Category Specialist - Procurement and Supply Chain

About the role

The Analytics site in Quebec City (Pierre-Ardouin site) is recruiting a Category Specialist for Procurement and Supply, focused on strategic sourcing of mechanical commodities that support ABB Canada's manufacturing operations. The role works closely with Engineering, Manufacturing, Planning, Quality, Logistics teams and suppliers to ensure a continuous supply of mechanical components while meeting cost, quality, delivery and sustainability objectives. It supports ABB Canada's Automation, Measurement & Analytics division and is based in Quebec City, with a hybrid model of three days per week on site.

Key responsibilities

• Develop and implement category strategies for mechanical components such as machined parts, castings, forgings, sheet metal, fabricated assemblies, molded plastics, enclosures and hardware.
• Lead RFQs, supplier evaluations, commercial negotiations and contract management, and conduct market research on trends, prices and new supplier opportunities.
• Build relationships with strategic suppliers and monitor them by KPIs such as quality, on-time delivery, responsiveness, cost competitiveness and production capacity.
• Identify cost reduction opportunities through supplier competition, negotiations, value engineering and should-cost analysis.
• Identify and mitigate supply chain risks (capacity, raw materials, geopolitics, long lead times, single sources) and develop contingency plans.
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives, including digital tools to increase visibility of spend with lower-tier suppliers.
• Collaborate with Engineering, Manufacturing, Planning, Quality, Logistics and global counterparts, and support Engineering Change Orders, supplier changes and lifecycle management.
• Manage supplier development, corrective actions and performance reviews with the Supplier Quality team, and define standard local agreements and contract terms.
• Ensure compliance with ABB policies and prepare reports on supplier performance, cost savings and supply chain risks.

Required profile

• Bachelor's or master's degree in Engineering, Production or Operations Management, Supply Chain Management or a related field.
• Minimum of 10 years of experience in strategic sourcing, procurement or category management in a manufacturing or industrial environment.
• Fluency in French and English; English needed to communicate with suppliers and stakeholders outside Quebec.
• Experience sourcing mechanical commodities and developing category strategies and negotiating commercial agreements.
• Ability to read technical drawings, technical specifications and Bills of Materials (BOMs).

Required skills

• Strong understanding of mechanical manufacturing processes (machining, fabrication, stamping, casting, injection molding, welding, assembly)
• Experience leading supplier negotiations, cost reduction initiatives and supplier performance improvement programs
• Analytical, negotiation, project management and stakeholder management skills
• ERP systems (SAP is an asset) and Microsoft Office, especially Excel