Category Specialist Jobs in USA with Visa Sponsorship
Category Specialist roles qualify as specialty occupations under H-1B visa and E-3 visa standards when the position requires a bachelor's degree in a directly related field such as business, marketing, or supply chain management. Employers in retail, e-commerce, and consumer goods regularly file LCAs for these roles, making verified sponsorship history a reliable signal when targeting your job search.
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Get Access To All JobsAt 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:
Procurement & Purchasing Manager
In this role you will lead sourcing and procurement activities for electronics commodities supporting ABB’s Bartlesville Analytical manufacturing operations. This role will develop and execute commodity strategies for electronic components, cables, and related products, ensuring suppliers can meet current and future business requirements while optimizing cost, quality, delivery, reliability, and sustainability.
The work model for the role is: Hybrid in Bartlesville, OK. #LI-Hybrid
The successful candidate will partner closely with Engineering, Manufacturing, Planning & Fulfillment, Quality, Logistics, and suppliers to ensure supply continuity, improve supplier performance, identify cost reduction opportunities, and manage supply chain risks.
Your role and responsibilities:
- Develop and execute commodity strategies for electronic components, cables, and related products, aligned with business and procurement objectives.
- Lead strategic sourcing activities, including RFQs, supplier evaluations, negotiations, contract management, and market analysis.
- Manage supplier relationships and performance, driving improvements in cost, quality, delivery, responsiveness, capacity, and reliability.
- Identify and mitigate supply risks, including capacity constraints, long lead times, single-source suppliers, raw material availability, and geopolitical risks, while developing appropriate contingency plans.
- Drive cost optimization through competitive sourcing, negotiations, value engineering, should-cost analysis, and supplier productivity initiatives.
- Partner cross-functionally with Engineering, Manufacturing, Planning & Fulfillment, Quality, Logistics, and Operations to resolve supply issues and support business requirements.
- Support engineering changes, product transfers, supplier changes, and product lifecycle management to ensure continuity of supply.
- Drive supplier development and continuous improvement initiatives while ensuring compliance with ABB procurement policies, contracts, and applicable regulations.
Qualifications for the role:
Required
- Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Supply Chain, Operations Management, Business, or a related field.
- 8+ years of progressive experience in strategic sourcing, procurement, commodity management, or supply chain within a manufacturing or industrial environment.
- Demonstrated experience sourcing PCBA, electronic components, cables, or similar electronic/technical commodities.
- Proven experience with supplier negotiations, supplier relationship management, cost reduction, and supplier performance improvement.
- Strong analytical, negotiation, project management, and stakeholder management skills.
- Experience using SAP and Microsoft Excel.
- Candidates must already have work authorization that would permit them to work for ABB in the US permanently.
Preferred
- Experience reading and interpreting engineering drawings, technical specifications, and Bills of Materials (BOMs), with a strong understanding of manufacturing processes.
- Experience working in a global, highly engineered manufacturing environment and managing complex or international supply chains.
What's in it for you
We empower you to take initiative, challenge ideas, and lead with confidence. You’ll grow through meaningful work, continuous learning, and support that’s tailored to your goals. Every idea you share and every action you take contributes to something bigger.
ABB is an Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer for protected Veterans and Individuals with Disabilities at ABB.
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to their sex (gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation), marital status, citizenship, age, race and ethnicity, inclusive of traits historically associated with race or ethnicity, including but not limited to hair texture and protective hairstyles, color, religious creed, national origin, pregnancy, physical or mental disability, genetic information, protected Veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal and state law.
For more information regarding your (EEO) rights as an applicant, please visit the following websites: https://www.eeoc.gov/sites/default/files/2023-06/22-088_EEOC_KnowYourRights6.12ScreenRdr.pdf
As an Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer for Protected Veterans and Individuals with Disabilities, applicants may request to review the plan of a particular ABB facility between the hours of 9:00 A.M. - 5:00 P.M. EST Monday through Friday by contacting an ABB HR Representative at 1-888-694-7762.
Protected Veterans and Individuals with Disabilities may request a reasonable accommodation if you are unable or limited in your ability to use or access ABB's career site as a result of your disability. You may request reasonable accommodations by calling an ABB HR Representative at 1-888-694-7762 or by sending an email to US-AskHR@abb.com. Resumes and applications will not be accepted in this manner.
ABB Benefit Summary for eligible US employees
[excludes ABB E-mobility, Athens union, Puerto Rico]
Go to MyBenefitsABB.com and click on “Candidate/Guest” to learn more.
