Senior Indirect Category Specialist Technical MRO & Plant Services

CoorsTek; Clarksville (TN); On-site; USD 92,000 - 121,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid Time Off

Medical, Dental, Vision Benefits

Company-Matched 401K (USA)

HSA (Health Savings Account)

Wellness Reimbursement Program

Performance-Based Bonuses

Job summary

CoorsTek is seeking a Senior Indirect Category Specialist to lead category strategies for technical MRO, maintenance services, tooling and other indirect areas. You will drive supplier qualification, RFx events, and strategic sourcing across multiple sites, partnering with Engineering and Operations to ensure reliability and cost efficiency.

The role requires strong supplier management, TCO focus, and global procurement governance.

Qualifications

• Strong category management and strategic sourcing capabilities.
• Advanced spend analysis, supplier analysis, and market assessment skills.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills with the ability to influence stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute category strategies for technical MRO, maintenance services and other indirect categories.
• Lead strategic sourcing initiatives including market analysis, supplier identification, RFx development, negotiations, and contracting.
• Partner with Engineering, Maintenance, Operations and Plant Leadership to ensure supply Continuity and performance.

Skills

Category management

Spend analysis

Negotiation

Communication & presentation

Education

Bachelor's degree in SCM/Business/Engineering

Tools

RFx processes

Job description

It's exciting to work for a company that makes the world measurably better.We're committed to bringing safety, quality, and customer focus to the business of advanced ceramics manufacturing.

Job Title: Senior Indirect Category Specialist Technical MRO & Plant Services

The Senior Indirect Category Specialist, TechnicalMRO&Plant Services is responsible for developing and executing category strategies across technical MRO, maintenance services, production tooling, refractory products, engineered consumables, and other indirect categories, requiring cross‑functional qualification and implementation.This role serves as the link between Procurement, Engineering, Maintenance, Operations, and Plant Leadership to identify sourcing opportunities, qualify supplier alternatives, and drive adoption of enterprise sourcing strategies.

The position is responsible for transforming fragmented plant-level spend into managed categories through supplier segmentation, category roadmaps, sourcing initiatives, qualification programs, and performance management.

The role leads strategic sourcing projects focused on total cost of ownership, supply continuity, equipment reliability, and operational performance.

We are an ITAR Regulated Company and to be considered for Employment with us you must be either a US Citizen or Lawful Permanent Resident.

This role is Onsite at our Golden, CO Global Headquarters location.

Roles and Responsibilities

Category Strategy & Portfolio Management

Develop and execute category strategies for technical MRO, maintenance services, production tooling, refractory products, engineered consumables, and other assigned indirect categories.Create category roadmaps that improve supplier performance, reduce cost, mitigate risk, and support operational reliability.Build and maintain category taxonomies, supplier segmentation models, opportunity pipelines, and sourcing roadmaps.Identify, prioritize, and execute strategic sourcing opportunities, across multi‑site and global operations.Analyze internal and external data sources to identify opportunities for cost reduction, specification harmonization, supplier consolidation, and supply chain optimization.

Strategic Sourcing & Supplier Development

Lead strategic sourcing initiatives including market analysis, supplier identification, RFx development, negotiations, supplier selection, contracting, and implementation.Develop qualified‑source strategies for technical and operationally critical categories.Lead supplier qualification programs, controlled trials, and validation activities, in partnership with Engineering and Operations.Establish and maintain supplier performance scorecards, business reviews, and continuous improvement programs.Evaluate supplier capabilities, cost structures, technical performance, capacity, risk, and geographic exposure.

Technical MRO & Plant Integration

Partner with Engineering, Maintenance, Operations, and plant leadership to understand equipment, process, and material requirements.Develop qualified alternative sourcing strategies that protect performance, quality, reliability, and supply continuity.Lead implementation of sourcing decisions through site engagement, change management, training, and performance monitoring.Establish governance processes supporting specification management, supplier qualification, approval workflows, and category compliance.Drive enterprise adoption of approved suppliers, contracts, and category strategies, across multiple manufacturing sites.

