Category Specialist II

Mortenson; Minneapolis (MN); On-site; USD 73,000 - 109,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical plans

Dental plan

401k match

Paid time off

Life/AD&D insurance

Mental health resources

Tuition reimbursement

Adoption assistance

Gym discount

Job summary

Mortenson is seeking a Category Specialist II to develop, implement, and manage sourcing strategies for assigned categories, aiming to optimize cost, quality, and delivery while strengthening supplier relationships. You will collaborate with engineering and operations, lead category reviews, and support negotiations and cost reductions, contributing to Mortenson’s project success and growth.

The role requires a bachelor's degree and at least four years of experience in purchasing or supply

Qualifications

• Knowledge of construction processes, equipment and materials, purchasing processes and procedures
• Negotiating, organizing, planning, verbal and communication skills
• Strong strategic thinking, business acumen, and negotiations skills
• Effective communication and presentation skills
• Strong organization, planning and decision-making skills
• Ability to influence without authority
• Active listening skills and effective communication including an openness to diverse input and feedback

Responsibilities

• Assist in development and implementation of Category Strategy for Assigned Categories
• Identify and engage with internal stakeholders across engineering and operations to capture category requirements
• Develop Sourcing Strategy for categories detailing projects, sourcing levers, timing, resources, and expected benefits
• Adapt the strategy as business, market, and economic environments change
• Support Annual Category Reviews including updated projects, metrics, strategy, and risk mitigation strategies
• Manage Relationships with Key Suppliers
• Maintain relationship with suppliers at the appropriate level
• Support in the development of supplier business reviews
• Monitor supplier’s quality and delivery performance
• Leverage supplier relationship to assist buyers with expedites as needed
• Assist with the Financial Success of Category
• Assist with the development of pricing strategies for project proposals
• Assist with monthly and annual category financial reviews with project information, metrics, forecast and strategy, if applicable
• Support Material Cost Reductions for Assigned Categories
• Assist in supplier contract negotiations
• Aid in developing negotiation strategy including supplier profiles, commercial negotiations targets, defining switching costs, and building Total Cost of Ownership (TCO)
• Closely monitor market drivers affecting the category including raw material pricing and availability, supplier capacity, industry disruptions and new products.
• Responsible for forecasting, reporting, mitigating, and recovery of commodity inflation
• Lead team members by example, offer effective coaching and feedback, and effectively manage performance
• Other duties as assigned

Skills

Construction knowledge

Negotiation

Strategic thinking

Communication

Organizational skills

Influence without authority

Active listening

Education

Bachelor's degree in business, supply chain management, construction management or equivalent

Job description

Summary

Mortenson is currently seeking a Category Specialist II that will be responsible for developing, implementing, and managing sourcing strategies for specified categories or group of categories. This role will focus on optimizing costs, quality, and delivery while improving Supply Chain efficiencies and maintaining supplier relationships.

EXPECTATIONS OF ALL TEAM MEMBERS

At Mortenson, we believe everyone is a leader. For that reason, every team member is expected to apply our leadership principles – Do the Right Thing, We Before Me and Inspire What’s Possible – in their work. This means we act with dependability, initiative and a positive attitude to produce high quality work and deliver an exceptional customer experience. We are on time, productive and consistent in our attendance. We approach work as part of a team, listen to the opinions of others and cooperate to achieve project goals. We accept direction from supervisors and seek out constructive feedback. We follow rules and procedures to ensure quality work and safeguard the wellbeing of ourselves and others. We push to exceed the established goals, standards and accountabilities of our positions to increase quality, safety and innovation. All team members are responsible for supporting a diverse, equitable and inclusive work environment, as well as positively contributing to our company culture. This begins by aligning with Mortenson’s values and ethical standards as stated in the Mortenson Code of Ethics and Business Conduct, in addition to abiding by the procedures and practices outlined in the Mortenson Operations Manual.

