ESC has an exciting opportunity for a Procurement Category Manager to support a high-impact supply chain and capital procurement initiative within a rapidly growing business group onsite in Seattle, WA, Nashville, TN, Houston, TX, or Arlington, VA. This 6-month contract role is ideal for an experienced procurement professional who thrives in a build-from-scratch environment and enjoys driving large-scale infrastructure and supply chain initiatives. The Procurement Category Manager will play a key role in launching new operational sites by developing supplier strategies, optimizing procurement processes, and bringing scalable technology solutions to life.
Job Description:
โข Lead the development and execution of capital sourcing strategies for equipment, components, and systems supporting large-scale operational builds
โข Partner with internal stakeholders including implementation teams, project management, and engineering to support new site launches
โข Build and scale supply chain processes from the ground up to support a new and evolving business line
โข Conduct supplier negotiations, execute contracts, and manage category-level procurement activities
โข Develop cost models to support sourcing decisions, pricing strategies, and long-term planning
โข Drive supplier performance management, ensuring quality, innovation, and operational efficiency
โข Collaborate with cross-functional teams to align procurement strategies with business goals and technical requirements
โข Monitor market trends and supplier capabilities to inform sourcing strategies and drive continuous improvement
โข Establish and track key performance metrics related to cost savings, supplier performance, and operational success
โข Support the implementation of standardized equipment, systems, and processes to improve scalability across locations
Must Have Qualifications:
โข Bachelorโs degree in Supply Chain, Business, Engineering, or related field
โข 7โ10 years of experience in procurement, category management, or supply chain, with a focus on capital equipment or complex categories
โข Strong experience in capital procurement, including sourcing and supplier negotiations
โข Experience with contracting and category management, including understanding of key contract terms and structures
โข Proven cost modeling experience to support strategic sourcing decisions
โข Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to interpret complex data
โข Ability to operate with high judgment and a strong sense of ownership in a fast-paced environment
Nice to Have Qualifications:
โข Experience building supply chains or procurement functions from scratch
โข Background supporting large-scale infrastructure, automation, or equipment-based environments
โข Familiarity with high-growth or highly operational organizations
โข Experience working with cross-functional technical teams (engineering, implementation, etc.)
โข Exposure to supplier scaling and manufacturing partnerships