Performance & Value Management

Measure category performance using total cost of ownership methodologies.Track and report savings, contract coverage, supplier performance, compliance, working capital improvements, and risk mitigation results.Present results, business cases, sourcing strategies, and recommendations to senior leadership.

Risk Management & Compliance

Monitor supply markets, geopolitical events, commodities, regulations, and supplier risks, affecting assigned categories.Develop and execute supply continuity and risk mitigation plans.Lead supplier compliance initiatives, including regulatory requirements, customer flow‑down requirements, supplier codes of conduct, and responsible sourcing activities.Support global procurement governance and category management best practices.

Education

Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Engineering, Operations Management, or a related field.Equivalent combination of education and relevant experience may be considered.

Experience Required

Minimum 5 years of strategic sourcing, procurement, category management, or supply chain experience.Minimum 3 years supporting industrial manufacturing environments.Experience leading RFx events, supplier negotiations, contract management, and sourcing implementations.Experience managing complex multi‑site sourcing projects.

Preferred

7 to 10 years of strategic sourcing or category management experience.Experience in technical MRO, maintenance services, tooling, abrasives, refractory materials, engineered consumables, industrial distribution, or manufacturing support services.Experience partnering with Engineering, Maintenance, and Operations teams.Experience developing category strategies from fragmented or decentralized spend environments.Experience leading supplier qualification programs, technical evaluations, and supplier trials.Global or multi‑plant manufacturing experience.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

Strong category management and strategic sourcing capabilities.Advanced spend analysis, supplier analysis, and market assessment skills.Ability to develop sourcing strategies based on total cost of ownership principles.Understanding of equipment reliability, manufacturing processes, maintenance operations, and technical supplier management.Strong analytical, negotiation, project management, and problem‑solving skills.Ability to build credibility with Engineering, Maintenance, Operations, and Plant Leadership.Excellent communication and presentation skills with the ability to influence stakeholders across all organizational levels.Ability independently prioritize and manage multiple complex initiatives simultaneously.

Preferred Certifications

CPSM CIPS APICS / ASCM Lean Six Sigma Engineering or technical manufacturing background.

Target Hiring Range Annual Salary

Annual Salary: USD 92,000.00 - USD 121,440.00.Actual compensation is commensurate with experience, skills and education.

CoorsTek strives to give all qualified applicants equal opportunity and to make selection decisions on job related factors.

Do not provide any information on the application which will indicate your race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, pregnancy, genetic information, veteran status, or any other status protected by law or regulation.

CoorsTek strives to give all qualified applicants equal opportunity and to make selection decisions on job related factors.

If you like working for a company that makes a real difference in the world, you’ll enjoy your career with us!

About Us: Making the world measurably better…one person at a time.

CoorsTek products and components touch people’s lives in unexpected, awe‑inspiring ways.Though most people may not realize it, CoorsTek components enable technological solutions across virtually every industry—from simple items like beverage dispensers and light switches to high‑tech items like cell phones and satellites.Chances are, you are using a CoorsTek‑enabled technology every day without even knowing it!We create these amazing solutions by leveraging our expertise in materials science, deploying best‑in‑class R&D capabilities, and by creating efficient, safe work environments.Most importantly, we employ dedicated, hardworking, and creative individuals.The key component to our success is our people.

Benefits

• Paid Time Off
• Medical, Dental, Vision Benefits
• Company-Matched 401K (USA only)
• Company-Matched Pension Plan (CANADA only)
• HSA (Health Savings Account) with Company Contribution
• Wellness Reimbursement Program (USA only)
• Voluntary Benefits (Pet Insurance, Legal Insurance, Accident Insurance, Critical Illness Insurance & more) (USA only)
• Safety Programs (reimbursement for safety shoes and company provided safety glasses)
• Performance-Based Bonuses for all Employees
• Employee Recognition Programs
• Mentorship Program
• Community & Volunteer Events & MORE!