Category Management Specialist

Startec Compression & Process and Startec Service; Calgary; On-site; CAD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Startec Compression & Process is seeking a Category Management Specialist to own assigned procurement categories from strategy through execution at our Calgary office. The role drives supplier performance, cost optimization, and supply continuity in a fabrication and project-based environment, with knowledge of industrial valves and instrumentation guiding supplier decisions.

Collaborate with Engineering, Projects, Operations, and Finance to support sourcing decisions, mitigate supply risk, and

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a related discipline is required.
• 5–7 years of procurement/category management or related spend responsibilities.
• Experience with industrial valves and instrumentation specifications is preferred.
• Ability to develop and execute category strategies that deliver measurable value.
• Strong analytical and commercial skills with spend analysis and market assessment.
• Proficiency with ERP systems and procurement tools (NAVISION and/or D365 preferred).
• Excellent negotiation and stakeholder management skills are essential.

Responsibilities

• Lead spend analysis and cost optimization efforts across assigned categories.
• Develop and implement category strategies in collaboration with Engineering, Projects, Operations, and Finance.
• Monitor supplier performance, manage supplier risk, and support sourcing decisions and negotiations.
• Engage stakeholders, communicate category strategy changes, and drive adoption of standardized procurement practices.
• Identify and mitigate supply risks and ensure on-time project delivery through proactive planning.
• Maintain documentation supporting supplier evaluations, sourcing decisions, and contracts.

Skills

Spend analytics

Cost optimization

Cross-functional collaboration

Governance & risk management

Supplier risk management

Communication

Change management

Negotiation

Stakeholder management

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, Engineering

Tools

NAVISION/D365

Job description

ABOUT US:

Startec Compression & Process is dedicated to providing innovative solutions to meet your unique challenges and opportunities. We are an integrated project and engineering equipment fabricator specializing in the modularized design and packaging of process, refrigeration, and rotating equipment solutions. Most of our solutions are related to Energy Transition and carbon reduction industries.

POSITION OVERVIEW:

Startec Compression & Process is currently recruiting for a Category Management Specialist to work at our Glenmore Office (Suite 240, 4000 Glenmore Court SE, Calgary, AB T2C 5R8).

The Category Management Specialist owns assigned procurement categories from strategy through execution, driving supplier performance, cost optimization, supply continuity, and long-term business value. Working in a fabrication and project-based environment, the role develops category strategies, analyzes spend and market data, and partners with Engineering, Projects, Operations, and Finance to support sourcing decisions and mitigate supply risk. Practical knowledge of industrial valves and instrumentation is required to effectively evaluate suppliers and support technical procurement decisions. Category assignments rotate every 2–3 years to build enterprise capability, knowledge transfer, and supply chain resilience.

CORE RESPONSIBILITIES

SPEND ANALYSIS & COST OPTIMIZATION (Weightage 30%)

Spend & Market Analytics

• Analyze category spend, demand patterns, and cost drivers to identify trends, consolidation opportunities, and areas for improvement.
• Use procurement and ERP data to support category strategy development and sourcing decisions.
• Maintain appropriate category-level metrics and insights to monitor performance and inform stakeholders.

Cost Optimization & Value Delivery

• Identify and execute cost optimization opportunities through standardization, process improvement, and supplier rationalization, aligned with category strategies.
• Support cost savings and value delivery objectives, including tracking and communicating realized benefits.
• Apply cost modeling, should‑cost concepts, and market benchmarking, as appropriate, to support commercial decisions and negotiations.

CROSS-FUNCTIONAL COLLABORATION & STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT (Weightage 40%)

Internal Collaboration

• Partner closely with Engineering, Projects, Operations, and Finance to align category strategies with project execution, fabrication requirements, and operational needs.
• Apply working knowledge of industrial valves and instrumentation when reviewing specifications and data sheets, assessing suppliers, and translating technical requirements into sourcing decisions.
• Provide commercial, market, and supplier insights to support project planning, budgeting, and supplier selection decisions.
• Support material forecasting and long‑lead planning to mitigate supply risk and support on‑time project delivery.

Communication & Change Management

• Communicate category strategies, sourcing initiatives, and supplier changes clearly and effectively to impacted stakeholders.
• Support the adoption of standardized procurement and sourcing practices by engaging stakeholders early and addressing business needs and constraints.
• Act as a point of coordination between internal teams and suppliers to ensure alignment and minimize disruption during sourcing or supplier transitions.

GOVERNANCE, RISK MANAGEMENT & COMPLIANCE (Weightage 30%)

Policy, Process & Commercial Governance

• Ensure category strategies and sourcing activities align with Startec’s procurement policies, ethical standards, and commercial governance requirements.
• Maintain clear and accurate documentation supporting supplier evaluations, sourcing decisions, and contractual commitments.
• Apply consistent and transparent decision‑making practices to support auditability and internal alignment.

Supply Risk Mitigation

• Identify, assess, and manage category‑level supply risks, including sole‑sourcing exposure, capacity constraints, market volatility, and external risk factors.
• Develop and maintain practical contingency and alternate sourcing strategies to support continuity of supply and project execution.
• Monitor supplier risk indicators and work proactively with internal stakeholders and suppliers to mitigate potential disruptions.

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, Engineering, or a related discipline.
• 5–7 years of progressive experience in procurement, category management, or related supply chain roles, preferably within manufacturing, fabrication, EPC, or industrial environments.
• Working knowledge of industrial valves and instrumentation, including the ability to interpret relevant specifications and data sheets and assess supplier capabilities and quotations.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and execute category or sourcing strategies that deliver measurable business value.
• Strong analytical and commercial skills, with experience in spend analysis, cost modeling, and market assessment.
• Proficiency with ERP systems and procurement tools (Microsoft NAVISION and/or D365 preferred).
• Excellent negotiation, communication, and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence cross‑functional teams.
• Professional supply chain or procurement certification (e.g., SCMP, CIPS, CPSM) considered an asset.

We offer competitive wages, training, flexible, dynamic, and exciting work environment.

We thank you for your application and interest in our organization. Only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.