Sr. Category Specialist

Balazs; Houston, Northern (TX, KY); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision coverage

401(k) with company match

Paid holidays and vacation

Job summary

Airgas, an Air Liquide company, is seeking a Sr. Category Specialist in Houston, TX to develop category strategies and manage supplier governance. You will lead sourcing events, direct contract negotiations, and drive continuous improvement in supplier performance.

The role requires a Bachelor’s degree in business-related field and at least 5 years of procurement experience, with strong analytical and negotiation skills, and U.S. employment authorization.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in finance, accounting, or business required.
• Minimum 5 years of progressive procurement experience for Sr. Category Specialist.
• Experience with supplier governance and category management preferred.
• U.S. employment authorization required; visa sponsorship not provided.

Responsibilities

• Create and implement category strategies and business plans to drive value and Total Cost of Ownership.
• Lead strategic sourcing events and manage contracts from negotiation to renewal.
• Govern supplier performance and ensure compliance with internal policies and regulatory requirements.
• Collaborate with stakeholders on demand planning and align with regulatory and policy standards.

Skills

Strategic sourcing

Contract negotiation

Supplier governance

Demand planning

Stakeholder management

Regulatory compliance

Analytical thinking

Influence strategies

Education

Bachelor's degree in finance, accounting, or business

Job description

## Sr. Category SpecialistApplylocations: Houston, TX (HO) - Procurement - Hub: Houston, TX (HO) - Support functions - Hub Corporatetime type: Full timeposted on: Posted Todayjob requisition id: R10098193R10098193 Sr. Category Specialist (Open)Location:Houston, TX (HO) - Support functions - Hub Corporate## How will you CONTRIBUTE and GROW?We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace that embraces the unique perspectives of our employees, our customers, patients, community stakeholders, and cultures across the world. We believe that a variety of backgrounds makes our team stronger and more innovative.At Air Liquide we ****RESPECT, HONOR** and **VALUE**** diversity.Air Liquide is hiring for a Sr. Category Specialist in Houston, TX.We are looking for you!****Comprehensive Family Benefits**:** Air Liquide offers a full benefits package designed to support your whole life, including Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, AD&D, and Disability Insurance. ****Future Security:**** 401(k) Retirement Plan with company match, Tuition Assistance, Paid Holidays, Vacation, and Sick time. ****Early Access:**** Your benefits start on the first day of employment.Responsible for the governance and operational performance of Suppliers, driving continuous improvement. Creates and deploys short and long-term category strategies. Manages spend, including strategic sourcing, contract negotiation and management, commercial negotiations, supplier relationship management support, demand planning, and customer interface. Assists in the development and deployment of Category Management strategies.**Job Responsibilities:*** Creates and implements category strategies and business plans to create sustainable value and Total Cost of Ownership Strategy Development:* Guides and facilitates strategic sourcing events and nurtures the lifecycle of agreements and frame contracts Sourcing & Contracting:* Builds alignment on commercial terms and legal conditions while integrating market insights to identify savings and ensure stability Negotiation:* Fosters supplier growth and excellence through the development of meaningful indicators, periodic business reviews, and continuous improvement plans Supplier Governance:* Stakeholder & Compliance: Partners with internal stakeholders on demand planning and supports alignment with all regulatory requirements and internal policies## \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_## ## Are you a MATCH?**Required Qualifications*** Candidates must have valid employment authorization in the U.S. and must not require visa sponsorship now or in the future. This position is not open for non-immigrant visa sponsorship.* Experience Level: The Sr. Category Specialist requires a minimum of 5 years of progressive experience, whereas the Category Specialist requires only 2-3 years* Bachelor's degree in finance, accounting, or other business related fields required* Strategic Responsibility: The Sr. Specialist is expected to "create and deploy" short and long-term category strategies. In contrast, the Specialist primarily "assists" managers and team members in developing these strategies* Supplier Governance: The Sr. Specialist has a specific mandate for the "governance and operational performance of Suppliers" and driving continuous improvement. The Specialist focuses more generally on proactive spend management and providing support* Competency Proficiency: The Sr. Specialist requires higher-level behaviors within their key competencies, such as "Making Complex Plans" (Analytical Thinking) and "Using complex influence strategies" (Impact and Influence), indicating a need for greater autonomy and sophistication in execution.**Preferred Qualifications:*** Prior industrial gas experience\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_**Benefits**We care about and support our Airgas Families. This is evident not only through our competitive compensation but also through a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical, dental, and vision plans, short-term and long-term disability, life and accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) insurance, Employee Assistance Program (EAP), pre-tax commuter transportation benefit, parental leave, vacation, sick time, floating holidays, jury duty and funeral/bereavement leave, and paid holidays for all eligible full-time employees.Additionally, we offer our eligible employees a 401k plan with company matching funds, tuition reimbursement, discounted college tuition for eligible employees’ dependents, and an Airgas Scholarship Program for dependent children.Associates who are members of collective bargaining units should review their bargaining agreement to determine whether they are eligible for some or all of the benefits described here and to see any special terms or conditions for eligibility.\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_**Your DIFFERENCES enhance our PERFORMANCE**At Airgas, we are committed to building a workplace that embraces the diversity of our employees, our customers, patients, community stakeholders and cultures across the world.We welcome and consider applications from all qualified applicants, regardless of their race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, disability or any other protected characteristic. We strongly believe a diverse organization opens up opportunities for people to express their talent, both individually and collectively and it helps foster our ability to innovate by living our fundamentals, acting for our success and creating an engaging environment in a changing world.\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_**About Airgas**Airgas, an Air Liquide company, is a leading U.S. supplier of industrial, medical and specialty gases, as well as hardgoods and related products; one of the largest U.S. suppliers of safety products; and a leading U.S. supplier of ammonia products and process chemicals. Through the passion and diversity of its 18,000 associates, Airgas fosters a culture of safety, customer success, sustainability and innovation. Airgas associates are empowered to share ideas, take initiative and make decisions.Airgas is a subsidiary of Air Liquide, a world leader in gases, technologies and services for industry and healthcare. Present in 60 countries with approximately 66,500 employees, Air Liquide serves more than 4 million customers and patients.Join us for a stimulating experience: At Airgas, you matter and so does the work you do. As a member of our team, you play an important role in the success of your team, making sure our products are created sustainably and delivered safely and efficiently. In turn, you’ll find a welcoming workplace where you’re valued for who you are and where you can fill your potential while growing a fulfilling career — whatever path you choose.\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_**Equal Employment Opportunity Information**We are an equal opportunity employer. We welcome all qualified applicants regardless of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic. Airgas, an Air Liquide Company is a Government contractor subject to the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act of 1974 and Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Airgas does not discriminate against qualified applicants with disabilities, and is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to the known disabilities of such individuals so as to ensure equal access to benefits and privileges of employment. If you are an individual with a disability and would like to request a reasonable accommodation as part of the employment selection process, please contact us by email at [e-mail].\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_