Category Manager

Hitachi Vantara Corporation; Toronto; Hybrid; CAD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

A global technology company in Toronto is seeking a Category Manager to oversee procurement categories and ensure effective sourcing strategies. The ideal candidate will have 5 to 7 years of experience in strategic sourcing and strong negotiation skills. Responsibilities include developing category strategies and market monitoring to drive cost reductions and business competitiveness.

Qualifications

• 5 to 7+ years of strategic sourcing and category management experience.
• Proven ability to lead complex negotiations and deliver cost reductions.
• Strong leadership skills with ability to influence teams.

Responsibilities

• Develop and enrich the category strategy for direct services and products.
• Ensure buy-in of the category strategy from relevant stakeholders.
• Monitor the market for the category and propose updates.

Skills

Strategic sourcing

Negotiation

Market monitoring

Leadership

Education

Bachelor's Degree

Tools

Value analysis methods

Job description

About Us

A career at Hitachi Rail will help create a legacy. With operations in every corner of the world, our work goes to the cutting-edge of digital transformation and technology. From the multi-cultural strength of our global organisation to the sustainable and innovative ways we work to bring people together, there's something for everyone to get stuck into. Toronto, Ontario, Canada (Hybrid)

The Category Manager is responsible for one or several procurement categories and/or sub-categories related to Direct categories and products required to support the business unit. This includes electrical and electronic components, including but not limited to PCB boards, remote IO, microprocessors chipsets, modules, cables and connectors, as well as mechanical and machining parts. A concrete knowledge of the technology and cost drivers of the category/sub-category is required to have a good understanding of the technical specification and facilitate discussions/workshops with the product/engineering teams internally as well as with suppliers. He or she must bring expertise/market intelligence of the Electronic Manufacturing Industry to manage different technologies used in various applications as required in Hitachi Rail solutions.

Key Accountabilities:

• Permanently develop and enrich the regional strategy for the existing direct services and products, such as Built-to-Print technology, Spec Racks, and Cabinets assemblies, mechanical frames/parts, and hardware parts/software COTS integration, for the mid and long term, based on entities' needs in close relationship with the business segment leadership.
• Ensure a perfect knowledge and buy-in of the category strategy from the engineering team, the Product/Project Procurement organization, relevant stakeholders, and in alignment with entities/regions.
• Define and apply the roadmap and related actions supporting the category's strategic directions.
• Monitor the market for their category, including key actors, suppliers, economic evolutions, and innovations, in order to propose the most up-to-date solutions to businesses. Provide business with insights as to how products/projects could be more competitive based on market monitoring.
• Prepare Make or Buy decisions, collaborating with the project/product procurement manager or relevant stakeholders.

Key Requirements:

• Bachelor's Degree.
• 5 to 7+ years of strategic sourcing and category/commodity management experience, with expertise in leading P3 sourcing projects greater than $300k in spend and high risk.
• Knowledge of value analysis methods.
• Skills to evaluate risks and propose a mitigation plan.
• Good grasp of commercial law and basic knowledge of insurance and export controls.
• Proven ability to lead complex and high-spend negotiations; track record of negotiating T&Cs.
• Consistent multi-year track record of delivering cost reduction.
• Strategic risk partner for complex decision-making.
• Capability to clearly present and communicate sourcing plans to senior leadership.
• Expertise in facilitating cost reduction and technology innovation workshops.
• Proven ability to take ownership and drive projects to completion in a timely manner.
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to influence teams to deliver business results.
• Ability to manage by influence and effectively convince internal and external stakeholders.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master's Degree in Engineering, Business, Economics, or Supply Chain.
• Professional Procurement Certifications (e.g., EIPM, CIPS, or CPM).
• Previous experience and knowledge of IT & Telco Services, IT Networks, and practical understanding of network components/specifications for physical and functional components.
• Understanding of hardware (e.g., computers, physical servers, and network equipment), software (e.g., operating systems and applications), and peripheral equipment.
• Strong understanding of licensing and service agreements, with the capability to manage and negotiate complex licensing contracts.

Thank you for your interest in Hitachi Rail. If your application is of interest, we will be in contact. Please do not hesitate to discover more about us and our latest jobs at https://www.hitachirail.com/careers .

At Hitachi Rail, there is a place for everyone. We welcome and value differences in background, age, gender, sexuality, family status, disability, race, nationality, ethnicity, religion, and world view. It is our commitment to create an inclusive environment - we are proud to be an equal opportunity employer.

We would be delighted if you would be one of our followers at https://www.linkedin.com/company/hitachirail .