Category Specialist II - Information Technology

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

Benefits offered by this job

Medical plan

Dental plan

401(k) with match

Paid time off

Life Insurance

AD&D Insurance

Disability insurance

Wellness resources

Tuition reimbursement

Adoption assistance

Gym discount

Job summary

Mortenson is seeking a Category Specialist II to develop, implement, and manage sourcing strategies for specified categories, aiming to optimize costs, quality, and delivery while strengthening supplier relationships.

In this role, you will collaborate with engineers and operations, lead cost reduction initiatives, and support supplier negotiations and market analysis to drive value across projects. This position requires strong communication, negotiation, and strategic thinking.

Qualifications

• 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.
• 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

• Develop and implement Category Strategy for assigned categories by engaging with internal stakeholders across engineering and operations to capture requirements.
• Manage relationships with key suppliers and support supplier business reviews while monitoring quality and delivery performance.
• Assist with pricing strategies for project proposals and monthly/annual category reviews with metrics, forecast, and strategy.
• Support cost reductions by assisting with supplier negotiations and defining switching costs and Total Cost of Ownership (TCO).
• Monitor market drivers affecting the category including raw material pricing, supplier capacity and disruptions.
• Forecast, report, mitigate, and recover from commodity inflation.
• Lead and coach team members, provide feedback, and manage performance.

Skills

Negotiation

Strategic thinking

Communication

Influence without authority

Active listening

Presentation skills

Planning & organizing

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business / Supply Chain / Construction Management

Job description

Category Specialist II - ITS

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.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Assist in development and implementation of Category Strategy for Assigned Categories by identifying and engaging with internal stakeholders across engineering and operations to capture category requirements
• Manage Relationships with Key Suppliers while supporting the development of supplier business reviews while monitoring the supplier’s quality and delivery performance
• Assist with the development of pricing strategies for project proposals along with monthly and annual category financial reviews with project information, metrics, forecast and strategy, if applicable.
• Support Material Cost Reductions for Assigned Categories by assisting with supplier contract negotiations and aiding in the 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

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Supply Chain Management, Construction Management or equivalent combinations of technical training and/or related experience
• Current driver’s license
• Minimum 4 years of experience
• 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

Category Specialist II - ITS

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• 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

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%).

Base pay is positioned within the range based on several factors including an individual’s knowledge, skills, and experience, with consideration given to internal equity. This position is eligible for Mortenson’s incentive plan.

A few benefits offered include:

(for Non-Craft & Non-Union Craft working 25+ hours / week)

• 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

#LI-TM1 #LI-hybrid

Please make note:

• Visa sponsorship is not offered for this position.

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.