Category Specialist - Transport & Warehousing – North America

Category Specialist - Transport & Warehousing – North America

Job Category: Procurement

Requisition Number: CATEG
004547

• Posted :
  August 28, 2026
• Full-Time

Showing 1 location

Northwood
Northwood, OH 43619, USA

Purpose:

This position will be a member of the transportation procurement team with direct commercial responsibility for a share of the 3rd Party Transportation and Logistics spend across NSG. They will support the Category Manager for North America in delivery of agreed objectives and the financial targets set within the category, country and region; develop and implement category strategies across the given group of category responsibilities within North America to deliver optimum service to the business lines;

take a lead in certain countries for sourcing activities in the category; key purpose is to coordinate and communicate the delivery of key projects, be commercially astute and have a comprehensive technical knowledge of both the local requirements and the operational / commercial needs of the SBUs.

Essential Functions:

• Implement defined global and regional category strategies and objectives within North America within Transportation and Warehousing category.
• Support the Category Manager in developing a deep understanding of carrier financials, cost structures / models to leverage within negotiations.
• Understand and influence NSG Group requirements for the category in North America and support the Category Manager in developing a regional supply portfolio that balances transport and supply chain cost with risk and customer service.
• Participate in cross-functional category teams within NSG Group as required.
• Act as the prime commercial contact with suppliers across an area of responsibility within North America.
• Negotiate supply contracts as required, working within the constraints of the established category strategy.
• Act as the prime contact with regional business stakeholders and the expert within North America for the category in the prime areas of responsibility and support associated change programmes.
• Support/lead initiatives together with suppliers and internal logistics and supply chain personnel to deliver cost reduction, cash generation and mitigate supply risk within the region, as agreed with the Category Manager.
• Support/lead supplier rationalisation programmes within the category in the region as appropriate.
• Accountable for creating and achieving cost savings, cash flow improvements, capacity security, service performance, quality targets and ensure all savings are fully reported consistently within established Group reporting mechanisms.
• Support/lead the resolution of key commodity quality and supply issues within Japan ensuring appropriate Key Performance Indicators are provided and targets are delivered.
• Undertake any specific cross-regional projects within the area of category responsibility.
• Establishes alternative specifications, supply options and innovation across the services covered whilst protecting NSG from risk exposure and establishing a sustainable supply chain.
• Identifies and implements significant bottom-line cost savings, as well as introducing company-wide best-practice processes to drive maximum value from operational budgets and the supply base.
• Ensure the Group scale is leveraged, aggregating all volumes across functions/business units, rationalising the supply base, moving to more standard specifications across the addressable spend
• Adherence to NSG/Pilkington Standards of Business Conduct and its Values and Principles
• Other duties as assigned by manager

Top 3 Competencies Needed for Success in the Role:

• Results
  - Passion for Excellence
• People
  - Influential

Qualifications

Required:

• Bachelor’s degree required in Supply Chain Management or related field or relevant experience.
• Possess solid experience within a similar level Procurement role with cross-category expertise ideally within either Distribution / Logistics / Services or Direct Strategic Materials.
• Lead by example as a key driver of change thinking and project execution, working closely with stakeholders to secure value and advantage for NSG together with our key suppliers.
• Supply market cost…