Category Specialist

Role Overview

Category Specialist at Hitachi Energy Ltd, based in Dammam, Eastern Region, Saudi Arabia. Full-time position, on-site.

Company Overview

Hitachi Energy is a global energy technology company operating regional business units across multiple geographies.

Role Purpose

To lead procurement strategy and execution for defined material groups, implementing Supply Chain Management practices and supplier performance management to achieve timely availability, cost savings, quality, and service level objectives across regional and global operations.

Key Responsibilities

Supply Chain Management Strategy

• Implement and maintain compliance with SCM practices, including Strategic Sourcing, Process & Excellence, Risk Management, Supply Base Management, and Quality.
• Design and implement plans for local sources to reach business targets.
• Support regional and global sourcing initiatives as required.
• Drive implementation of global SCM initiatives and monitor performance against global SCM Key Performance Indicators.
• Leverage the Continuous Improvement Process Sourcing (CIPS) process to initiate operational excellence and improve supplier performance.

Supplier and Material Management

• Support development and implementation of regional and global sourcing strategies in alignment with regional and global Category Managers.
• Develop SCM sourcing concepts, including supplier numbers, supplier types, make-or-buy comparisons, cost scenarios, and new materials.
• Conduct supplier identification, selection, and evaluation in coordination with Category Managers and Supplier Quality Engineers.
• Identify need for new supplier developments for critical materials.
• Coordinate and implement sourcing strategies to identify, analyze, evaluate, audit, and monitor suppliers.
• Manage Supplier Performance Evaluation (SPE) results and cost targets in new developments.

Supplier Relationship and Performance

• Manage relationships with key suppliers to ensure timely delivery, quality, and compliance with contractual terms.
• Oversee supplier performance on on-time delivery, quality, and lead time.
• Resolve supplier performance issues promptly.

Contract and Procurement Operations

• Conduct all SCM activities for goods and services in accordance with policies and procedures.
• Adapt the corporate contractual framework to local business needs.
• Recommend frame agreements to management and execute upon approval.
• Support bid and proposal teams by providing relevant market information.

Strategic Sourcing and Innovation

• Plan, initialize, and monitor strategic sourcing activities for projects, new product developments, and early involvement of key suppliers.
• Address design-to-cost aspects in strategic sourcing planning.

Stakeholder Collaboration and Compliance

• Collaborate with internal stakeholders such as engineering, planning, and fulfillment to secure material availability in production.
• Apply standards on health, safety, environment, and business ethics within operational work, contract management, and negotiations.
• Ensure compliance with applicable external and internal regulations, procedures, and guidelines.
• Live Hitachi Energy's core values of safety and integrity, taking responsibility for your own actions while caring for colleagues and the business.
• Share sourcing concepts with relevant stakeholders and agree on actions, responsibilities, and deadlines.

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor's degree or above in Engineering, Economics, Business Administration, Supply Chain Management, or equivalent work experience.
• Minimum 10 years of working experience in Engineering, Purchasing, and Supply Chain Management.
• CPSM or PMP certifications preferred.

Skills & Competencies

• Collaborative and solutions-oriented approach.
• Strong communication skills, both spoken and written in English.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to influence and persuade.
• Results orientation with proven implementation skills.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks efficiently daily.
• Compliance and ethics oriented.
• SAP experience preferred.
• Documentation Management Systems experience preferred.
• Power BI experience preferred.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office preferred.

Additional Information

• Full-time employment.
• On-site role; remote work not available.
• Flexibility to travel up to 15%.
• Job ID: R0146837.
• Date Posted: 2026-10-04.
• Profession Category: Customer Service & Contact Center Operations.
• Pre-employment background checks conducted, including verification of employment history, education, and criminal records, in accordance with applicable laws. Additional background or security screenings may be required for roles involving access to sensitive information, financial responsibilities, client data, or security-sensitive functions.
• Qualified individuals with a disability may request reasonable accommodation during the job application process.
• Candidate data is processed in accordance with applicable data protection and employment laws as well as Hitachi's Global Data Privacy Notice.