Responsibilities

• Assist in development and implementation of Category Strategy for Assigned Categories
  • Identify and engage with internal stakeholders across engineering and operations to capture category requirements
  • Assess potential opportunities for categories including spend segmentation, category maturity, cost drivers, and supply market analysis
  • Develop Sourcing Strategy for categories detailing projects, sourcing levers, timing, resources, and expected benefits
  • Adapt the strategy as business, market, and economic environments change
  • Support Annual Category Reviews including updated projects, metrics, strategy, and risk mitigation strategies
• Manage Relationships with Key Suppliers
  • Maintain relationship with suppliers at the appropriate level
  • Support in the development of supplier business reviews
  • Monitor supplier’s quality and delivery performance
  • Leverage supplier relationship to assist buyers with expedites as needed
• Assist with the Financial Success of Category
  • Assist with the development of pricing strategies for project proposals
  • Assist with monthly and annual category financial reviews with project information, metrics, forecast and strategy, if applicable
• Support Material Cost Reductions for Assigned Categories
  • Assist in supplier contract negotiations
  • Aid in developing negotiation strategy including supplier profiles, commercial negotiations targets, defining switching costs, and building Total Cost of Ownership (TCO)
  • Closely monitor market drivers affecting the category including raw material pricing and availability, supplier capacity, industry disruptions and new products.
  • Responsible for forecasting, reporting, mitigating, and recovery of commodity inflation
• Effectively work and build relationships with those of diverse backgrounds and organizational levels
• Lead team members by example, offer effective coaching and feedback, and effectively manage performance
• Other duties as assigned

Qualifications

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of construction processes, equipment and materials, purchasing processes and procedures
• Negotiating, organizing, planning, verbal and communication skills
• Strong strategic thinking, business acumen, and negotiations skills
• Effective communication and presentation skills
• Strong organization, planning and decision-making skills
• Ability to influence without authority
• Active listening skills and effective communication including an openness to diverse input and feedback

Education And Experience Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in business, supply chain management, construction management or equivalent combinations of technical training and/or related experience
• Minimum 4 years of experience
• Current driver’s license

Non-Craft Statement (Office):

This position requires the following with or without an accommodation; sitting, seeing, hearing, and utilization ofa computer and office equipment. The working environment consists of indoor and climate-controlled settings.This position description is not intended to be a comprehensive list of the duties and responsibilities of the position. The duties and responsibilities of this position may change without notice.

A Few Benefits Offered Include

• Medical and prescription drug plans that includes no additional cost vision coverage
• Dental plan
• 401k retirement plan with a generous Mortenson match
• Paid time off, holidays, and other paid leaves
• Employer paid Life, AD&D, and disability insurance
• No-Cost mental health tool and concierge with extensive work-life resources
• Tuition reimbursement
• Adoption Assistance
• Gym Membership Discount Program

The base pay range for this role is $72,900 - $109,400. (Actual range is higher for the following office locations: Denver, CO and Chicago, IL – 5%, Seattle, WA, and Portland, OR – 10%, Washington, D.C. – 12.5%). This position is eligible for Mortenson´s incentive plan.

Please Make Note

• Visa sponsorship is not offered for this position.
• Our postings are typically open a minimum of 5 days and an average of 44 days.

About Mortenson

As a top builder, developer, and EPC (Engineering, Procurement, and Construction), our expertise spans markets like sports, renewable energy, data centers, healthcare, and more. We are builders at heart, working to ensure the built environment has a lasting positive impact.

Let’s Redefine Possible®

Equal Employment Opportunity

Your uniqueness brings new and creative perspectives to the team. Mortenson is committed to providing equal opportunities of employment (EOE) to all individuals, regardless of your race, religion, gender, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, marital status or any other legally protected category.

Other Items To Note

• Mortenson reserves the right to hire any individual without legal or financial obligation on unwanted solicitations. No agency emails, calls, or solicitations are accepted without a valid agreement.
• Must be currently legally authorized to work in the U.S. without sponsorship for employment visa status (e.g., H1B status, 0-1, TN, CPT, OPT, etc.). We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa at this time.