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- Tasks: Lead category management and sourcing strategies for innovative marine solutions.
- Company: Wärtsilä, a global leader in marine and energy technologies.
- Benefits: Diverse workplace, competitive salary, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse team driving decarbonisation across industries.
- Why this job: Join a team shaping the future of sustainable marine technology.
- Qualifications: Experience in procurement, strong negotiation skills, and analytical mindset.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 65000 £ per year.
Water and Waste business unit (WAW) is a true end-to-end business which is transitioning under new ownership. WAW is a global leader in designing and supplying innovative wet and dry waste equipment and freshwater generation solutions for passenger vessels & conventional waste management and ballast water treatment equipment for all marine segments. WAW has the industry’s broadest product offering to secure beyond compliant operations for our marine customers.
We are seeking an experienced Category Specialist to manage product categories and category-related processes within the busy supply chain team. The Category Specialist is responsible for leading category management activities across defined product groups, ensuring efficient procurement, competitive cost performance, strong supplier capability, and effective lifecycle management. The role creates and executes category strategies that align with business, technical, and market requirements—maximising value and enabling operational, commercial, and programme success.
Key Responsibilities- Category Strategy & Lifecycle Management: Develop and lead category strategies aligned with business objectives, supply‑market conditions, and long‑term organisational goals. Optimise category performance by improving supplier capabilities, reducing cost, enhancing quality, and mitigating risk. Manage category lifecycle activities, ensuring alignment with engineering, operational, and commercial needs.
- Strategic Sourcing & Contract Leadership: Lead strategic sourcing initiatives across assigned categories, ensuring alignment with technical and programme requirements. Conduct supplier evaluations, lead negotiations, and develop contracts that deliver strong commercial and operational value. Provide strategic category insights and cost input to support bids, new programmes, and business development activities.
- Supplier Relationship Management & Performance Development: Build strong supplier relationships to enhance capability, innovation, and supply chain resilience. Monitor supplier performance and conduct regular reviews to ensure quality, delivery, and cost expectations are met. Identify supplier opportunities and vulnerabilities, implementing proactive risk‑mitigation measures. Serve as the escalation point for supplier performance or delivery issues.
- Cross‑Functional Collaboration: Work with Engineering, Quality, Production, Design, Projects, and wider business stakeholders to ensure category strategies support project, product, and operational needs. Translate stakeholder requirements into practical sourcing decisions and actionable category plans.
- Continuous Improvement & Data‑Driven Decision Making: Drive continuous improvement by applying insights from internal cost, product, and sales data combined with external market intelligence. Use data analytics, cost modelling, and market analysis to shape sourcing decisions and enhance category performance. Identify opportunities for efficiency, cost reduction, and improved supplier competitiveness.
- Policy, Process Excellence & Best Practice: Promote best‑practice procurement methodologies, including structured market analysis, risk management, and supplier development. Contribute to the organisation’s procurement maturity by embedding consistent practices across categories.
- Compliance, Sustainability & Ethical Procurement: Ensure all category activities meet company policy, regulatory requirements, and industry standards. Champion sustainability and ethical sourcing, embedding ESG principles throughout the category lifecycle.
- Strong negotiation and contract management skills.
- Proven procurement experience within complex engineering or manufacturing environments.
- Ability to influence cross‑functional stakeholders and collaborate effectively.
- Experience developing category strategies and managing international suppliers.
- Strong analytical capability with a proactive mindset and high ownership.
Last application date: 03/05/2026
At Wärtsilä we value, respect and embrace all our differences, and are committed to diversity, inclusion and equal employment opportunities; everyone can be their true self and succeed based on their job-relevant merits and abilities.
Please note that according to Wärtsilä policy, voluntary consent for a security check may be required from candidates being considered for this position, depending on the applicable country.
Category Specialist in Poole employer: Wärtsilä
Contact Detail:
Wärtsilä Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Category Specialist in Poole
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend events, and connect on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its products. Understand their category strategies and be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their goals. Show them you’re not just another candidate!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your negotiation skills! As a Category Specialist, you’ll need to demonstrate strong negotiation abilities. Role-play with a friend or use online resources to sharpen those skills before the big day.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search.
We think you need these skills to ace Category Specialist in Poole
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Category Specialist role. Highlight your relevant experience in procurement and category management, and show us how your skills align with our needs in the Water and Waste business unit.
Showcase Your Achievements: Don’t just list your responsibilities; we want to see your impact! Use specific examples of how you've improved supplier performance or reduced costs in previous roles. Numbers and results speak volumes!
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, so avoid jargon and ensure your key points stand out. This will help us quickly see why you’re a great fit for the team.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to submit your application through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it’s super easy to do!
How to prepare for a job interview at Wärtsilä
✨Know Your Categories
Before the interview, dive deep into the specific product categories you'll be managing. Understand the current market trends, key suppliers, and any recent innovations in wet and dry waste equipment. This knowledge will not only impress your interviewers but also show that you're genuinely interested in the role.
✨Showcase Your Negotiation Skills
Prepare examples of past negotiations you've led, especially in complex engineering or manufacturing environments. Be ready to discuss how you achieved strong commercial value and what strategies you used to overcome challenges. This will demonstrate your capability in contract management and strategic sourcing.
✨Highlight Cross-Functional Collaboration
Think of instances where you've successfully collaborated with different teams, like Engineering or Quality. Be prepared to explain how you translated stakeholder requirements into actionable plans. This will showcase your ability to work effectively across various functions, which is crucial for the Category Specialist role.
✨Emphasise Continuous Improvement
Discuss how you've driven continuous improvement in previous roles using data analytics and market insights. Share specific examples of how your decisions led to cost reductions or enhanced supplier performance. This will highlight your analytical skills and proactive mindset, aligning perfectly with the expectations for this position.