Category Specialist - Mechanical

Job Summary:
Technical & Commercial Knowledge of Mechanical Equipment (Both- Rotary & Static Equipment) such as Boilers & Heaters, Chillers, HVAC Systems including AHU & FCU Units, Purifiers, Water Treatment Systems, Mixers, Cyclones, Filter Press, Thickeners, Agitators, Flares, Incinerators, Bulk Solid & Liquid Handling Systems, Turbines, Cooling Tower, Pumps, Diesel Generators, Compressors, Vapouriser Packages, Filters, Conveyors Belts, Shop Fabricated Tanks, Other Process Tanks, Columns and their Internals/Pressures Vessels/Heat Exchangers/Air Cooled Heat Exchangers (not limited to).

Knowledge of Suppliers & maintains strategic relationships with suppliers for above mentioned Key Mechanical equipment (but not limited to).

Supervision Exercised

• May provide supervision, training and guidance to other team personnel as and when required.

Contacts

• Maintain working relationships with internal team members, project Supply Chain personnel and project discipline personnel to perform assigned duties.

• Maintains working relationships with bidders and suppliers involved with the performance of assigned tasks for assigned mechanical commodities.

Major Responsibilities:

• Assist project teams in developing sourcing strategies that deliver best value while adhering to the Approved Manufacturers List (AML).
• Leverage technical expertise in mechanical commodities to support category management initiatives and cross-GBU objectives.
• Identify, evaluate, and prequalify new suppliers; maintain supplier qualification records and databases.
• Continuously analyze emerging technologies and industry practices to improve schedule performance and reduce costs.
• Monitor domestic and global market trends, opportunities, challenges, tariffs, quotas, and maintain commodity heat maps for assigned categories.
• Collaborate with engineering teams, subject matter experts, and stakeholders across business lines and geographies.
• Support development and management of key supplier relationships to ensure effective order execution and performance.
• Compile, research, analyze, and present market intelligence, supplier data, and strategic insights using open and internal sources.
• Prepare high-quality management presentations and reports with strong communication and stakeholder-management skills.
• Utilize AI tools and digital technologies to enhance productivity, analysis, and decision-making.
• Monitor supplier performance and ensure supplier evaluation data is leveraged for ongoing and future project success.
• Conduct supplier and sub-supplier visits, as required, to assess capabilities, performance, and compliance.
• Maintain current knowledge of international market dynamics and continuously enhance category expertise.

Required Knowledge and Skills:

Strong Techno-Commercial Expertise: In-depth knowledge of mechanical equipment, manufacturing processes, supplier capabilities, global supply markets, product specifications, testing requirements, and international codes/standards (ASME, API, ASTM, etc.).

• Category & Supply Chain Management: Ability to independently manage assigned mechanical commodities, including sourcing, expediting, supplier qualification, performance monitoring, risk identification, and understanding of end-to-end supply chains, sub-tier suppliers, and raw material sources.
• Procurement & Commercial Acumen: Comprehensive understanding of all procurement phases, including bidder prequalification, bid package preparation, commercial negotiations, purchase order administration, change management, and contract award processes.
• Market Intelligence & Innovation: Strong awareness of global market trends, supply chain challenges, emerging technologies, alternative materials, manufacturing methodologies, testing and inspection requirements, and opportunities impacting mechanical commodities.
• Stakeholder Engagement & Communication: Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to collaborate across global teams, present technical/commercial information effectively, and prepare high-quality technical papers and presentations for industry forums and conferences.