Category Specialist

About the Role

Hitachi is seeking a Category Specialist to join its team in Dammam, Saudi Arabia. This full-time role involves implementing and adhering to Supply Chain Management (SCM) strategies and processes, with a focus on ensuring material availability, delivery performance, and cost competitiveness through factory follow-ups. The specialist will lead the procurement process for defined material groups, aiming to achieve timely availability, cost savings, quality, and service level objectives.

Key Responsibilities

• Implement and support SCM practices, including Strategic Sourcing, Process & Excellence, Risk Management, Supply Base Management & Quality.
• Design and execute plans for local sources to meet business targets, supporting regional and global sourcing initiatives.
• Drive the implementation of global SCM initiatives and monitor performance against global SCM Key Performance Indicators (KPIs).
• Identify and select suppliers/materials, supporting the development and implementation of regional/global sourcing strategies in alignment with Category Managers.
• Develop SCM sourcing concepts, including determining the number and type of suppliers, conducting make-or-buy comparisons, analyzing cost scenarios, and evaluating new materials.
• Collaborate with Category Managers and Supplier Quality Engineers for supplier selection and identify needs for new supplier developments for critical materials.
• Coordinate and implement sourcing strategies to identify, analyze, evaluate, audit, and monitor suppliers.
• Manage contracts by adapting the corporate contractual framework to local business needs and recommend frame agreements to management for approval.
• Plan, initiate, and monitor strategic sourcing activities for projects, new product developments, early involvement of key suppliers, and design-to-cost aspects.
• Leverage the Continuous Improvement Process Sourcing (CIPS) process to initiate and improve operational excellence and supplier performance.
• Manage Supplier Performance Evaluation (SPE) results and cost targets in new developments.
• Oversee supplier performance (on-time delivery, quality, lead time) and resolve performance issues.
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders such as engineering, planning, and fulfillment to secure material availability in production.
• Ensure compliance with applicable external and internal regulations, procedures, and guidelines, applying standards on health, safety, environment, and business ethics.

Qualifications and Experience

• A minimum of 10 years of experience in a relevant field.
• Demonstrated results orientation with proven implementation skills.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks efficiently on a daily basis.
• Compliance and ethics oriented.
• Flexibility to travel up to 15%.

Required Skills

• Collaborative, solutions-oriented approach.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, including the ability to influence and persuade.

Work Environment

This role is based in Dammam, Saudi Arabia, within the Hitachi Energy business. The successful candidate will operate within a framework that values safety and integrity, taking responsibility for their actions while caring for colleagues and the business.