Procurement Category Specialist

Job description

At ABB, we help industries run leaner and cleaner—and every person here makes that happen. You’ll be empowered to lead, supported to grow, and proud of the impact we create together. Join us and help run what runs the world. This Position reports to: Purchasing Manager This is a fast-paced, highly collaborative role focused on procurement activities supporting New Product Introduction (NPI) programs from concept through production launch. The NPI Buyer partners closely with engineering, product management, manufacturing, quality, and suppliers to ensure materials, components, and supplier capabilities are aligned with aggressive development schedules and successful product commercialization. The successful candidate will work daily with multidisciplinary engineering teams to source new technologies, qualify suppliers, secure prototype and production materials, and manage procurement risks throughout the product development lifecycle. The role requires the ability to understand technical requirements, evaluate sourcing options, and translate engineering needs into effective procurement strategies that balance cost, quality, lead time, and supply continuity. Success in this position requires exceptional organizational skills, strong communication, and the ability to manage multiple NPI programs simultaneously. The NPI Buyer must provide timely visibility on supplier readiness, material availability, cost targets, and launch risks while proactively driving mitigation plans to support critical product milestones. This position supports ABB Canada's Automation, Measurement & Analytics division and is based in Québec. The work model is hybrid, with three days per week on site. This position reports to the Supply Chain Manager. Responsibilities New Product Introduction Procurement: lead sourcing activities for new product development programs, ensuring prototype, pilot, and production materials are available to meet engineering and product launch milestones. Engineering Collaboration: partner closely with R&D, Product line manager, Product Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, and Quality throughout the development process to understand technical requirements, support design decisions, and recommend sourcing solutions that optimize cost, manufacturability, and supply continuity. Supplier Selection & Development: identify, evaluate, qualify, and onboard suppliers capable of supporting new technologies and product launches. Collaborate with Supplier Quality to ensure supplier readiness and successful qualification activities. Prototype & Pre-Production Material Management: manage procurement of prototype components, engineering samples, first articles, tooling, and pilot production materials while ensuring delivery aligns with development schedules. Supplier Readiness & Launch Management: monitor supplier capacity, production readiness, tooling status, PPAP/FAI activities (where applicable), and material availability to support successful product launches. Escalate risks proactively and coordinate mitigation plans with internal stakeholders. Cost Management & Should-Cost Analysis: support product cost targets through competitive sourcing, quotation analysis, cost breakdowns, value engineering initiatives, and supplier negotiations during product development. BOM & Change Management: support Engineering Change Orders (ECOs), BOM releases, component substitutions, and lifecycle management activities to ensure timely implementation of design changes. Procurement Risk Management: identify sourcing risks related to long lead-time components, single-source suppliers, obsolescence, capacity constraints, or supply chain disruptions. Develop contingency plans to minimize impact on development and launch schedules. Cross-Functional Project Coordination: collaborate with Planning, Manufacturing, Quality, Supply Chain, Logistics, and Product Management to align procurement activities with development schedules and production readiness. Capacity communication management. MRP & Material Planning: monitor MRP recommendations for NPI materials, manage purchase orders, expedite deliveries when required, and support inventory optimization during prototype and launch phases. Supplier Performance Management: track supplier performance using delivery, quality, responsiveness, and cost metrics. Drive corrective actions and continuous improvement initiatives where necessary. Compliance & Reporting: ensure procurement activities comply with ABB policies, regulatory requirements, and quality standards. Maintain accurate procurement documentation and provide regular reporting on sourcing status, launch readiness, supplier performance, and procurement risks. Requirements Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Engineering, or a related field. Minimum 10 years of experience in procurement, strategic sourcing, or NPI purchasing within a manufacturing, industrial, electronics, automation, aerospace, or high-technology environment. Experience supporting New Product Introduction (NPI), product development, or engineering projects from concept through production launch. Bilingual (French & English); English required for communication with global suppliers and stakeholders outside Quebec. Strong understanding of product development processes, engineering change management (ECO), and product lifecycle management. Experience collaborating with engineering teams and interpreting technical drawings, specifications, and Bills of Materials (BOMs). Proven ability to source new components, qualify suppliers, and manage procurement activities under aggressive development timelines. Excellent supplier negotiation skills with experience in cost analysis, lead-time optimization, and contract management. Strong stakeholder management skills with the ability to communicate effectively with technical and non-technical audiences. Experience identifying procurement risks and developing mitigation strategies to support successful product launches. Proficiency with ERP systems (SAP preferred) and Microsoft Office, particularly Excel. Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills with the ability to manage multiple concurrent NPI programs. Experience with supplier quality processes such as PPAP, FAI, APQP, or similar product qualification methodologies is considered an asset. Knowledge of Lean Manufacturing, Design for Manufacturing (DFM), or Value Engineering principles is an asset. Employment Equity & Inclusion Statement (Canada) ABB values the dedication, commitment, and expertise of all our employees. As an Employment Equity Employer, we are committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace. We actively support the principles of the Employment Equity Act and strive to build a workforce that reflects Canada’s diversity, including: • Women • Indigenous Peoples • Members of visible minorities • Persons with disabilities ABB is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. If you require accommodation during any stage of the recruitment process, we encourage you to let us know.