Category Specialist / Category Buyer

Reports To: Head, Category Management

Job Summary

• Support the execution of category strategies by delivering sourcing events, managing supplier performace, and ensuring efficient, compliant, and value-driven procurement operations aligned with business requirements.
• Act as an operational procurement partner to stakeholders, ensuring timely delivery, cost efficiency, and adherence to category strategies and contracts.

Scope of Responsibility

• Execute sourcing and procurement activities across assigned sub-categories or spend areas
• Manage supplier interactions and transactional/commercial execution
• Support contract implementation and compliance
• Ensure alignment with Category Strategy and procurement policies

Key Duties and Responsibilities

Category Strategy Execution & Planning Support:

• Support Category Lead in executing category strategies and sourcing plans
• Conduct spend analysis, demand tracking, and basic market research
• Maintain category data, supplier lists, and sourcing pipelines
• Identify and escalate value opportunities (cost savings, demand optimization)

Strategic Sourcing Execution:

• Execute sourcing events (RFI, RFQ, RFP) in line with category strategy
• Prepare RFx documentation, evaluation models, and commercial comparisons
• Support negotiations with suppliers (pricing, terms, delivery)
• Ensure sourcing processes are compliant, transparent, and documented

Supplier & Contract Management:

• Manage day-to-day supplier interactions and communication
• Track supplier performance (delivery, quality, SLA adherence)
• Support supplier onboarding, qualification, and documentation
• Monitor contract compliance and flag deviations

Stakeholder Engagement & Support:

• Act as first point of contact for operational procurement request
• Translate stakeholder needs into sourcing requirements
• Ensure timely processing of procurement requests and purchase orders
• Support demand control by challenging non-compliant or unnecessary requests

Risk, Compliance & Governance:

• Ensure compliance with procurement policies, procedures, and approvals
• Identify and escalate supply risks (delivery delays, supplier issues, contract gaps)
• Maintain proper documentation for audit and compliance purposes
• Support supplier due diligence and governance processes

Performance Tracking & Reporting:

• Track sourcing savings, cost avoidance, and delivery performance
• Maintain procurement dashboards and reports
• Monitor key KPIs (OTIF, cycle time, compliance, savings delivery)
• Provide regular updates to Category Lead and stakeholders

Demand Management & Specification Support:

• Support demand planning and validation of purchase requests
• Ensure specifications align with approved standards and contracts
• Identify opportunities for standardization and consumption control
• Escalate opportunities for value engineering

Procurement Operations & Process Excellence:

• Execute purchase orders and ensure timely order placement
• Manage end-to-end PR-to-PO process
• Maintain data accuracy in procurement systems (ERP)
• Drive process improvements (cycle time, efficiency, compliance)

Continuous Improvement & Capability Development:

• Build knowledge of sourcing processes, supplier markets, and commercial practices
• Support digital procurement tools and analytics adoption
• Participate in process improvement and cost optimization initiatives

Safety, Sustainability & ESG Compliance:

• Ensure suppliers comply with HSE and ESG requirements
• Support responsible sourcing and ethical procurement practices
• Monitor and report supplier compliance issues
• Perform other tasks and duties as assigned by the line manager

Education and Work Experience

• Bachelor's degree in supply chain, Business, Engineering, or related field
• 3 - 8 years' experience in procurement, sourcing, or supply chain roles
• Professional certification (CIPS, CPSM, etc.) is an advantage
• Experience supporting sourcing events and supplier management
• Familiarity with procurement systems and processes

Functional Competencies:

• Sourcing Execution & RFx Management
• Basic Commercial Negotiation
• Supplier Coordination & Performance Tracking
• Contract Compliance Monitoring
• Spend Analysis & Reporting
• Procurement Process Execution.

Digital Competencies:

• ERP systems (SAP)
• Excel and basic data analysis
• Spend analytics tools (user level)
• E-sourcing tools.

Behavioral Competencies:

• Commercial awareness
• Stakeholder collaboration
• Problem-solving
• Attention to detail
• Communication skills
• High integrity and professionalism.