Health, Life & Disability
- Choice between two medical plan options: A PPO plan called the Copay Plan OR a High Deductible Health Plan (with a Health Savings Account) called the High Deductible Plan.
- Choice between two dental plan options: Core and Core Plus.
- Vision benefit.
- Company paid life insurance (2X base pay).
- Company paid AD&D (1X base pay).
- Voluntary life and AD&D – 100% employee paid up to maximums.
- Short Term Disability – up to 26 weeks – Company paid.
- Long Term Disability – 60% of pay – Company paid. Ability to “buy-up” to 66 2/3% of pay.
- Supplemental benefits – 100% employee paid (Accident insurance, hospital indemnity, critical illness, pet insurance).
- Paid Parental Leave.
- Employee Assistance Program.
- Health Advocate support resources for mental/behavioral health, general health navigation and virtual health, and infertility/adoption.
- Employee discount program.
Retirement
- 401k Savings Plan with Company Contributions.
- Employee Stock Acquisition Plan (ESAP).
Time off
ABB provides 11 paid holidays. Salaried exempt positions are provided vacation under a permissive time away policy.
Building a cleaner, smarter future takes all kinds of minds: the curious, the courageous, and the creative. That's why we welcome people from all backgrounds and experiences.
Ready to make an impact?
Apply today or visit https://www.abb.com to learn more about the impact of our solutions across the globe.
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:
Procurement & Purchasing Manager
In this role you will lead sourcing and procurement activities for electronics commodities supporting ABB’s Bartlesville Analytical manufacturing operations. This role will develop and execute commodity strategies for electronic components, cables, and related products, ensuring suppliers can meet current and future business requirements while optimizing cost, quality, delivery, reliability, and sustainability.
The work model for the role is: Hybrid in Bartlesville, OK. #LI-Hybrid
The successful candidate will partner closely with Engineering, Manufacturing, Planning & Fulfillment, Quality, Logistics, and suppliers to ensure supply continuity, improve supplier performance, identify cost reduction opportunities, and manage supply chain risks.
Your role and responsibilities:
- Develop and execute commodity strategies for electronic components, cables, and related products, aligned with business and procurement objectives.
- Lead strategic sourcing activities, including RFQs, supplier evaluations, negotiations, contract management, and market analysis.
- Manage supplier relationships and performance, driving improvements in cost, quality, delivery, responsiveness, capacity, and reliability.
- Identify and mitigate supply risks, including capacity constraints, long lead times, single-source suppliers, raw material availability, and geopolitical risks, while developing appropriate contingency plans.
- Drive cost optimization through competitive sourcing, negotiations, value engineering, should-cost analysis, and supplier productivity initiatives.
- Partner cross-functionally with Engineering, Manufacturing, Planning & Fulfillment, Quality, Logistics, and Operations to resolve supply issues and support business requirements.
- Support engineering changes, product transfers, supplier changes, and product lifecycle management to ensure continuity of supply.
- Drive supplier development and continuous improvement initiatives while ensuring compliance with ABB procurement policies, contracts, and applicable regulations.
Qualifications for the role:
Required
- Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Supply Chain, Operations Management, Business, or a related field.
- 8+ years of progressive experience in strategic sourcing, procurement, commodity management, or supply chain within a manufacturing or industrial environment.
- Demonstrated experience sourcing PCBA, electronic components, cables, or similar electronic/technical commodities.
- Proven experience with supplier negotiations, supplier relationship management, cost reduction, and supplier performance improvement.
- Strong analytical, negotiation, project management, and stakeholder management skills.
- Experience using SAP and Microsoft Excel.
- Candidates must already have work authorization that would permit them to work for ABB in the US permanently.
Preferred
- Experience reading and interpreting engineering drawings, technical specifications, and Bills of Materials (BOMs), with a strong understanding of manufacturing processes.
- Experience working in a global, highly engineered manufacturing environment and managing complex or international supply chains.
What's in it for you
We empower you to take initiative, challenge ideas, and lead with confidence. You’ll grow through meaningful work, continuous learning, and support that’s tailored to your goals. Every idea you share and every action you take contributes to something bigger.
ABB is an Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer for protected Veterans and Individuals with Disabilities at ABB.
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to their sex (gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation), marital status, citizenship, age, race and ethnicity, inclusive of traits historically associated with race or ethnicity, including but not limited to hair texture and protective hairstyles, color, religious creed, national origin, pregnancy, physical or mental disability, genetic information, protected Veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal and state law.
