Logistics Category Specialist V

Airswift; Houston (TX); Hybrid; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Part time

Job summary

Airswift is seeking a Logistics Category Specialist in Houston to manage procurement across freight forwarding, road transport, warehousing, and related services. The role focuses on strategic sourcing, contracting, and supplier performance to support capital projects and operations.

Required are 5+ years in procurement/logistics and strong expertise in category management, supplier governance, and negotiation.

Qualifications

• High school diploma required.
• Bachelor's degree in supply chain, logistics, business, engineering, commerce, or related field preferred.
• 5+ years of relevant experience in procurement, category management, logistics, freight forwarding, project logistics, transportation, or supply chain.

Responsibilities

• Focus on logistics category management, strategic sourcing, contracting, and supplier performance across freight forwarding, road transportation, heavy haul, customs brokerage, warehousing, materials management, and third-party logistics services.
• Support business operations and capital projects through logistics strategy, commercial analysis, and procurement governance.
• Influence sourcing outcomes, improve supplier performance, and deliver sustainable value across a complex logistics portfolio.
• Lead or support end-to-end sourcing activities, including bid preparation, supplier evaluation, negotiation strategy, and contract award recommendations.

Skills

Category management

Strategic sourcing

Contract management

Supplier management

Negotiation

Procurement governance

Cost modelling

Import/export

Project management

Stakeholder management

Data analysis

Education

High school diploma

Bachelor's degree in supply chain or related field

Tools

SAP

Excel

Power BI

ERP systems

Analytics tools

Job description

Job Title: Logistics Category Specialist Duration: 12 months assignment Schedule: 9/80 (Fridays from home) Location: Houston, Texas

About Airswift

Airswift is an international workforce solutions provider within the energy, process and infrastructure industries. Airswift serves as a strategic partner to clients, offering a turnkey workforce solution to capture and deliver the top talent needed to complete successful projects by aligning with unique project needs. With over 1000 employees and 9,000 contractors operating in over 60 countries, Airswift's geographical reach and pool of talent available is unmatched in the industry.

Vacancy Overview

This opportunity focuses on logistics category management, strategic sourcing, contracting, and supplier performance across freight forwarding, road transportation, heavy haul, customs brokerage, warehousing, materials management, and third-party logistics services. The role supports business operations and capital projects through logistics strategy, commercial analysis, and procurement governance in a technically demanding environment. This position offers the chance to influence sourcing outcomes, improve supplier performance, and help deliver sustainable value across a complex logistics portfolio.

Required Education

High school diploma required.

Required Experience

• At least 5 years of relevant experience in procurement, category management, logistics, freight forwarding, project logistics, transportation, or supply chain.
• Experience managing logistics categories and suppliers across areas such as freight forwarding, road transportation, heavy haul, customs brokerage, warehousing, materials management, and third-party logistics services.
• Experience leading or supporting end-to-end sourcing activities, including bid preparation, supplier evaluation, negotiation strategy, commercial analysis, contract award recommendations, and implementation planning.
• Experience supporting capital projects, business units, or operations teams with freight strategies, project logistics planning, transportation routes, delivery planning, and logistics risk management.

Required Skills

• Strong knowledge of category management, strategic sourcing, contracting, supplier management, negotiation, and procurement governance.
• Ability to conduct supply market analysis, benchmarking, cost modelling, total cost of ownership analysis, and commercial evaluation.
• Working knowledge of shipment planning, import/export processes, customs requirements, Incoterms, transportation risk, and supplier performance metrics.
• Strong commercial, financial, and analytical capability, including evaluation of supplier proposals, rate structures, surcharges, cost drivers, and savings opportunities.
• Strong project management, problem-solving, communication, influencing, stakeholder management, and presentation skills.
• Ability to write, review, and manage contracts, work orders, rate schedules, service level agreements, and commercial terms.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in supply chain, logistics, business, engineering, commerce, or a related field.
• 8–10 years of relevant experience.
• Experience with freight forwarding, customs brokerage, marine or road transportation, heavy haul, warehousing, third-party logistics, or materials management.
• Experience with procurement systems, e-procurement tools, SAP, data analytics, or reporting platforms.
• Availability to attend an in-person onsite interview is preferred, with virtual interview options available if needed.