Senior Category Buyer, Raw Materials

TAIT partners with artists, brands, IP holders and place makers to bring culture-defining, never-before-seen experiences to life. With a legacy of innovation spanning over 45 years, TAIT has grown from pioneering in rock ‘n’ roll concert staging to setting the global standard for extraordinary live events and experiences through cutting-edge technology, precision engineering, and creative design. TAIT’s 20 global offices have developed iconic productions and experiences in over 30 countries, all seven continents, and even outer space for renowned performers, theme parks, exhibits, and venues across the globe, including partnerships with Taylor Swift, Cirque Du Soleil, Royal Opera House, Nike, NASA, Bloomberg, Google, Beyoncé, and The Olympics

Position Purpose

The Senior Category Buyer – Raw Materials is a strategic individual contributor responsible for owning defined raw material categories or major sub-categories. This role is accountable for category performance, supplier strategies, savings delivery, and risk mitigation, operating with a high degree of autonomy and strategic influence.

The Senior Category Buyer serves as a key advisor to Category Managers and is a feeder role for future Category Manager positions.

Responsibilities

Category Ownership & Strategy

• Own and execute category strategies for assigned raw material categories.
• Translate market intelligence into sourcing and commercial strategies.
• Lead multi-year sourcing roadmaps aligned with business objectives.
  
  

Strategic Sourcing Leadership

• Lead complex, high-value sourcing initiatives and negotiations.
• Approve sourcing recommendations and supplier selections within delegated authority.
• Conduct advanced TCO, should-cost, outsource fabrication, make-or-buy and scenario modeling.
  
  

Supplier Relationship Management

• Act as primary relationship owner for strategic suppliers.
• Lead quarterly business reviews and performance governance.
• Drive continuous improvement, cost transparency, and innovation with suppliers.
  
  

Cross-Functional & Enterprise Impact

• Partner with Engineering, Operations, Quality, and Finance at a strategic level.
• Influence material standards, specifications, and sourcing policy decisions.
• Support organizational risk management and supply continuity planning.
  
  

Talent & Capability Development

• Coach and mentor Category Buyers and junior procurement professionals.
• Contribute to best practices, tools, and category playbooks.
• Support development of category and procurement capability.
  
  

Position Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree required; MBA or advanced certifications preferred.
• 10–12 years of progressive procurement or category experience.
• Demonstrated success owning category strategies and delivering savings.
• Strong leadership, influence, and stakeholder management skills.
  
  

Preferred

• CPSM/CIPS certification.
• Global sourcing leadership experience.
• Deep expertise in raw materials or manufacturing environments.
  
  

TAIT is an equal opportunity employer fully committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran or any other protected characteristic as outlined by international, national, state, or local laws.