Category Specialist; CC&P and Business Support

JOB PURPOSE / OBJECTIVE

Execute the category procurement strategy by conducting strategic sourcing initiatives, managing supplier relationships, implementing best practices for procurement activities, negotiating framework agreements and handling Contract Administration (post award) process. Collaborate with end users and suppliers to identify cost‑saving initiatives or levers for category procurement. Handle high‑value purchase orders not under framework agreement.

• Develop technical and commercial expertise in the procurement category, define clear category spend and preferred supplier policies, and implement category strategy ensuring compliance with applicable policies and procedures.
• Update taxonomy and service masters, including new items and clarifying end‑user doubts regarding taxonomy/masters usage.
• Handle discrepancies in contract terms and conditions (coordinate with Senior Category Specialist when relevant).
• Maintain taxonomy and service primaries, including new items and clarifying end‑user doubts regarding taxonomy/masters usage.
• Support monitoring and reporting of KPIs and generation of improvement actions.

• Continuously analyse and evaluate internal and external factors to derive inputs for category management.
• Assist in the development of short‑, mid‑, and long‑term demand forecasts for relevant products and services in cooperation with Maintenance, Finance, and Strategic Procurement teams.
• Provide market insights (e.g., trends and cost information) to support long‑term forecasts and predictions.
• Assist in developing category strategies and plans, providing in‑depth category knowledge and aligning with stakeholders based on supply and demand power.
• Recommend levers for each sub‑category to extract maximum value from procurement spend, covering non‑commercial levers like specification improvement and partnerships.
• Execute category strategies of managed L3 categories per the annual plan, including framework agreements, price renegotiation, and initiative studies.
• Conduct category risk management, identify potential risks, and develop mitigation plans.
• Support achieving critical success factors and KPIs in long‑term supply agreements and development of Category Management Objectives.

• Conduct sourcing projects (preparation and review of consistent RFPs, pricing, terms, contract drafting, and management, supplier relationship management).
• Develop supplier portfolios for strategic sourcing initiatives based on market research and detailed profiling that match Q Chem requirements and goals.
• Manage tenders and other sourcing initiatives ensuring compliance with all procedures, policies, and legal requirements.
• Conduct supplier selection in close cooperation with stakeholders according to policies and procedures.
• Develop contracts and templates for L4 categories with support from legal.
• Develop negotiation strategies and conduct contract negotiations in line with policies and procedures.
• Integrate new suppliers into operations and manage supplier transition.
• Provide visibility on strategic sourcing progress to end users.

• Define base requirements and supplier qualification criteria.
• Draft Supplier Relationship Management plans for all suppliers.
• Conduct supplier relationship management following guidelines from the head of strategic procurement.
• Develop strategic relationships with suppliers.
• Conduct performance evaluation of vendors to identify improvement measures (define criteria, KPIs, targets, measure performance, provide feedback, develop suppliers).
• Maintain risk register and basic data on contractor performance for day‑to‑day decision making.
• Facilitate communication between Q‑Chem and suppliers, act as an escalation point, and aid in resolving performance issues.
• Coordinate discrepancies in contract terms and conditions.
• Conduct the Contracts Administration (post award) process, including variations, claims, and disputes.

• Stay open to feedback and act diligently on areas for development.
• Take full advantage of offered training.
• Participate in the…