Category Manager (Direct Procurement)

Hitachi Rail; Hagerstown (MD); On-site; USD 109,682 - 164,523; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive Pay

Medical/Dental/Vision Insurance

Flexible Spending Accounts

Retirement Savings Plan

Paid Vacation

Job summary

Hitachi Rail is looking for an enthusiastic Category Manager (Direct Procurement) to support North American Vehicle projects based in Hagerstown, MD. You will develop category strategies and manage supplier performance to ensure a reliable supply chain that supports project delivery.

This role requires negotiating complex agreements, leading RFQ activities, and collaborating with Engineering, Quality, and Project teams.

Qualifications

• 8–10 years of procurement experience in manufacturing.
• Strong knowledge of Mechanical and Electrical sub-systems.
• Experience negotiating complex agreements across multiple categories.
• Ability to manage multiple categories/projects simultaneously.
• Excellent communication with data-driven reporting.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute regional category strategies for Class A subsystems.
• Lead RFQ activities and negotiate contracts for complex electromechanical categories.
• Liaise with Engineering, Quality, Project teams for bid evaluations.
• Review and revise contract terms to resolve conflicts (payment terms, warranty).
• Maintain contracts data in Jaggaer/ETQ and SAP.
• Identify supply chain risks related to capacity and material shortages.
• Manage relationships with key strategic suppliers and conduct reviews.
• Ensure procurement risk monitoring for local activities.
• Monitor and report on savings vs budget for each category.

Skills

Strategic sourcing

Contract negotiation

Supplier relationship management

Cost modeling

Project procurement planning

Risk management

Stakeholder management

Advanced Excel

Power BI

ERP proficiency

Education

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

Tools

SAP

MS Office

E-Auctions

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. And that's where you come in.

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.

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.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute regional category strategies for Class A subsystems aligning with project 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 (e.g. 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 supplier 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
• Contract negotiation
• Supplier relationship management
• Cost modeling and should‑cost analysis
• Project procurement planning
• Risk management
• 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 communication 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.
• Strong cost & commercial acumen.
• 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

Benefits

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.

Salary

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.

Safety Screening

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.

Equal Opportunity & Diversity Statement

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.

Accommodation Statement

If you need a reasonable accommodation to apply for a job at Hitachi, please send the nature of request and contact information to [e-mail].