Procurement Category Manager

TEK Systems; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 48,000 - 58,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental & vision

401(k) retirement plan

Life Insurance

Job summary

TEKsystems seeks a Procurement Category Manager to develop and execute sourcing strategies for capital equipment and material handling technologies supporting facility launches in Houston. You will lead cross-functional negotiations, manage supplier relationships, and drive cost modeling to optimize savings while aligning with program timelines.

The role emphasizes building procurement processes from scratch, partnering with engineering and program teams, and delivering metrics on savings,

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in business, supply chain, or related field.
• 7+ years of procurement/supply chain experience, focused on equipment/automation.
• Proven category sourcing strategy development and supplier management.
• Experience building procurement processes from scratch; knowledge of contracting.
• Cost modeling experience.
• Strong analytical and communication skills; able to influence across teams.
• Experience with procurement tools and technologies; collaboration with HW teams.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute category sourcing strategies for capital equipment and material handling technologies.
• Lead supplier negotiations, contract execution, and cost optimization.
• Manage supplier relationships and performance across launches and operations.
• Perform cost modeling and financial analysis to identify savings opportunities.
• Support category management initiatives and supplier performance tracking.
• Collaborate with implementation teams and engineers to meet launch timelines.
• Identify opportunities to improve supply chain resilience and efficiency.

Skills

Category management

Contract negotiations

Sourcing strategy

Stakeholder management

Cost modeling

Data analytics

Cross-functional teamwork

Supplier management

Education

Bachelor's degree in business / supply chain

MBA or advanced degree preferred

Tools

e-sourcing platforms

Contract management systems

ERP systems

Job description

Job Description: Procurement Category Manager

Department: Strategic Procurement and Supply Chain

Key Responsibilities:

• Develop and implement category sourcing strategies for equipment & components that form the overall MHE system or sub-systems, ensuring alignment with One-MHS goals and objectives.
• Lead cross-functional sourcing events, negotiate with suppliers, and execute contracts to optimize competitive position for the procured equipment.
• Manage internal and external relationships with key stakeholders, including suppliers, business units, and other procurement teams.
• Drive supplier performance management, focusing on transparency, quality, innovation and overall supplier performance.
• Collaborate with global and local teams to deploy and manage the implementation of defined strategies.
• Influence suppliers’ roadmaps, design, processes, technology decisions, and strategies to align with procurement goals.
• Lead complex and cross-functional projects to drive productivity and innovation within the category.
• Monitor market trends, competitor activities, and industry best practices to inform category strategies and decision-making.
• Develop and maintain category-specific metrics and reporting to track performance, savings, and supplier compliance.

Team Overview-

This role sits within a procurement and supply chain function supporting the launch of new material handling and automation systems. The team is responsible for building and managing the supplier ecosystem required to support facility launches, ensuring the right equipment, technologies, and partners are in place to meet aggressive deployment timelines. Working closely with implementation teams, program managers, engineering stakeholders, and suppliers, the team plays a critical role in establishing the supply chain foundation.

Unlike traditional procurement organizations focused primarily on maintaining existing supplier relationships, this team is helping create new procurement processes, supplier strategies, and sourcing frameworks from the ground up as the organization continues to mature.

Project Overview-

The primary focus of this role is supporting the launch of new facilities and automation initiatives by developing scalable sourcing and supply chain strategies for capital equipment and material handling technologies. The team is building internal procurement capabilities that will allow the organization to reduce reliance on external partners while maintaining flexibility, cost efficiency, and speed of execution.

Key initiatives include identifying and qualifying suppliers, negotiating commercial agreements, developing category strategies, modeling costs, and building resilient supply chains capable of supporting future expansion. Because the organization is still in its early stages, this role offers the opportunity to help establish foundational processes and shape how procurement will operate as the business scales.

Role Overview-

As a Buyer, you will be responsible for sourcing, contracting, and supplier management activities that support large-scale capital projects and facility launches. This role requires a combination of strategic procurement expertise and hands‑on execution, with a particular focus on capital equipment, category management, supplier development, and cost optimization.

You will partner closely with implementation teams, program managers, engineers, and suppliers to ensure procurement strategies align with project objectives and launch timelines. Success in this role requires strong business judgment, ownership, and the ability to operate effectively in an ambiguous, fast-moving environment where new processes and supplier relationships are actively being built.

Key Responsibilities:

• Develop and execute sourcing strategies for capital equipment and material handling technologies.
• Build and manage supplier relationships to support facility launches and long‑term network growth.
• Lead supplier negotiations, commercial discussions, and contract execution.
• Perform cost modeling and financial analysis to identify savings opportunities and support business decisions.
• Support category management initiatives and supplier performance management.
• Evaluate supplier capabilities, capacity, risk, and long‑term viability.
• Partner with implementation teams and program managers to ensure procurement activities support launch schedules.
• Help establish procurement processes, supplier frameworks, and best practices for a growing organization.
• Identify opportunities to improve supply chain resilience, scalability, and operational efficiency.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in business, Supply Chain Management, or a related field; MBA or advanced degree preferred.
• Minimum of 7 years of experience in procurement, supply chain, or a related field, with a focus on equipment, industrial automation/robotics, CAPEX or similar complex categories.
• Proven experience in developing and executing category sourcing strategies, negotiating contracts, and managing supplier relationships.
• Demonstrated skills in building procurement and supply chain processes from scratch. Knowledge of supply agreement construction and understanding of key contracting provisions/requirements
• Cost modeling experience
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret data, identify trends, and make data‑driven decisions.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence and collaborate across multiple teams and levels. Demonstrated leadership skills, with the ability to work independently and as a leader of peers.
• Professional demeanor and ability to partner with people at every level, both internally and externally.
• Experience with procurement tools and technologies, such as e‑sourcing platforms and contract management systems.
• Experience working with technical teams (HW engineering, applied science) on new product development

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in the MHE industry, with a deep understanding of equipment procurement processes and requirements.
• Knowledge of business operations and procurement practices.
• Experience with data analytics and visualization tools to drive insights and decision‑making.
• Certification in procurement or supply chain management (e.g., CPSM, CSCP) is a plus.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract position based out of Houston, TX.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $35.00 - $42.00/hr.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following:

• Medical, dental & vision
• Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital
• 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre‑tax and Roth post‑tax contributions available
• Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)
• Short and long‑term disability
• Health Spending Account (HSA)
• Transportation benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Houston,TX.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Aug 14, 2026.

About TEKsystems

We're partners in transformation. We help clients activate ideas and solutions to take advantage of a new world of opportunity. We are a team of 80,000 strong, working with over 6,000 clients, including 80% of the Fortune 500, across North America, Europe and Asia. As an industry leader in Full-Stack Technology Services, Talent Services, and real-world application, we work with progressive leaders to drive change. That's the power of true partnership. TEKsystems is an Allegis Group company.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regards to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

About TEKsystems and TEKsystems Global Services

We’re a leading provider of business and technology services. We accelerate business transformation for our customers. Our expertise in strategy, design, execution and operations unlocks business value through a range of solutions. We’re a team of 80,000 strong, working with over 6,000 customers, including 80% of the Fortune 500 across North America, Europe and Asia, who partner with us for our scale, full-stack capabilities and speed. We’re strategic thinkers, hands‑on collaborators, helping customers capitalize on change and master the momentum of technology. We’re building tomorrow by delivering business outcomes and making positive impacts in our global communities. TEKsystems and TEKsystems Global Services are Allegis Group companies. Learn more at TEKsystems.com.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.