Procurement Category Manager

Job Description

Job Description

This role serves as a Procurement Category Manager within a strategic procurement and supply chain organization focused on material handling systems (MHE) for a rapidly growing network of new facilities. You will build and execute capital sourcing strategies for critical equipment and components, drive consistency and scalability across complex automation environments, and help launch new technology-enabled buildings by partnering closely with engineering, operations, finance, and project teams. This is a fully onsite position based in Bellevue, WA.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement category sourcing strategies for equipment and components that form the overall MHE system or sub-systems, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and long-term network objectives.
• Lead cross-functional sourcing events from end to end, including requirements gathering, supplier selection, negotiations, and contract execution, to optimize the company’s competitive position for capital equipment.
• Negotiate commercial terms and conditions with suppliers to secure favorable pricing, delivery, and service levels while managing risk and ensuring compliance with procurement policies.
• Manage internal and external relationships with key stakeholders, including suppliers, business units, engineering teams, finance, and other procurement groups, to ensure alignment and effective collaboration.
• Drive supplier performance management by establishing clear expectations and metrics, and by focusing on transparency, quality, innovation, and overall supplier performance.
• Collaborate with global and local teams to deploy and manage the implementation of defined category strategies across multiple sites and projects.
• Influence suppliers’ roadmaps, designs, processes, technology decisions, and strategies to align with procurement priorities and operational requirements for MHE systems.
• Lead complex, cross-functional projects that drive productivity, innovation, and cost savings within the category, including new product development initiatives with technical teams.
• Monitor market trends, competitor activities, and industry best practices to inform category strategies, identify opportunities, and support data-driven decision-making.
• Develop and maintain category-specific metrics, dashboards, and reporting to track performance, savings, supplier compliance, and project outcomes.
• Support building launches and new business lines by ensuring equipment and supply chains are in place on time, enabling technology deployments and operational readiness.
• Build procurement and supply chain processes from scratch where needed, including supply agreement structures, contracting provisions, and category management frameworks.
• Partner with hardware engineering, applied science, and operations engineering teams on new product development to ensure procurement strategies support technical requirements and operational uptime.
• Collaborate with capital planning, project management, worldwide design engineering, global engineering services, operations engineering, and reliability and maintenance engineering to ensure sourcing strategies support project timelines and performance targets.
• Use cost modeling and analytical tools to evaluate supplier proposals, compare scenarios, and make data-driven recommendations on sourcing decisions.
• Maintain accurate procurement records, including contracts, purchase orders, supplier data, and inventory-related information, using ERP and e-sourcing tools.
• Perform buying, purchasing, and planning activities as needed to support category execution, including data entry, order placement, and inventory coordination.
• Continuously refine procurement processes and documentation to improve efficiency, scalability, and consistency across the network of buildings.

Essential Skills

• Bachelor’s degree in business, supply chain management, or a related field.
• Minimum of 7 years of experience in procurement, supply chain, or a related field, with a focus on equipment, industrial automation or robotics, capital expenditure (CAPEX), or similar complex categories.
• Proven experience in developing and executing category sourcing strategies for equipment and components, including capital procurement and category management.
• Demonstrated success in negotiating contracts and managing supplier relationships in complex, technical categories.
• Experience building procurement and supply chain processes from scratch, including knowledge of supply agreement construction and key contracting provisions and requirements.
• Strong cost modeling experience and analytical skills, with the ability to interpret data, identify trends, and make data-driven decisions.
• Proficiency with procurement tools and technologies, such as e-sourcing platforms, contract management systems, and ERP systems.
• Experience with purchasing and buying activities, including SAP or other ERP systems, inventory coordination, planning, negotiation, and data entry.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills for data analysis, cost modeling, and reporting.
• Experience working with technical teams, such as hardware engineering and applied science, on new product development.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence and collaborate across multiple teams and organizational levels.
• Demonstrated leadership skills, with the ability to work independently and to lead peers in cross-functional initiatives.
• Professional demeanor and the ability to partner effectively with people at every level, both internally and externally.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• MBA or advanced degree in business, supply chain management, engineering, or a related discipline is preferred.
• 7–10 years of capital procurement experience is highly desirable.
• Experience in the material handling equipment (MHE) industry, with a deep understanding of equipment procurement processes.
• Familiarity with large-scale business operations and procurement practices in complex, technology-driven environments.
• Experience with data analytics and visualization tools to drive insights, inform category strategies, and support stakeholder decision-making.
• Professional certifications in procurement or supply chain management, such as CPSM or CSCP, are a plus.
• Proven ability to build strong supply chains from the ground up, including supplier identification, qualification, and development.
• Experience launching new buildings or business lines through supplier partnerships and capital equipment deployments.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, ambiguous environment where new processes and structures are being developed.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail for managing multiple projects, contracts, and stakeholders concurrently.

Work Environment

This position is fully onsite with a standard expectation of being in the office five days per week. You will work closely with cross-functional teams in strategic procurement and supply chain, engineering, operations, finance, and project management, in an environment focused on building a new business line and launching technology-enabled facilities.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract position based out of Houston, TX.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $40.00 - $44.00/hr.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: • Medical, dental & vision • Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital • 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available • Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) • Short and long-term disability • Health Spending Account (HSA) • Transportation benefits • Employee Assistance Program • Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Houston,TX.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Aug 18, 2026.

About Aston Carter

Aston Carter provides world-class corporate talent solutions to thousands of clients across the globe. Specialized in accounting, finance, human resources, talent acquisition, procurement, supply chain and select administrative professions, we extend the capabilities of industry-leading companies. We draw on our deep recruiting expertise and expansive network to meet the evolving needs of our clients and talent community with agility and excellence. With offices across the U.S., Canada, Asia Pacific and Europe, Aston Carter serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® Platinum Award winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email View email address on us.fitly.work for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.