Category Manager (Direct Procurement)

Hitachi Rail Limited; Hagerstown (MD); On-site; USD 110,000 - 165,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive Pay

Medical Insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

Short & Long Term Disability

Life Insurance

Flexible Spending Accounts

Retirement Savings Plan

Paid Vacation

Flextime

Training & Development

Job summary

Hitachi Rail Ltd. is seeking an enthusiastic Category Manager (Direct Procurement) to support North American Vehicle projects in Hagerstown, MD. You will develop category strategies, manage supplier performance, and negotiate agreements to ensure a reliable supply chain compatible with project delivery.

The role requires 8–10 years of procurement experience in manufacturing, with strong knowledge of electromechanical subsystems and complex contracts. Domestic and international travel is expected.

Qualifications

• Strategic sourcing expertise across Class A categories.
• Cost modeling and should-cost analysis proficiency.
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Advanced Excel, Power BI, and ERP proficiency.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute regional category strategies for assigned components and subsystems.
• Lead RFQ activities and negotiate contracts for complex electromechanical categories.
• Coordinate with Engineering, Quality, and Project teams for bid evaluations and supplier selection.
• Review contract terms, conditions, and changes to ensure compliance and risk mitigation.
• Maintain contract data and commercial terms in SAP and contract management tools.
• Identify and monitor supply risks and implement supplier performance improvements.

Skills

Strategic sourcing

Cost modeling

Stakeholder management

Advanced Excel

Education

University degree

Tools

MS Office

SAP

E-Auctions

Job description

Hitachi Rail is looking for an enthusiastic and self-motivated Category Manager (Direct Procurement) to support our North American Vehicle projects based in Hagerstown, MD. This is an exciting opportunity for a procurement professional who excels in a dynamic, fast-paced environment and enjoys driving both strategic sourcing initiatives and operational excellence. The successful candidate will be responsible for developing category strategies, managing supplier performance, negotiating commercial agreements, and ensuring a reliable supply chain that supports our business objectives and project delivery commitments.

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. And that's where you come in.

Accountabilities

As Commodity Manager, the candidate will be responsible for developing and executing Category strategies for assigned Class A Categories across ongoing projects and Bids, from RFQ to contract closure phase.

The responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Develop and execute regional category strategies for Class A subsystems aligning with projects specific requirements.
• Lead RFQ activities for assigned projects and conduct negotiation and on time execution of agreements/contracts for complex electromechanical categories.
• Liaise with internal cross functions (Engineering, Quality, Project), to perform evaluation of supplier bids. Formalize supplier selection process with bid evaluations (commercial, legal, tech, warranty).
• Review and revise contract terms and conditions for any conflicts with suppliers (eg. payment terms, warranty, liquidated damages, RAMS Variation, escalation, claims).
• Maintain Contracts data (from Initial negotiation to termination) in Contract management tool (Jaggaer/ETQ) and commercial conditions of the contracts in SAP.
• Identify supply chain risks related to capacity, financial health, geopolitical factors, and material shortages.
• Manage relationships with key strategic suppliers, conduct supplier performance reviews and suggest and implement improvements.
• Initiate suppliers claim process for the non-performance of suppliers against contractual terms and conditions.
• Ensure procurement risk monitoring & control for the assigned local procurement activities.
• Monitoring and reporting on economic and financial figures (budgeted v/s actual savings) for each assigned category.

Required Skills/ Knowledge

• Strategic sourcing
• Cost modeling and should-cost analysis
• Strong communication and stakeholder management
• Advanced Excel, Power BI, and ERP proficiency

Desired Skills/ Knowledge

• Relevant experience in Transit railway or heavy industrial manufacturing.
• Experience with procurement of Metallic/Mechanical/electrical subsystems.
• Exposure to Contract law.

Qualifications and Relevant Experience

• 8-10 years of procurement experience in manufacturing industry.
• Strong knowledge of Mechanical and Electrical sub-systems, cost and price breakdowns.
• Experience in negotiating complex agreements across multiple categories.
• Ability to manage multiple categories/projects simultaneously.
• Excellent communications skills, including the ability to provide data in a concise and appropriate detail.
• IT Tools (Ms Office including advanced level excel skills, SAP, E-Auctions,)
• Experience in Rolling stock subsystem procurement.
• Drafting contract agreements and negotiation.
• Knowledge of statutory policies and organizational processes
• Travel required: 20% (Domestic and International)

Education:

• University Degree (Science, Engineering, Economics) or Equivalent Technical Background

Hitachi Rail employees enjoy a comprehensive benefits package including Competitive Pay, Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance, Short & Long Term Disability, Life & Accident Insurance, Flexible Spending Accounts, a Retirement Savings Plan, and Paid Vacation. We also offer a number of Work/Life Programs such as Flextime and a variety of Training and Development opportunities.

The salary range for this position is $109,682 to $164,523 per year. Final pay is determined by the candidate's experience, skillset and ability level, internal equity, and location.

In accordance with the DOT's FRA and FTA programs, Hitachi's substance screening program tests pre-employment candidates and current employees, as required for safety-sensitive positions.

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.

Mandatory inclusions (optional, for local compliance purposes)