Category Management Specialist

Medtronic • Minneapolis, MN

3d • Onsite

About The Position

At Medtronic you can begin a life-long career of exploration and innovation, while helping champion healthcare access and equity for all. You’ll lead with purpose, breaking down barriers to innovation in a more connected, compassionate world. A Day in the Life At Medtronic, we not only get the opportunity to manage categories for the largest medical device company in the world, but we also get to experience the immense sense of purpose that comes from knowing that the money we save is reinvested into technology that helps alleviate pain, restore health and extend lives of millions of patients across the world. The work we do supports the Medtronic Mission and it matters. This is a global role that allows you to partner with stakeholders across many functions, regions, and businesses to drive value. Strong business acumen and prior sourcing experience are a must as you will be called upon to support complex engagements with strategic partners. The Category Management Specialist is a key contributor within Medtronic’s Global Materials & Contract Manufacturing organization. In this role, you will help shape and execute category strategies, manage inflationary pressures, drive cost‑savings initiatives, support contract negotiations, and enable pan‑Medtronic category management processes. Your work will directly influence cost, continuity of supply, and supplier performance across the enterprise. At Medtronic, we bring bold ideas forward with speed and decisiveness to put patients first in everything we do. In-person exchanges are invaluable to our work. We’re working a minimum of 4 days a week onsite as part of our commitment to fostering a culture of professional growth and cross-functional collaboration as we work together to engineer the extraordinary. Our team culture is grounded in the principle of “Lead from Every Seat.” Regardless of level or title, everyone is expected to be bold, curious, accountable, and proactive in tackling challenges and bringing forward solutions. The successful candidate will be comfortable working both independently and collaboratively, will build trust with cross‑functional and external partners, and will confidently influence decisions through strong insights, clear communication, and disciplined execution.

Requirements

• Must Have: Minimum Requirements Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain plus a minimum of 2 years of sourcing experience, or an advanced degree with 0 years of experience
• For Baccalaureate degrees earned outside of the United States, a degree that satisfies the requirements of 8 C.F.R. § 214.2(h)(4)(iii)(A) is required.
• For Office Roles: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to be independently mobile. The employee is also required to interact with a computer, and communicate with peers and co-workers.

Nice To Haves

• Direct sourcing experience, preferably within complex, global supply chains
• Experience developing and analyzing detailed cost models, with strong financial acumen
• Experience reviewing, drafting, and negotiating commercial and legal agreements in partnership with Legal
• Demonstrated project management, supply chain, or engineering experience within a large, multi-plant organization
• Proven ability to influence and collaborate with stakeholders at all levels of the organization
• Strong oral and written communication skills, with the ability to present complex information clearly and concisely
• Strong analytical and critical thinking skills, with a track record of translating data into actionable insights
• Experience leveraging AI-enabled and agentic tools to improve sourcing, analysis, or decision-making processes

Responsibilities

• Support Supplier Relationship Management Strengthen supplier relationships while partnering closely with internal stakeholders Actively engage suppliers to support performance, alignment, and issue resolution
• Unlock Category Strategy Through Execution Execute category strategies and convert implementation plans into business results. Support strategy development and execution across defined sub‑categories and initiatives.
• Turn Market Intelligence into Advantage Monitor market intelligence and industry trends to anticipate risks and opportunities. Convert insights into proactive, actionable sourcing strategies.
• Manage Inflation and Drive Savings Negotiate supplier price changes and tariff requests using data‑driven insights and category strategies to limit inflationary impact. Engage suppliers and Medtronic stakeholders to unlock process, technical, and commercial savings levers
• Enable High Impact Negotiations Support negotiations by preparing RFx packages, cost models, and negotiation strategies. Participate in supplier discussions and ensure commercial commitments translate into year-over-year performance improvements.
• Lead Continuous Improvement & Strategic Initiatives Develop and deploy standard work, drive continuous improvement and strategic initiatives, and apply benchmarking and industry best practices to enhance category performance. Lead and manage cross‑functional initiatives, preparing and delivering clear updates on progress, risks, and results to stakeholders.
• Support Risk, Compliance & Resiliency Identify and mitigate supply chain risks (capacity, financial, geopolitical, regulatory) Ensure supplier adherence to regulatory and quality requirements Support ESG and sustainability objectives

Benefits

• Medtronic offers a competitive Salary and flexible Benefits Package
• Health, Dental and vision insurance, Health Savings Account, Healthcare Flexible Spending Account, Life insurance, Long-term disability leave, Dependent daycare spending account, Tuition assistance/reimbursement, and Simple Steps (global well-being program).
• Incentive plans, 401(k) plan plus employer contribution and match, Short-term disability, Paid time off, Paid holidays, Employee Stock Purchase Plan, Employee Assistance Program, Non-qualified Retirement Plan Supplement (subject to IRS earning minimums), and Capital Accumulation Plan (available to Vice Presidents and above, or subject to IRS earning minimums).

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level