Category Manager

Hitachi Automotive Systems Americas, Inc.; Vadodara; On-site; INR 2,400,000 - 4,200,000; Full time

Job summary

Hitachi Energy India Limited is seeking a senior procurement professional to lead strategic sourcing, with a focus on HBU category management and supplier performance. You will negotiate contracts, align with stakeholders, and drive cost reduction across the supply base.

The role requires 14+ years in SCM, strong negotiation and analytical abilities, and fluency in English. Occasional travel up to 50% may be necessary in a global operating environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering or related field.
• 14+ years in Supply Chain Management, preferably in category management or strategic sourcing.
• Proven ability to develop and execute procurement strategies.
• Excellent negotiation and communication skills.
• Fluent in English; additional languages are a plus.
• Travel up to 25–50% may be required.

Responsibilities

• Analyze commodity spend, market dynamics, and price developments.
• Develop and deploy HBU category strategy and plan using CIPS methodologies.
• Align strategy with stakeholders and communicate regularly.
• Negotiate spend, sign contracts, and monitor SLAs and frame agreements.
• Oversee supplier relationships with regular performance reviews.
• Execute forward sourcing for R&D and cost-improvement projects.

Skills

Negotiation skills

Communication skills

Analytical skills

Fluent in English

Education

Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering

Supply Chain Management

CIPS or ISM CPSM certification

Job description

Location: Maneja, Gujarat, India

Job ID: R0142643 Date Posted: 2026-09-30 Company Name: HITACHI ENERGY INDIA LIMITED Profession (Job Category): Customer Service & Contact Center Operations Job Schedule: Full time Remote: No

Job Description

The opportunity: Hitachi Energy uses a very high-end system for its control, protection and monitoring. This system is called as MACH. This computerized system is built with the state-of-the-art electronics, microprocessors and digital signal processors, connected by high performance industry standard busses and fiber optic communication links. They operate on very high standard application software designed by the control design team for which there is a need for experienced control system engineers. The system being continuously evolving, becoming more complex and customized, great deal of test & verification are required.

How you’ll make an impact

• Analyze commodity spend, market dynamics, and price developments.
• Compare spend cost development versus market development on a total cost of ownership basis.
• As a spend owner, assess, define, adjust, and improve the HBU category strategy and plan using CIPS methodology, aligning with business needs and Hitachi Energy procedures and regulations.
• Align the strategy with key stakeholders and communicate regularly.
• Execute and deliver on agreed strategy deployment actions, following up with responsible functions and other stakeholders.
• Align and deliver on HBU category targets for KPIs, focusing on cost, quality, and timely delivery.
• Regularly report on financial and supply performance.
• Regularly review the balance of demand versus supply for critical materials, taking measures to secure supply and anticipate changes or new requirements.
• Promote emerging market sourcing activities where they bring additional value.
• Mandate the Supply Quality & Development team in resolving supplier issues and hot topics.
• Collect detailed factory requirements.
• Run tender/order-specific RFx and negotiations as applicable.
• Negotiate spend for selected suppliers, allocate volume, and sign and monitor contracts, frame agreements, and service level agreements (SLAs)
• Provide input on price trends to BU Commodity Managers for commodity guidelines and HBU sales bidding processes.
• Distribute market allocation, pricing, lead times, MOQ (if applicable), and Terms & Conditions information to factories and relevant responsible persons, controlling its usage in local ERP systems.
• Improve tender and project material costing on demand or where appropriate.
• Promote cost breakdown analysis, should costing, and regular benchmarks.
• Approve contracts and purchase orders as per applicable CAT/LAT.

Supply Base Management

• Oversee supplier relationships with regular reviews of contract execution, supply performance, improvement activities, and future plans.
• Assign supplier account owners for the majority of the spend in the HBU.
• Lead supplier qualification, perform risk assessments, plan and assign audits to Supply Quality & Development Engineers.
• Evaluate, define, and monitor improvement measures for selected suppliers based on performance data, organizing or requesting resources accordingly.
• Act as the resolution owner for escalated topics as mapped in the escalation matrix.
• Identify and address performance hot spots, escalating with corrective and preventive measures.
• Manage claims to maximize compensation for Hitachi Energy.
• Research and scout new suppliers in collaboration with other functions (e.g., SQ, Engineering)
• Work closely with other functions to initiate, promote, and support project execution to bring value in total cost of ownership, risk mitigation, quality, cash, lead time, and material availability.
• Implement material cost-cutting and risk mitigation projects, preferably using the Dynamic Evolution methodology.
• Execute forward sourcing activities for R&D, DtV, New Product Introduction, product cost improvement projects, support technology transfer projects, footprint changes, and other agreed

Your background

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, Supply Chain Management, or a related field.
• 14+ years in Supply Chain Management, preferably in Category Management or Strategic Sourcing in multinational companies.
• Strong understanding of procurement principles and best practices.
• Proven ability to develop and execute procurement strategies.
• Excellent negotiation and communication skills.
• CIPS or ISM CPSM certification is an advantage.
• Excellent analytical skills with the ability to transform data into short and long-term plans.
• Fluent in English, with other languages being an advantage.
• Flexibility to travel up to 25~50% Accessibility and reasonable accommodation

Qualified individuals with a disability may request a reasonable accommodation if you are unable or limited in your ability to use or access the Hitachi Energy career site as a result of your disability. You may request reasonable accommodations by completing a general inquiry form on our website. Please include your contact information and specific details about your required accommodation to support you during the job application process. This is solely for job seekers with disabilities requiring accessibility assistance or an accommodation in the job application process. Messages left for other purposes will not receive a response.

Use of Al and automated tools in recruitment

As part of our recruitment process, Hitachi Energy uses digital and automated tools, including Al-supported solutions, to assist with activities such as application screening, job matching, and interview scheduling. These tools are designed to support our recruiters and do not replace human decision-making. Candidate data is processed in accordance with applicable data protection and employment laws as well as Hitachi's Global Data Privacy Notice.

Background Screening and Security Checks

As part of the hiring process, Hitachi Energy conducts pre-employment background checks that may include verification of employment history, education, criminal records, and other relevant information, in accordance with applicable laws. For certain roles—particularly those involving access to sensitive information, financial responsibilities, client data, regulated environments, or security-sensitive functions—additional or more comprehensive background or security screenings may be required. These may include, but are not limited to, enhanced criminal history checks, credit history reviews (where legally permissible), sanctions screening, or other due diligence measures aligned with the responsibilities of the position. The scope and depth of any background or security review will be determined based on the nature of the role and business necessity, and will always be conducted in compliance with applicable federal, state, and local laws. Candidates will be notified and, where required, asked to provide consent prior to the initiation of any such checks.

Hitachi brings together the world’s greatest minds to help breathe life into new possibilities – and drive innovation for a better future. That’s why we look for individuals who share our pioneering spirit, have imaginative ideas and are fearless when it comes to tackling the world’s biggest challenges. Our people love technology – and they love making a difference. They have a passion for finding new solutions and working with brilliant colleagues. Every day they dedicate themselves to a huge range of exciting projects, contributing to the Hitachi vision around the globe. From engineering new sustainability solutions that conserve water and energy to creating the infrastructure for the smart cities of tomorrow, there’s no challenge too great for our pioneers. And there’s no shortage of opportunities for you to make a difference. Come and experience the dynamic, collaborative and creative environments where your ideas are welcome and new discoveries are waiting. To help you grow to your full potential, we strive to support our employees in their career aspirations and promote the freedom to explore new horizons.

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