Category Specialist - New Product Introduction (NPI)

Oshkosh Corporation, Inc.; Minnesota; On-site; USD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Pierce Manufacturing, an Oshkosh company, is seeking a Category Specialist – New Product Introduction (NPI) to support sourcing for prototype and production launches. You will partner with Engineering, Program Management, Finance, Operations, and Suppliers to ensure components are properly sourced and ready for deployment.

The role requires strong Excel skills, ERP data integrity, and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment, with 10–20% travel.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent required or in progress.
• 3+ years in Supply Chain or related field preferred.
• Ability to travel 10-20%.

Responsibilities

• Review ECNs and understand requirements, sourcing needs, and ERP setup.
• Execute RFQs, supplier evaluation, and selection per strategy.
• Facilitate collaboration between Engineering and suppliers for manufacturability.
• Procure capital tooling and manage cost, timing, and approvals.
• Develop supply plans for prototype to production launches and mitigate lead-time risks.
• Lead cross-functional problem-solving to expedite critical materials.
• Maintain strong cross-functional working relationships and data integrity.

Skills

Communication

Time management

Teamwork

Problem solving

Prioritization

Attention to detail

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent

Tools

Microsoft Excel

SharePoint

Word

PowerPoint

Job description

## Category Specialist - New Product Introduction (NPI)Apply: Dodge Center, Minnesota, United States: US-TN-Murfreesboro: Full time: Posted Today: R50227**About Pierce, an Oshkosh company****At Pierce Manufacturing, we build trucks that protect people and communities around the world. To our team, there is no room for anything less than providing the absolute best. Since 1913, building truck bodies on Model T Ford chassis in an old converted church has evolved to creating highly customized, carefully designed and engineering pumpers, aerials, tankers and rescue units that have no equal. Today, you'll find more than** **30,000 Pierce apparatuses** **on the road that are making a difference in people's lives, every day. To us, every step in the process of building our trucks is personal. From innovation and expertise, to the customization and service. Our trucks are designed to perform under the toughest conditions.****JOB SUMMARY**The Category Specialist – New Product Introduction (NPI) is an intermediate-level position within the Strategic Supply Chain organization responsible for supporting new product development, engineering changes, and successful product launches. This role serves as a key Supply Chain partner to Engineering, Program Management, Finance, Operations, Category Management, and Suppliers to ensure new and changed components are properly sourced, commercially established, and ready to support prototype and production requirements.This role requires the ability to operate effectively in a fast-paced environment, independently prioritize competing requirements, resolve supply chain issues, and drive cross-functional actions to closure.**YOUR IMPACT**These duties are not meant to be all-inclusive, and other duties may be assigned.* Review Engineering Change Notices (ECNs) to understand technical requirements, supply chain impacts, sourcing needs, and appropriate ERP setup for new or changed components.* Execute sourcing activities including RFQs, quote analysis, supplier evaluation, and selection in coordination with applicable Category Management strategies.* Facilitate technical collaboration between Engineering and suppliers to ensure component manufacturability and conformance with engineering drawings* Review, negotiate, and facilitate the procurement of capital tooling required to manufacture new or changed components, ensuring alignment on cost, timing.* Develop and execute supply plans supporting prototype, pre-production, and production launches, with particular focus on critical and long-lead-time components.* Identify and mitigate supplier lead-time risks that could impact product development or launch schedules.* Lead cross-functional problem-solving efforts expediting critical material and driving actions to closure when launch requirements are at risk.* Build effective working relationships across Engineering, Operations, Quality, Program Management, Category Management, Purchasing, and the external supply base to support successful product introductions.* Apply sound judgment, critical thinking, and project management skills to independently prioritize competing requirements, manage ambiguity, establish action plans, and communicate or escalate risks appropriately.* Identify process improvement opportunities and engage DT resources as needed to implement process changes to improve ERP data integrity and optimize the sourcing and change implementation processes.* Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, including the ability to organize, analyze, and interpret complex data sets to support sourcing decisions, project tracking, and supply chain analysis**MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:*** Bachelor’s degree and three (3) or more years of experience in Supply Chain Management or a related field.* OR an equivalent combination of education and experience.* Ability to travel 10-20%.* Proficiency in Microsoft Excel**STANDOUT QUALIFICATIONS:*** Purchasing experience within the manufacturing industry.* Ability to effectively communicate.* Ability to work in a team environment.* Strong organizational skills with exceptional follow through and attention to detail.* Strong time-management and prioritization skills, able to multi-task and prioritize competing requirements and meet deadlines.* Ability to work in a fast-paced environment where requirements are constantly changing.* Experience and proficiency with various web-based software applications including Microsoft Office Word, Excel, PowerPoint, SharePoint, etc.