Category Manager

Hitachi Energy; Isle Forest (NC); On-site; USD 100,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Retirement benefits

Paid leave

Flexible work arrangements

Job summary

Hitachi Energy is seeking a Category Manager to develop and implement category strategies that optimize cost, quality, and supply chain performance within the Grid Integration business.

You will manage sourcing activities, contract processes, and supplier relationships while collaborating with engineering, operations, and finance to align procurement with business needs. The role offers exposure to strategic sourcing, supplier development, and market/regulatory monitoring.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Supply Chain Management, Engineering, or related field.
• 5-7 years of experience in strategic sourcing, category management, or procurement.
• Negotiation and contract management skills; CPM or CPSM certification is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement category strategies to optimize cost, quality, and supply chain performance.
• Manage sourcing activities including RFQ/RFP development, negotiation, and contract management.
• Collaborate with engineering, operations, finance and other functions to align procurement with business needs.
• Monitor supplier performance and drive continuous improvement with suppliers.
• Ensure compliance with external and internal regulations and guidelines.

Skills

Negotiation

Category management

Strategic sourcing

Cost reduction

Education

Bachelors in Business Administration / Supply Chain / Engineering

Masters preferred

Tools

ERP systems (SAP / Oracle)

Job description

Category Manager

The Opportunity

In this role, you will develop and implement category strategies that support cost optimization, quality, and supply chain performance for assigned categories within Hitachi Energy's Grid Integration business. You will manage sourcing activities, supplier relationships, contract processes, and category planning while working closely with engineering, operations, finance, and other functions to align procurement activities with business needs. Your work will involve identifying cost reduction opportunities, improving supply chain efficiency, managing supplier performance, and monitoring market and regulatory developments. By helping secure reliable supplier performance, quality, delivery, and service levels, you will contribute to the continuity and performance of operations that support the power industry while gaining exposure to cross-functional collaboration, supplier management, strategic sourcing, and category development practices.

How You'll Make an Impact

• Develop and execute category strategies including spend evaluation, market intelligence, supplier segmentation, and risk management.
• Manage sourcing activities including RFQ/RFP development, negotiation, contract management, and supplier selection.
• Build and maintain relationships with key suppliers while monitoring performance and conducting business reviews.
• Drive continuous improvement activities with suppliers to enhance category performance.
• Collaborate with engineering, operations, finance, and other departments to align category strategies with business needs.
• Identify and implement cost reduction opportunities, value engineering activities, and supply chain efficiencies.
• Manage supplier quality, delivery, and service performance and implement corrective actions when needed.
• Monitor industry trends, technological developments, and regulatory changes relevant to assigned categories.
• Responsible to ensure compliance with applicable external and internal regulations, procedures, and guidelines.

Your Background

• Candidate must already have work authorization that would permit them to work for Hitachi Energy in the United States.
• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Supply Chain Management, Engineering, or a related field; Master's degree preferred.
• Minimum of 5-7 years of experience in strategic sourcing, category management, or procurement, preferably within the energy or manufacturing sector.
• Proven record of developing and implementing category strategies and achieving cost savings.
• Negotiation and contract management skills.
• Proficiency in procurement software and enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems such as SAP or Oracle.
• CPM or CPSM certification is a plus.

More About Us

You will gain experience working across business functions and supplier networks while developing your sourcing, procurement, and category management capabilities.

• Opportunities to work on innovative technologies that shape the future of energy.
• A collaborative environment with experienced professionals across the power industry.
• Access to learning platforms and career development programs.
• Attractive health and retirement benefits.
• Paid leave and flexible work arrangements.