University of Kentucky
Category Specialist
🇺🇸 Lexington, KY
🕑 Full-Time
💰 $52K - $86K
💻 Other
🗓️ August 4th, 2025
Edtech.com's Summary
- Manage multiple related spend categories and supplier performance.
- Develop customer relationships and determine customer needs.
- Perform demand management and forecasting for goods and services.
- Monitor contract compliance and implement negotiation strategies.
- Create and review supplier contracts ensuring proper business terms.
- Lead sourcing events, including IFB/RFP processes and supplier negotiations.
- Conduct detailed data and spend analysis to identify savings opportunities.
- Track marketplace trends and price indices relevant to categories.
- Engage new suppliers and execute continuous cost and performance improvements.
- Required qualifications: Bachelor's degree and 5 years of related experience; strong analytical, written, and verbal communication skills; high proficiency with Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint).
- Salary range: $52,021-85,800 per year.
Category Specialist Full Description
Requisition Number | RE51151
Working Title |
Department Name | 3DP00:Purchasing
Work Location | Lexington, KY
Grade Level | 46
Salary Range | $52,021-85,800/year
Type of Position | Staff
Position Time Status | Full-Time
Required Education | BA
Click here for more information about equivalencies: | https://hr.uky.edu/employment/working-uk/equivalencies
Required Related Experience | 5 yrs
Required License/Registration/Certification | None.
Physical Requirements | Sitting at desk for extended periods of time.
Shift | 8:00 am to 5:00 pm; Monday through Friday; are standard hours.
Work beyond standard hours are required for an exempt position.
Job Summary
This is a great opportunity to join the University of Kentucky Procurement team as a Category Specialist responsible for developing, executing, and sustaining assigned categories of related purchased goods and/or services. The person holding this position will have a varied background and demonstrate proficiency in coordinating the sourcing, bidding, procurement, and implementation of a variety of goods, equipment, and services. The Category Specialist is responsible for managing competitive solicitations, contract creation, contract execution, and renewals. Fostering campus collaboration and providing customer service are key components of this position.
Responsibilities include:
Multiple related spend categories Supplier performance management Customer relationship development Determination of customer needs Demand management Forecasting for goods and services Monitoring contract compliance for the University and manage the development and implementation of negotiation strategies Create and review supplier contracts to ensure appropriate business terms are addressed Facilitate legal and risk management review to ensure standard terms and conditions are inserted where appropriate Lead sourcing events, including the development and management of the IFB/RFP process through award and/or lead supplier negotiations Prepare business cases by conducting detailed and comprehensive data and spend analysis, identifying and quantifying potential savings opportunities, utilizing sourcing best practices, and participate in execution planning Track trends in the marketplace and actively monitor price indices applicable to category areas Identify new sources of supply and engage with new suppliers Work collaboratively with suppliers, and customer stakeholders to identify and execute continuous cost and performance improvement Other duties as assigned
Skills / Knowledge / Abilities | Strong analytical, written, and verbal communication skills required. High proficiency with Microsoft Office software required such as Excel, Word, PowerPoint, etc…
Does this position have supervisory responsibilities? | No
Preferred Education/Experience |
Deadline to Apply | 08/24/2025
Our University Community | We value the well-being of each of our employees and are dedicated to creating a healthy place for everyone to work, learn and live. In the interest of maintaining a safe and healthy environment for our students, employees, patients and visitors the University of Kentucky is a Tobacco & Drug Free campus.
As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we strongly encourage veterans, individuals with disabilities, women, and all minorities to consider our employment opportunities.
Any candidate offered a position may be required to pass pre-employment screenings as mandated by University of Kentucky Human Resources. These screenings may include a national background check and/or drug screen.
- * How many years of paid work experience do you have in a customer service position?
- None
- More than 0, through 1 year
- More than 1 year, through 3 years
- More than 3 years, through 5 years
- More than 5 years
- * How many years of paid work experience do you have working with purchasing contracts?
- None
- More than 0, up through 1 year
- More than 1 year, up through 3 years
- More than 3 years, up through 5 years
- More than 5 years
- * Briefly describe your positive interpersonal skills and effective communication skills.
(Open Ended Question)
Applicant Documents
- Resume
- Cover Letter
- © University of Kentucky
- Lexington, Kentucky 40506
- An Equal Opportunity University
- Accreditation
- Directory
- Privacy Policy
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