Category Specialist 2

We are seeking a dedicated and experienced Procurement Category Specialist 2 to join our collaborative procurement team. This position will play a vital role in supporting our procurement processes, fostering supplier relationships, and contributing to cost-effective procurement within specific categories and in support of Category Managers. The expertise of this position will directly contribute to the overall efficiency of our organization.

• Contract Support: Assist in drafting, reviewing, and managing supplier contracts and agreements. Ensure compliance with legal and regulatory requirements under the guidance of senior team members.
• Collaboration: Work closely with internal stakeholders such as operations, finance, legal, and supply chain teams to ensure alignment of procurement strategies with overall business goals.
• Market Insights: Stay informed about industry trends, market dynamics, and emerging technologies relevant to assigned categories. Contribute to risk and opportunity assessments.

**Other Supporting Responsibilities**
Gather and analyze data through various Cook company platforms
Support Supplier Risk Dashboard
Support Global Backorder meetings
Manage and support Global Procurement Sharepoint Site
Liaise with Assent and Oracle program teams as needed

• Category Support: Provide essential support for assigned procurement categories, assisting in market research, and contributing to the development of comprehensive category strategies aligned with our organization's objectives.
• Supplier Relationship Support: Collaborate with the team to build and nurture strong relationships with suppliers. Assist in contract negotiations, terms, and conditions to ensure favorable pricing, quality, and delivery.
• Sourcing Assistance: Assist in strategic sourcing activities, including RFIs, RFPs, and supplier evaluations. Help identify and evaluate potential suppliers to optimize costs and quality.
• Cost Management: Support the identification of cost-saving opportunities through data analysis and market insights. Contribute to the implementation of strategies for procurement cost reduction.
• Risk Awareness: Contribute to identifying potential supply chain risks and support global risk assessment of suppliers

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience and 2-4 years of experience within Procurement
• Proficient in Microsoft Office (Outlook, OneNote, OneDrive, Excel, Word PowerPoint)
• Professional certifications such as Certified Professional in Supply Management (CPSM) or similar are a plus.

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills for effective engagement with internal stakeholders and suppliers.
• Basic proficiency in procurement software and tools; familiarity with ERP systems is desirable.
• Basic negotiation skills to contribute to positive outcomes.