Category Strategy Lead

At Oshkosh, we build, serve and protect people and communities around the world by designing and manufacturing some of the toughest specialty trucks and access equipment. We employ over 18,000 team members all united by a common purpose. Our engineering and product innovation help keep soldiers and firefighters safe, is critical in building and keeping communities clean and helps people do their jobs every day.

JOB SUMMARY:

The Senior Category Specialist role will be a senior level position within the supply chain category management and new product development functions. This role will engage in advanced data gathering, analytics, and manipulation. This role will frequently use internal and external data to provide category usage, trends and company/customer supply chain impact. The Senior Category Specialist will regularly conduct benchmarking, market intelligence and supply base research to identify and capture value for the business. This role leads one or more spend categories and may function as a working leader.

 ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:  

These duties are not meant to be all-inclusive and other duties may be assigned.

• Data gathering and information.
• Subject matter expert on spend category.
• Frequent use of data analytics tools to conduct spend and category data analytics.
• Advanced and independent critical thinking to formulate business cost/value opportunities within category/commodity.
• Knowledge of suppliers and supply markets.
• Knowledge of supplier relationships management and engagement.
• Understand supply market trends and how they impact the business.
• Interprets and understand engineering technical drawings.
• Responsible for part taxonomy.
• Understand category and connection of the global marketplace.
• Manage supplier engagement, preferencing and LTA/contracting strategies.
• Identify, communicate, and manage supply chain risk.
• Lead the validation and governance of category/commodity prices including total cost of ownership models.
• Advanced understanding of sourcing process/procedures; support and lead strategic sourcing initiatives.
• Lead through influence; utilize project management to lead and coordinate programs from concept through launch, and may lead or participate on council.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:  

• Bachelor’s degree and five (5) or more years of experience in Supply Chain Management or a related field.
• OR an equivalent combination of education and experience.

• Ability to travel 10-20%.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS: 

• Category strategy experience within the manufacturing industry.
• Ability to effectively communicate.
• Ability to work in a team environment.
• Strong organizational skills with exceptional follow through and attention to detail.
• Strong time-management and prioritization skills, able to multi-task and prioritize competing requirements and meet deadlines.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment where requirements are constantly changing.
• Experience and proficiency with various web-based software applications including Microsoft Office Word, Excel, PowerPoint, SharePoint, etc.