The Principal Category Specialist leads Procurement activities for strategic business transformation initiatives while providing ongoing category management in partnership with the assigned department. This position plays a critical role in driving sourcing, supplier negotiations, contract development, and business case analysis for high-impact projects with significant impact on the company's operational and financial performance.
Day To Day Role - Lead procurement activities supporting strategic department projects from sourcing strategy through contract execution
- Partner with other internal departments such as Logistics, Operations, and/or Finance teams to address supplier issues, service escalations, pricing requests, contract amendments, and continuous improvement opportunities
- Serve as the primary Procurement business partner for the assigned function, supporting both strategic initiatives and ongoing operational requirements
- Develop and execute negotiation strategies with specialty providers, companies, partners, and/or related suppliers
- Drive supplier selection processes including RFIs, RFPs, bid evaluations, and commercial assessments
- Build comprehensive business cases, financial analyses, and total cost of ownership models to support executive decision-making
- Partner with cross-functional teams such as Supply Chain, Logistics, Operations, Finance, Engineering, Legal, and/or Executive Leadership
- Draft, review, negotiate, and manage commercial contracts and statements of work in collaboration with Legal
- Identify and quantify cost savings, operational improvements, risk mitigation opportunities, and service enhancements
- Prepare and deliver executive-level presentations and recommendations for leadership reviews, steering committees, and board meetings
- Develop and execute category strategies for assigned department spend areas, including annual planning, market assessments, supplier performance reviews, and savings initiatives
- Provide procurement expertise and market intelligence regarding logistics industry trends, supplier capabilities, and commercial best practices
- Ensure procurement activities align with corporate governance, compliance, and risk management requirements
- Support implementation planning and supplier transition activities as needed
Core Skills and QualificationsThe Ideal Candidate Must Possess the Following:- Bachelor's degree with an emphasis in business, supply chain management, logistics, finance, engineering, or a related field of study
- Advanced experience in procurement, strategic sourcing, and supply chain
- May require advanced knowledge of transportation networks, distribution operations, freight management, and logistics cost drivers
- Experience supporting large-scale supply chain transformation or network optimization projects
- Demonstrated success leading complex sourcing initiatives and supplier negotiations
- Strong knowledge of commercial contract structures, terms and conditions, and contract risk management
- Exceptional business case development and financial modeling capabilities
- Strong commercial acumen with experience developing and executing executive-level materials
- Proven ability to communicate effectively with senior executives, including C-suite leadership and Boards of Directors
- Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills
- Ability to operate independently in a fast-paced, highly visible project environment
- Familiar with change management best practices
Preferred Skills and Qualifications - Professional certifications such as CPSM, CSCP, CPIM, PMP, or equivalent
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Benefits: Dart Container full-time employees enjoy great benefits, including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, 401(k) with company matching contributions, paid vacation, paid holidays, short-term disability, tuition assistance, product discounts and more.
