Category Specialist
Lead an organisation’s purchasing strategy.
Job opportunities
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Jobs in SEEK right nowJob growth
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5-year projectionSalary
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Typical salaryJob satisfaction
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Job opportunities
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Jobs in SEEK right nowSalary
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Typical salaryJob growth
-
5-year projectionJob satisfaction
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On this page
- What's it like to be a Category Specialist?
- How to become a Category Specialist
- Latest Category Specialist jobs
- Top skills and experience for Category Specialists
What's it like to be a Category Specialist?
Category Specialists control the purchasing, supply and distribution of an organisation’s goods and services. They negotiate supplier terms and conditions and manage the associated agreements and contracts.
Tasks and duties
- Using electronic sourcing platforms to manage purchases and supplier contracts.
- Establishing and maintaining relationships with suppliers.
- Developing sourcing strategies for new and existing projects.
- Performing scope and risk assessments and determining project requirements.
- Negotiating supplier agreements and drafting terms and conditions of contracts.
- Engaging supplier markets and developing requests for tender submissions.
How to become a Category Specialist
You usually need a relevant qualification and procurement or purchasing experience to work as a Category Specialist. You may be able to progress into this senior role after gaining several years of experience in entry-level or assistant roles.
- Complete a bachelor degree in business, commerce, economics or a related field. This usually takes three years of full-time study.
- Look for internship opportunities while studying to build workplace experience.
- Secure a role in supply chain, procurement or purchasing to develop your skills and experience managing contracts and controlling inventory levels. You could start off as a Procurement Officer or Retail Buyer.
- Consider joining a professional association such as the Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply (CIPS) to grow your professional network. You may be eligible for membership while studying.
Compare your salary
Find out how your salary compares with the average salary for Category Specialists.Latest Category Specialist jobs on SEEK
Be one of the first to discover these recently listed jobs, or browse all Category Specialist jobs on SEEK right now.Did you find this helpful?
Skills and experience employers are looking for
Having the right skills and experience can make you an in-demand applicant. Category Specialist employers on SEEK are looking for job seekers with expertise in the following areas. Category Management
Strategic Sourcing
Supplier Relationships
Supplier Performance
Contract Management
Sustainable Procurement
Commerce
Spend Analysis
Supplier Management
Coupa Software
Source: SEEK job ads and SEEK Profile data
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