Category Specialist – Procurement

About the role

The Category Specialist will lead procurement activities across a portfolio of goods and services, using a full range of sourcing methods. You will be responsible for developing strategies, managing supplier relationships, and ensuring compliance with contractual obligations while delivering cost savings and quality outcomes.

Key responsibilities

• Gather and analyze contract expenditure data to identify savings opportunities.
• Conduct market research, benchmarking, and develop solicitation specifications.
• Execute various solicitation methods including RFP, RFQ, competitive and non‑competitive negotiations, and informal purchases.
• Build and manage relationships with agency procurement staff, central teams, and key suppliers.
• Oversee supplier performance, contract compliance, and dispute resolution.
• Lead formal supplier negotiations and support procurement staff in similar activities.
• Develop tools to forecast, calculate, and report savings; manage evaluation teams.
• Conduct regular business reviews with suppliers to discuss performance, contract enhancements, and price adjustments.
• Represent the central procurement office at public events and stakeholder meetings.
• Analyze pricing against historical costs, state contracts, and industry indices.

Required profile

• Proven experience in procurement, supplier and contract management.
• Strong analytical skills for data and spend analysis.
• Ability to solve complex problems and navigate diverse agency requirements.
• Excellent knowledge of procurement policies, procedures, and solicitation strategies.
• Effective communication and negotiation abilities.

Required skills

What we offer

• Opportunity to work on high‑impact procurement projects.
• Collaborative environment with access to resources and professional development.
• Exposure to public‑sector procurement processes and strategic sourcing.