Procurement Category Specialist

Job Description

Title : Procurement Category Specialist

Location : Maplewood, MN | Hybrid - Onsite 4 days per week

Job Type : Contract (Potential to convert to a full-time employee after six months)

Compensation : $45-50/hr W2

Industry: Manufacturing


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About the Role
Our staffing firm is partnering with a global, innovation-driven manufacturing company to identify a Procurement Category Specialist for a hybrid contract opportunity. This organization is known for developing products used across industrial, transportation, safety, and consumer markets, with a strong focus on research, manufacturing excellence, and solving complex operational challenges.
In this role, you will support procurement strategy and supplier management across key categories, with a focus on cost reduction, supplier performance, contract negotiations, and process improvement. The ideal candidate brings strong sourcing and procurement experience within a manufacturing environment and is comfortable partnering with cross-functional stakeholders to drive business results.
This is a hybrid position requiring four days onsite and one remote day on Fridays, working core business hours Monday through Friday. The role is expected to begin as soon as possible, and there is potential for conversion to a full-time employee after six months. Job Description
As the Procurement Category Specialist, you will play a key role in managing procurement activities and supplier relationships across assigned categories. Responsibilities include:

• Lead cost reduction negotiations and develop cost-effective supplier agreements
• Provide category ownership across multiple business units and divisions
• Support procurement strategy for filing and chemical services, third-party manufacturing, and hard goods
• Drive supplier consolidation efforts while helping achieve cost savings and working capital goals
• Identify and implement opportunities to reduce total product and process costs
• Lead supplier selection activities and serve as a primary point of contact for external suppliers
• Manage complex supplier relationships and support successful new product introduction launches
• Develop and implement solutions related to dual sourcing, category strategy, supplier management, and supply continuity
• Analyze procurement data and metrics to identify process improvements that enhance service, speed, and cost efficiency
• Collaborate cross-functionally with teams including manufacturing, research and development, marketing, finance, business leadership, and supply chain operations
• Negotiate and implement agreements supporting complex supply relationships, including vendor-managed inventory, consigned materials, formula-based pricing, feedstocks, indices, and Tier II analysis
• Manage multiple internal and external stakeholders across complex procurement initiatives

Qualifications

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or a related field from an accredited institution
• 7+ years of sourcing and procurement experience in an engineering and/or manufacturing environment
• 5+ years of experience driving cost savings, cash savings, and contract negotiations with suppliers, stakeholders, account managers, and business decision-makers
• Experience working with contract manufacturers, third-party manufacturers, or service providers in a long-term procurement capacity
• Experience supporting procurement activities within a manufacturing or production site
• Strong contract negotiation and project management skills
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to collaborate effectively with stakeholders at all levels of an organization
• Demonstrated initiative, ownership, and a proactive approach to problem-solving
• Financial acumen with experience using business analytics, pricing tools, SAP, and contract management systems

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience supporting procurement categories related to filing, chemical services, hard goods, or third-party manufacturing
• Experience with supplier consolidation strategies and working capital improvement initiatives
• Familiarity with complex supply agreements involving vendor-managed inventory, consigned materials, formula-based pricing, feedstocks, and indices
• Experience leading process improvement initiatives that improve service, speed, and cost
• Ability to navigate highly matrixed environments with multiple internal and external stakeholders
• Experience supporting new product introduction launches from a procurement or sourcing perspective

Benefits
Dahl Consulting is proud to offer a comprehensive benefits package to eligible employees that will allow you to choose the best coverage to meet your family's needs. For details, please review the DAHL Benefits Summary: How to Apply
Take the first step on your new career path!To submit yourself for consideration for this role, simply click the apply button and complete our mobile-friendly online application. Once we've reviewed your application details, a recruiter will reach out to you with next steps! Equal Opportunity Statement
As an equal opportunity employer, Dahl Consulting welcomes candidates of all backgrounds and experiences to apply. If this position sounds like the right opportunity for you, we encourage you to take the next step and connect with us. We look forward to meeting you!

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Dahl Consulting is proud to offer a comprehensive benefits package to eligible contract employees that will allow you to choose the best coverage to meet your family's needs. For details, please review our Benefits Summary:


Dahl Consulting is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service, or other applicable legally protected characteristics.


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