Indirect Category Specialist

McKesson is an impact-driven, Fortune 10 company that touches virtually every aspect of healthcare. We are known for delivering insights, products, and services that make quality care more accessible and affordable. Here, we focus on the health, happiness, and well-being of you and those we serve – we care.

What you do at McKesson matters. We foster a culture where you can grow, make an impact, and are empowered to bring new ideas. Together, we thrive as we shape the future of health for patients, our communities, and our people. If you want to be part of tomorrow’s health today, we want to hear from you.

Job Summary: 

The Category Specialist is responsible for supporting and independently leading low- to medium-complexity sourcing events across a range of indirect categories. This position is instrumental in driving cost savings, enhancing compliance, and reducing supplier risk across the McKesson enterprise. Working closely with Category Managers and other procurement professionals, the Category Specialist manages end-to-end sourcing projects, conducts market research, analyzes data, and contributes to supplier selection decisions. Individuals in this role are expected to operate with minimal supervision and make meaningful contributions to sourcing initiatives. 

Key Responsibilities: 

• Sourcing Execution: Lead low-medium complexity RFx projects from intake through supplier selection and savings validation. 

• Supplier Negotiations: Conduct supplier negotiations and support reverse auction events (as applicable). 

• Market Research: Identify potential suppliers and gather market intelligence to support sourcing decisions. 

• Data Analysis: Analyze spend and supplier data to develop business case recommendations. 

• Project Management: Track and communicate project progress with moderate guidance, ensuring timely execution. 

• Customer Experience: Deliver a high level of service to internal stakeholders and ensure sourcing engagements meet business needs. 

• Compliance & Documentation: Ensure adherence to company policies and maintain accurate records in Salesforce and DocuSign. 

• Collaboration: Identify and implement cost effective sourcing strategies with Category Managers 

Required Skills and Qualifications: 

Education: 

Bachelor’s degree in Business, Supply Chain Management, or a related field (or equivalent experience). 

Preferred Experience: 

3–5 years of experience in sourcing, purchasing, or category management. 

Technical Skills: 

• Proficiency in data analysis tools (e.g., Excel, Power BI, Tableau). 

• Familiarity with procurement platforms (e.g., SAP Ariba, Coupa). 

• Strong understanding of market analysis and supplier evaluation techniques. 

Critical Skills: 

• Foundational understanding of procurement principles 

• Strong negotiation and influencing skills 

• Effective verbal and written communication 

• Analytical thinking and financial acumen 

• Problem-solving and decision-making capabilities 

• Enterprise mindset and collaborative approach 

Minimum Skills: