Category Specialist, Capital

High Liner Foods is North America's largest marketer of frozen, value-added, seafood products - a family of passionate people and strong brands with a dedicated vision of "Reimagining Seafood to Nourish Life" for more than 125 years!

We are building a world-class Purchasing function across our organization and manufacturing locations. The Purchasing Organization is a center-led/governed and operating model that enables a shift from a tactical team to one that is much more strategic in nature. The Purchasing Organization structure is organized to create value from leveraging enterprise-wide spend and efficiencies associated with central and shared governance, processes, resources, and infrastructure; as well as continue to have the ability to execute on a regional basis to support the individualized requirements of each of our locations.

The Category Specialist supports the execution of sourcing strategies and supplier management for Operations & CAPEX categories. This role works closely with the Purchasing Manager to drive cost savings, process efficiencies, and supplier performance improvements. The Specialist plays a key role in data analysis, contract support and implementation, supplier coordination, and cross-functional collaboration to ensure the execution of purchasing activities aligned with business objectives.

Accountabilities and responsibilities

• Assist in the development and execution of category strategies for Operations & CAPEX purchases, ensuring alignment with business needs in Canada and the US.
• Conduct supplier research, evaluate new suppliers, and support the selection process in collaboration with the Purchasing Manager and business stakeholders
• Support supplier relationship management efforts by monitoring supplier performance, tracking key metrics, and assisting in issue resolution.
• Assist in identifying opportunities for supplier consolidation and cost savings.
• Support and Conduct RFx activities, including preparing documentation, gathering supplier responses, and analyzing bids.
• Assist in contract development by coordinating with internal stakeholders and ensuring contract terms align with company objectives.
• Maintain accurate records of supplier agreements, pricing, and key contract terms to ensure compliance and efficiency in company's Contract Management System.
• Collaborate with internal teams (Finance, Legal, Operations) to facilitate contract execution and implementation.
• Conduct spend analysis and provide insights to support category strategy development and cost optimization.
• Monitor market trends, cost drivers, and risk factors affecting the assigned categories.
• Track savings initiatives and contribute to cost reduction reporting.
• Work closely with internal stakeholders (Operations, Engineering, Finance, and Legal) to ensure sourcing strategies align with company objectives.
• Assist in change management initiatives related to supplier transitions or new category strategies.
• Support project management efforts for capital expenditure purchases, ensuring coordination between stakeholders and suppliers.
• Ensure procurement activities comply with company policies, regulatory requirements, and best practices.
• Maintain data integrity for assigned categories, ensuring accurate record-keeping in procurement systems.
• Support process improvements to enhance efficiency, supplier collaboration, and cost-effectiveness.

Qualifications

• University degree in a relevant field (Supply Chain, Business, Engineering, or related).
• 4+ years of exceptional purchasing/category management experience, preferably in food manufacturing or operations-related categories.
• Excellent communication, collaboration, and project coordination skills.
• Excellent Excel and spreadsheet analysis with strong analytical skills
• Experience in RFx processes, supplier negotiations, and contract administration.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and requests in an efficient manner and on a timely basis.
• Completion of (or working towards) an SCMP designation, APICS, P.Log or other purchasing designation is an asset.

Travel

Travel to High Liner Foods offices and plants within North America may be required up to 25% of the time.