Global Category Procurement Operations Specialist

Job description

3M has a long-standing reputation as a company committed to innovation. We provide the freedom to explore and encourage curiosity and creativity. We gain new insight from diverse thinking, and take risks on new ideas. Here, you can apply your talent in bold ways that matter. Job Description: Collaborate with Innovative 3Mers Around the World Choosing where to start and grow your career has a major impact on your professional and personal life, so it’s equally important you know that the company you choose will support and guide you. With a wide variety of people, global locations, technologies, and products, 3M is a place where you can collaborate with other curious, creative 3Mers. The Impact You’ll Make in this Role The Global Category Procurement Operations Senior Specialist supports global category procurement teams by executing sourcing and operational procurement activities, managing supplier interactions, resolving issues, and ensuring responsive, compliant support across end-to-end procurement processes. This role acts as a key operational partner to category teams and stakeholders by handling requests, supporting transactional and tactical sourcing, facilitating supplier communication, maintaining fraud prevention and compliance controls, and identifying opportunities for process improvement. In a global environment, the position requires strong collaboration, analytical capability, customer service orientation, and a solid understanding of procurement operations to help drive procurement performance and operational efficiency. At more advanced levels, the role also includes leading supplier negotiations, developing negotiation strategies informed by category insights and data analysis, serving as a trusted advisor to category leaders, and mentoring less experienced team members. Your key responsibilities would be to: Support global category procurement teams in sourcing activities, supplier interactions, and stakeholder communication, including managing requests, escalations, and customer service issues. Conduct supplier negotiations for routine and tail-spend matters, and at advanced levels lead broader negotiations involving pricing, terms, and conditions. Ensure compliance with procurement controls, including bank verification and fraud prevention requirements, while maintaining responsive and reliable operational support. Contribute to procurement performance by developing negotiation strategies, supporting category goals such as cost savings and service quality, and identifying process improvement opportunities. Act as a trusted partner to category leaders by mentoring less experienced team members and leading or supporting assigned projects and initiatives. Your Skills and Expertise To set you up for success in this role from day one, 3M requires (at a minimum) the following qualifications: Bachelor’s degree in business, Supply Chain, Economics, or a related field. Overall 7+ years of professional experience, including 4–6 years of relevant experience in procurement, category support, supplier management, sourcing operations, or shared services. Experience supporting sourcing activities, supplier interactions, and supplier negotiations, with exposure to category collaboration and sourcing operations. Experience working in a global, cross-functional business environment, supporting procurement and supplier management activities. Experience supporting direct and/or indirect procurement categories. Additional qualifications that could help you succeed even further in this role include: Strong knowledge of procurement systems, ERP, and e-sourcing tools such as SAP, Ariba, or equivalent platforms. Good communication, relationship management, and negotiation skills to work effectively with suppliers and stakeholders across global teams. Analytical and customer-focused approach with the ability to support decisions, manage priorities, and improve service quality. Ability to handle routine procurement support activities, resolve operational issues, escalate risks, and support process improvements. Work Location: Hebbal, Bangalore (Karnataka), Hybrid Mode Supporting Your Well-being 3M offers many programs to help you live your best life – both physically and financially. To ensure competitive pay and benefits, 3M regularly benchmarks with other companies that are comparable in size and scope. Learn more about 3M’s creative solutions to the world’s problems at www.3M.com or on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn @3M. Safety is a core value at 3M. All employees are expected to contribute to a strong Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) culture by following safety policies, identifying hazards, and engaging in continuous improvement. Please note: your application may not be considered if you do not provide your education and work history, either by: 1) uploading a resume, or 2) entering the information into the application fields directly. 3M Global Terms of Use and Privacy Statement Carefully read these Terms of Use before using this website. Your access to and use of this website and application for a job at 3M are conditioned on your acceptance and compliance with these terms. 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