Lead Category Specialist

Job Summary The Lead Category Specialist – Supply Chain is a senior-level individual contributor responsible for owning the analytical strategy and performance optimization of assigned product categories. This role serves as a thought leader within the supply chain organization, driving complex analysis, leading cross-functional initiatives, and influencing strategic decisions. The Lead Category Specialist partners closely with planning, logistics, operations, and finance to ensure category strategies are data-driven, scalable, and aligned with enterprise goals.

• Own end-to-end category performance analysis, identifying opportunities for cost reduction, service improvement, and operational efficiency.
• Serve as the primary analytical resource for high-impact projects, including inventory optimization, demand variability analysis, and supply chain risk mitigation.
• Lead cross-functional working groups and initiatives, ensuring alignment and execution of category strategies.
• Mentor and coach junior and senior team members , fostering analytical excellence and knowledge sharing.
• Act as a strategic advisor to senior leadership, presenting insights and recommendations that shape category direction and investment.
• High impact communicator and story teller.
• Ability to utilize data and insights to form a story that drives value.
• Ability to communication with senior leaders across the business.
• Leads strategic sourcing and RFx events for large and complex projects.
• Subject matter expert in strategic sourcing for assigned categories.
• Develops spend/performance and external market analyses to monitor category performance and identify performance improvement opportunities.
• Developing spend and savings/performance improvement forecasts to monitor progress and ensure goals are achieved.
• Collaborating with stakeholder groups to develop consensus on the appropriate category plans and priorities.
• Initiates and leads performance and process improvement initiatives defined by the category plan including strategic sourcing and other initiatives in support of supply chain excellence.
• Establishing, leading/facilitating and supporting cross functional strategic sourcing/performance improvement teams as needed/prescribed by category plans to achieve savings and performance targets (e.g. reduce cost, improve quality and result in a lower total cost of ownership, meeting supplier diversity goals).
• Partners with contracting specialists to develop and execute negotiation plans for large and complex deals.
• Manages supplier relationships including developing material and conducting Quarterly Business Reviews with critical suppliers and NiSource Executive Sponsors.
• Develops successful partnerships with key stakeholders / business partners to achieve desired results.
• Developing and managing cross-functional category management and strategic sourcing teams as needed.
• Encompasses duties of Category Specialist & Sr Category Specialist.
• Other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications For Position Bachelor's Degree

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Supply Chain Management, Law, or related field (JD or Master’s preferred) or 4+ years of experience
• 4-6 years
• 5+ years of experience in contract management or procurement, preferably within a supply chain environment.
• Experience leading cross-functional teams
• Ability to influence and drive results independently.
• Demonstrates deep knowledge and experience within assigned spend management responsibilities
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Proven track record to deliver results and achieve goals
• Demonstrated ability to develop effective working relationships with others
• Ability to build support and consensus
• Proven financial acumen and analytical abilities
• Demonstrated experience in category…