Location:
Houston, TX (HO) - Support functions - Hub CorporateHow will you CONTRIBUTE and GROW?We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace that embraces the unique perspectives of our employees, our customers, patients, community stakeholders, and cultures across the world. We believe that a variety of backgrounds makes our team stronger and more innovative.At Air Liquide we RESPECT, HONOR and VALUE diversity.
Air Liquide is hiring for a Sr. Category Specialist in Houston, TX.
We are looking for you!
Comprehensive Family Benefits: Air Liquide offers a full benefits package designed to support your whole life, including Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, AD&D, and Disability Insurance.
Future Security: 401(k) Retirement Plan with company match, Tuition Assistance, Paid Holidays, Vacation, and Sick time.
Early Access: Your benefits start on the first day of employment.
Responsible for the governance and operational performance of Suppliers, driving continuous improvement. Creates and deploys short and long-term category strategies. Manages spend, including strategic sourcing, contract negotiation and management, commercial negotiations, supplier relationship management support, demand planning, and customer interface. Assists in the development and deployment of Category Management strategies.
Job Responsibilities:
Creates and implements category strategies and business plans to create sustainable value and Total Cost of Ownership Strategy Development:
Guides and facilitates strategic sourcing events and nurtures the lifecycle of agreements and frame contracts Sourcing & Contracting:
Builds alignment on commercial terms and legal conditions while integrating market insights to identify savings and ensure stability Negotiation:
Fosters supplier growth and excellence through the development of meaningful indicators, periodic business reviews, and continuous improvement plans Supplier Governance:
Stakeholder & Compliance: Partners with internal stakeholders on demand planning and supports alignment with all regulatory requirements and internal policies
Required Qualifications
Candidates must have valid employment authorization in the U.S. and must not require visa sponsorship now or in the future. This position is not open for non-immigrant visa sponsorship.
Experience Level: The Sr. Category Specialist requires a minimum of 5 years of progressive experience, whereas the Category Specialist requires only 2-3 years
Bachelor's degree in finance, accounting, or other business related fields required
Strategic Responsibility: The Sr. Specialist is expected to "create and deploy" short and long-term category strategies. In contrast, the Specialist primarily "assists" managers and team members in developing these strategies
Supplier Governance: The Sr. Specialist has a specific mandate for the "governance and operational performance of Suppliers" and driving continuous improvement. The Specialist focuses more generally on proactive spend management and providing support
Competency Proficiency: The Sr. Specialist requires higher-level behaviors within their key competencies, such as "Making Complex Plans" (Analytical Thinking) and "Using complex influence strategies" (Impact and Influence), indicating a need for greater autonomy and sophistication in execution.
Preferred Qualifications:
Prior industrial gas experience
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Benefits
We care about and support our Airgas Families. This is evident not only through our competitive compensation but also through a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical, dental, and vision plans, short-term and long-term disability, life and accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) insurance, Employee Assistance Program (EAP), pre-tax commuter transportation benefit, parental leave, vacation, sick time, floating holidays, jury duty and funeral/bereavement leave, and paid holidays for all eligible full-time employees.
Additionally, we offer our eligible employees a 401k plan with company matching funds, tuition reimbursement, discounted college tuition for eligible employees’ dependents, and an Airgas Scholarship Program for dependent children.
Associates who are members of collective bargaining units should review their bargaining agreement to determine whether they are eligible for some or all of the benefits described here and to see any special terms or conditions for eligibility.
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Your DIFFERENCES enhance our PERFORMANCE
At Airgas, we are committed to building a workplace that embraces the diversity of our employees, our customers, patients, community stakeholders and cultures across the world.
We welcome and consider applications from all qualified applicants, regardless of their race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, disability or any other protected characteristic. We strongly believe a diverse organization opens up opportunities for people to express their talent, both individually and collectively and it helps foster our ability to innovate by living our fundamentals, acting for our success and creating an engaging environment in a changing world.
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About Airgas
Airgas, an Air Liquide company, is a leading U.S. supplier of industrial, medical and specialty gases, as well as hardgoods and related products; one of the largest U.S. suppliers of safety products; and a leading U.S. supplier of ammonia products and process chemicals. Through the passion and diversity of its 18,000 associates, Airgas fosters a culture of safety, customer success, sustainability and innovation. Airgas associates are empowered to share ideas, take initiative and make decisions.
Airgas is a subsidiary of Air Liquide, a world leader in gases, technologies and services for industry and healthcare. Present in 60 countries with approximately 66,500 employees, Air Liquide serves more than 4 million customers and patients.
Join us for a stimulating experience: At Airgas, you matter and so does the work you do. As a member of our team, you play an important role in the success of your team, making sure our products are created sustainably and delivered safely and efficiently. In turn, you’ll find a welcoming workplace where you’re valued for who you are and where you can fill your potential while growing a fulfilling career — whatever path you choose.
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Equal Employment Opportunity Information
We are an equal opportunity employer. We welcome all qualified applicants regardless of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic.
Airgas, an Air Liquide Company is a Government contractor subject to the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act of 1974 and Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.
Airgas does not discriminate against qualified applicants with disabilities, and is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to the known disabilities of such individuals so as to ensure equal access to benefits and privileges of employment. If you are an individual with a disability and would like to request a reasonable accommodation as part of the employment selection process, please contact us by email at [email protected].
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Skills Required
- Valid employment authorization in the U.S.; must not require visa sponsorship now or in the future.
- Minimum 5 years of progressive experience in category management/procurement.
- Bachelor's degree in finance, accounting, or other business-related field.
- Ability to create and deploy short- and long-term category strategies.
- Experience with strategic sourcing, contract negotiation and contract management.
- Experience in supplier governance, performance management, and driving continuous improvement.
- Stakeholder management and demand planning experience; alignment with regulatory requirements and internal policies.
- High competency in analytical thinking and using complex influence strategies.
- Prior industrial gas experience.
Air Liquide Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Air Liquide and has not been reviewed or approved by Air Liquide.
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Healthcare Strength — Health insurance and life coverage are broadly provided under a global common care baseline that includes inpatient and outpatient healthcare. Dental and vision coverage are present in many locations, and short-term disability provisions have been enhanced.
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Parental & Family Support — Policies provide at least 14 weeks of fully paid maternity leave globally and paid parental leave for non-birthing parents in the U.S. Childcare benefits are available in some countries as part of the package.
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Strong & Reliable Incentives — Annual incentive bonuses, performance bonuses for exceeding goals, and profit-sharing are integrated into the total rewards structure. Feedback suggests additional earning avenues like overtime can further augment pay in eligible roles.
Air Liquide Insights
What We Do
A world leader in gases, technologies and services for Industry and Health, Air Liquide is present in 75 countries with approximately 66,400 employees and serves more than 3.8 million customers and patients. Oxygen, nitrogen and hydrogen are essential small molecules for life, matter and energy. They embody Air Liquide’s scientific territory and have been at the core of the company’s activities since its creation in 1902.
