strategic sourcing activities for projects, new product development, early supplier involvement, and design‑to‑cost initiatives.
• Leverage the Continuous Improvement Process Sourcing (CIPS) to enhance operational excellence and supplier performance.
• Oversee supplier performance (on‑time delivery, quality, lead time) and resolve performance issues.
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders such as engineering, planning, and fulfillment to secure material availability in production.

Required profile

• Proven experience in procurement and supply chain management.
• Experience developing and implementing regional or global sourcing strategies.
• Ability to manage supplier performance, contracts, and frame agreements.
• Experience collaborating with internal functions like engineering, planning, and fulfillment.

Required skills