Senior Category Specialist

Do you enjoy being involved in procurement for manufacturing and new product development? Hypertherm Associates is looking for a Senior Category Specialist with experience supporting procurement of industrial materials and equipment including electronics, tooling, and capital equipment to join our team in Hanover, NH.  

In this role, your supply chain experience will be utilized to assess and mitigate risk, manage supplier relationships and performance, support new product introduction (NPI) activities, cultivate and execute cost savings initiatives, and execute projects.

Join our unique business where you'll find plenty of opportunities to showcase your strengths, learn new skills, and drive process and procurement improvements. If you're ready to make a real impact, we want you on our team!

As a Senior Category Specialist, you will:

• Ensure continuous material supply while optimizing cost, quality, and risk

• Manage supplier pricing for assigned categories and support delivery and inventory escalations

• Drive sourcing and category strategy through supplier performance analysis

• Execute cost‑reduction initiatives for current operations and future programs

• Deliver annual savings targets and incremental value beyond plan

• Negotiate and govern purchase agreements and purchase order execution

• Enforce contract compliance and resolve pricing and invoicing variances

• Execute ECOs for design change impact on supply as well as manage end‑of‑life parts and minimize fiscal exposure

• Lead multi‑year (1–3 year) cost and value‑creation initiatives

• Lead cross‑functional and supplier efforts supporting cost savings and NPI

Who you are and the experience you will bring:

• A Bachelor’s Degree in a related discipline with 15+ yearssupply chain experience

• Proven analytical skills (cost/benefit analysis, make/buy decision-modeling, etc.)

• Strong written and verbal presentation and communication skills

• Proven experience in contract development and negotiation skills

• Strong attention to detail

• Ability to train/mentor others on Lean concepts

• Develop and create strategic direction

Preferred experience to differentiate you:

• ISM and/or APICS certification

• Green/Black Belt Certified

• Knowledge of Lean/JIT Methodology

• Knowledge of Purchasing modules in Oracle or similar ERP system

Location: Onsite in Hanover, NH

Travel: 10% domestic with potential for international

Why join Hypertherm Associates?

• Global, 100% employee-owned company for over 55 years

• Profit-Sharing

• Employee Stock Ownership

• Five days/year Community Service Time

• Strong commitment to Environmental Stewardship

• Stable, growing organization with a no-layoff philosophy

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