Category Manager; Direct Procurement

About Us

A career at Hitachi Rail will help create a legacy. With operations in every corner of the world, our work goes to the cutting‑edge of digital transformation and technology. From the multi‑cultural strength of our global organisation to the sustainable and innovative ways we work to bring people together, there's something for everyone to get stuck into. And that's where you come in.

Hitachi Rail is looking for an enthusiastic and self‑motivated Category Manager (Direct Procurement) to support our North American Vehicle projects based in Hagerstown, MD
. This is an exciting opportunity for a procurement professional who excels in a dynamic, fast‑paced environment and enjoys driving both strategic sourcing initiatives and operational excellence. The successful candidate will be responsible for developing category strategies, managing supplier performance, negotiating commercial agreements, and ensuring a reliable supply chain that supports our business objectives and project delivery commitments.

As Commodity Manager, the candidate will be responsible for developing and executing Category strategies for assigned Class A Categories across ongoing projects and Bids, from RFQ to contract closure phase.

• Develop and execute regional category strategies for Class A subsystems aligning with project specific requirements.
• Lead RFQ activities for assigned projects and conduct negotiation and on time execution of agreements/contracts for complex electromechanical categories.
• Liaise with internal cross functions (Engineering, Quality, Project) to perform evaluation of supplier bids. Formalize supplier selection process with bid evaluations (commercial, legal, tech, warranty).
• Review and revise contract terms and conditions for any conflicts with suppliers (e.g. payment terms, warranty, liquidated damages, RAMS Variation, escalation, claims).
• Maintain Contracts data (from Initial negotiation to termination) in Contract management tool (Jaggaer/ETQ) and commercial conditions of the contracts in SAP.
• Identify supply chain risks related to capacity, financial health, geopolitical factors, and material shortages.
• Manage relationships with key strategic suppliers, conduct supplier performance reviews and suggest and implement improvements.
• Initiate supplier claim process for the non‑performance of suppliers against contractual terms and conditions.
• Ensure procurement risk monitoring & control for the assigned local procurement activities.
• Monitoring and reporting on economic and financial figures (budgeted v/s actual savings) for each assigned category.

• Strategic sourcing
• Contract negotiation
• Supplier relationship management
• Cost modeling and should‑cost analysis
• Project procurement planning
• Risk management
• Strong communication and stakeholder management
• Advanced Excel, Power BI, and ERP proficiency

• Relevant experience in Transit railway or heavy industrial manufacturing.
• Experience with procurement of Metallic/Mechanical/electrical subsystems.
• Exposure to Contract law

• 8-10 years of procurement experience in manufacturing industry.
• Strong knowledge of Mechanical and Electrical sub‑systems, cost and price breakdowns.
• Experience in negotiating complex agreements across multiple categories.
• Ability to manage multiple categories/projects simultaneously.
• Excellent communication skills, including the ability to provide data in a concise and appropriate detail.
• IT Tools (Ms Office including advanced level Excel skills, SAP, E‑Auctions)
• Experience in Rolling stock subsystem procurement.
• Strong cost & commercial acumen.
• Drafting contract agreements and negotiation.
• Knowledge of statutory policies and organizational processes.
• Travel required:
  
  20% (Domestic and International).

• University Degree (Science, Engineering, Economics) or Equivalent Technical Background

Hitachi Rail employees enjoy a comprehensive benefits package including Competitive Pay, Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance, Short & Long Term Disability, Life & Accident Insurance, Flexible Spending Accounts, a Retirement Savings…