Category Management Specialist

ABOUT US:

Startec Compression & Process is dedicated to providing innovative solutions to meet your unique challenges and opportunities.  We are an integrated project and engineering equipment fabricator specializing in the modularized design and packaging of process, refrigeration, and rotating equipment solutions. Most of our solutions are related to Energy Transition and carbon reduction industries.

BEHAVIORAL ASSESSMENT:

All applicants must complete the Traits and Behaviors Assessment below when submitting their application. Please proceed using the link:

POSITION OVERVIEW:

Startec Compression & Process is currently recruiting for a Category Management Specialist to work at our Glenmore Office (Suite 240, 4000 Glenmore Court SE, Calgary, AB T2C 5R8) . The Category Management Specialist is accountable for the end-to-end ownership of assigned procurement categories, including category strategy development, supplier portfolio management, and value delivery across cost, risk, performance, and continuity of supply.

Working within Startec’s fabrication and project-based operating environment, the role leads category development and strategic sourcing initiatives that support supply reliability, supplier performance, and long-term business value across materials, equipment, and services.

The Category Management Specialist analyzes spend and market data, develops and executes category strategies, and collaborates closely with Engineering, Projects, Operations, and Finance to improve procurement effectiveness and mitigate supply risk. Category assignments are rotational every 2–3 years to build enterprise capability, support knowledge transfer, and strengthen supply chain resilience.

KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS (KPI)

INITIAL CATEGORY ASSIGNMENT

Pipe, Flanges & Fittings (PFF) / Structural Steel

The Category Management Specialist will have initial ownership of the Pipe, Flanges & Fittings and Structural Steel categories, with accountability for:

• Developing and executing category strategies aligned with Startec’s fabrication, project, and operational requirements.
• Managing the approved and preferred supplier base within the category, including supplier selection, performance management, and risk mitigation.
• Partnering with Engineering, Projects and Operations to support material specifications, sourcing strategies, and long-lead planning.
• Identifying cost optimization, standardization, and consolidation opportunities across materials and suppliers.
• Monitoring market conditions, supply risks, and capacity constraints impacting category performance.
• Ensuring category strategies, supplier insights, and lessons learned are documented to support future category rotation.
• Future category assignments may include additional material, equipment, or services categories based on business needs.

CATEGORY STRATEGY DEVELOPMENT & EXECUTION

Category Strategy & Planning

• Develop, own, and maintain category strategies aligned with Startec’s business objectives, operational requirements, and supply market conditions.
• Analyze market dynamics, supply chain risks, and cost drivers to identify sourcing opportunities, strategic advantages, and areas of exposure within the category.
• Support make-versus-buy decisions and apply total cost of ownership (TCO) principles to guide category and sourcing decisions.

Strategy Execution & Implementation

• Translate category strategies into practical and executable sourcing approaches, supplier agreements, and action plans.
• Monitor category performance against defined objectives and adjust strategies based on business needs, market changes, and performance outcomes.
• Ensure category strategies are clearly communicated, understood, and applied across relevant business functions.
• Responsible for creation and management of purchase orders to closure.

STRATEGIC SOURCING & SUPPLIER RELATIONSHIP MANAGEMENT
Strategic Sourcing Execution

• Lead competitive sourcing activities in support of approved category strategies, including RFQs/RFPs, bid evaluations, and commercial negotiations.
• Develop and execute sourcing and go-to-market approaches aligned with category needs, market conditions, and business requirements.
• Establish, manage, and optimize an approved and preferred supplier base within assigned categories to balance cost, performance, and continuity of supply.
• Support contract development, negotiation, and implementation to ensure commercial alignment and executable outcomes.

Supplier Performance & Collaboration

• Own supplier performance management within assigned categories, including the definition, tracking, and review of performance metrics (cost, quality, delivery, responsiveness, and risk).
• Build and maintain strong supplier relationships that support reliability of supply, continuous improvement, and long-term value creation.
• Partner with suppliers to identify value-added opportunities, innovation initiatives, and risk mitigation strategies.
• Drive accountability and corrective actions with suppliers to ensure performance expectations and contractual commitments are met.

SPEND ANALYSIS & COST OPTIMIZATION
Spend & Market Analytics

• Analyze category spend, demand patterns, and cost drivers to identify trends, consolidation opportunities, and areas for improvement.
• Use procurement and ERP data to support category strategy development and sourcing decisions.
• Maintain appropriate category-level metrics and insights to monitor performance and inform stakeholders.

Cost Optimization & Value Delivery

• Identify and execute cost optimization opportunities through standardization, process improvement, and supplier rationalization, aligned with category strategies.
• Support cost savings and value delivery objectives, including tracking and communicating realized benefits.
• Apply cost modeling, should-cost concepts, and market benchmarking, as appropriate, to support commercial decisions and negotiations.

CROSS-FUNCTIONAL COLLABORATION & STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT
Internal Collaboration

• Partner closely with Engineering, Projects, Operations, and Finance to align category strategies with project execution, fabrication requirements, and operational needs.
• Provide commercial, market, and supplier insights to support project planning, budgeting, and supplier selection decisions.
• Support material forecasting and long-lead planning to mitigate supply risk and support on-time project delivery.

Communication & Change Management

• Communicate category strategies, sourcing initiatives, and supplier changes clearly and effectively to impacted stakeholders.
• Support the adoption of standardized procurement and sourcing practices by engaging stakeholders early and addressing business needs and constraints.
• Act as a point of coordination between internal teams and suppliers to ensure alignment and minimize disruption during sourcing or supplier transitions.

GOVERNANCE, RISK MANAGEMENT & COMPLIANCE
Policy, Process & Commercial Governance

• Ensure category strategies and sourcing activities align with Startec’s procurement policies, ethical standards, and commercial governance requirements.
• Maintain clear and accurate documentation supporting supplier evaluations, sourcing decisions, and contractual commitments.
• Apply consistent and transparent decision-making practices to support auditability and internal alignment.

Supply Risk Mitigation

• Identify, assess, and manage category-level supply risks, including sole-sourcing exposure, capacity constraints, market volatility, and external risk factors.
• Develop and maintain practical contingency and alternate sourcing strategies to support continuity of supply and project execution.
• Monitor supplier risk indicators and work proactively with internal stakeholders and suppliers to mitigate potential disruptions.

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, Engineering, or a related discipline.
• 5–7 years of progressive experience in procurement, category management, or related supply chain roles, preferably within manufacturing, fabrication, EPC, or industrial environments.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and execute category or sourcing strategies that deliver measurable business value.
• Strong analytical and commercial skills, with experience in spend analysis, cost modeling, and market assessment.
• Proficiency with ERP systems and procurement tools (Microsoft NAVISION and/or D365 preferred).
• Excellent negotiation, communication, and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence cross-functional teams.
• Professional supply chain or procurement certification (e.g., SCMP, CIPS, CPSM) considered an asset.

We offer competitive wages, training, flexible, dynamic, and exciting work environment.

We thank you for your application and interest in our organization. Only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.