For more information regarding your (EEO) rights as an applicant, please visit the following websites: https://www.eeoc.gov/sites/default/files/2023-06/22-088_EEOC_KnowYourRights6.12ScreenRdr.pdf
As an Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer for Protected Veterans and Individuals with Disabilities, applicants may request to review the plan of a particular ABB facility between the hours of 9:00 A.M. - 5:00 P.M. EST Monday through Friday by contacting an ABB HR Representative at 1-888-694-7762.
Protected Veterans and Individuals with Disabilities may request a reasonable accommodation if you are unable or limited in your ability to use or access ABB's career site as a result of your disability. You may request reasonable accommodations by calling an ABB HR Representative at 1-888-694-7762 or by sending an email to US-AskHR@abb.com. Resumes and applications will not be accepted in this manner.
ABB Benefit Summary for eligible US employees
[excludes ABB E-mobility, Athens union, Puerto Rico]
Go to MyBenefitsABB.com and click on “Candidate/Guest” to learn more.
Health, Life & Disability
- Choice between two medical plan options: A PPO plan called the Copay Plan OR a High Deductible Health Plan (with a Health Savings Account) called the High Deductible Plan.
- Choice between two dental plan options: Core and Core Plus.
- Vision benefit.
- Company paid life insurance (2X base pay).
- Company paid AD&D (1X base pay).
- Voluntary life and AD&D – 100% employee paid up to maximums.
- Short Term Disability – up to 26 weeks – Company paid.
- Long Term Disability – 60% of pay – Company paid. Ability to “buy-up” to 66 2/3% of pay.
- Supplemental benefits – 100% employee paid (Accident insurance, hospital indemnity, critical illness, pet insurance).
- Paid Parental Leave.
- Employee Assistance Program.
- Health Advocate support resources for mental/behavioral health, general health navigation and virtual health, and infertility/adoption.
- Employee discount program.
Retirement
- 401k Savings Plan with Company Contributions.
- Employee Stock Acquisition Plan (ESAP).
Time off
ABB provides 11 paid holidays. Salaried exempt positions are provided vacation under a permissive time away policy.
Building a cleaner, smarter future takes all kinds of minds: the curious, the courageous, and the creative. That's why we welcome people from all backgrounds and experiences.
Ready to make an impact?
Apply today or visit https://www.abb.com to learn more about the impact of our solutions across the globe.
See all 62+ Category Specialist Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Category Specialist roles.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding Visa Sponsorship as a Category Specialist
Frame your degree as directly related
Category Specialists face more scrutiny than analysts or engineers when proving specialty occupation status. Document how your degree in business, marketing, supply chain, or merchandising directly applies to assortment planning, vendor negotiation, or category strategy in your role description.
Search LCA filings by job title
Use the OFLC Wage Search to look up certified LCAs under titles like 'Category Specialist,' 'Category Manager,' or 'Merchandising Analyst.' Employers with consistent annual filings under those exact titles have already cleared the specialty occupation argument with DOL.
Target retail and e-commerce headquarters specifically
Corporate headquarters locations for major retailers and e-commerce companies concentrate Category Specialist roles and sponsor internationally far more than regional offices or distribution centers. Migrate Mate shows employers with verified LCA filing history for this role, searchable by city.
Align your O*NET profile to the job posting
Pull the O*NET profile for Category Managers and Buyers to identify the task language employers use in LCA filings. Matching that language in your resume and cover letter strengthens the degree-to-role connection USCIS evaluates during H-1B adjudication.
Clarify PERM requirements before accepting an offer
If an employer wants to sponsor you for a green card alongside your H-1B, ask whether PERM labor certification is part of their standard process for this role. Some consumer goods companies start PERM concurrently with H-1B approval, which matters for your long-term timeline.
Confirm LCA wage level matches your experience tier
Category Specialist LCAs are filed at Wage Levels I through IV, and your offered salary must meet the prevailing wage for the level listed. If your offer reflects senior responsibilities, verify the LCA wage level isn't set at Level I, which would create a compliance gap at USCIS.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Category Specialist role qualify as a specialty occupation for H-1B purposes?
It can, but it requires careful documentation. USCIS expects the employer to show that a bachelor's degree in a specific field, such as business, marketing, supply chain management, or a related discipline, is a standard and normal requirement for the position. Generalist titles sometimes draw Requests for Evidence, so the job description must clearly tie degree-level knowledge to the core duties.
Which visa types are realistic for Category Specialist candidates?
H-1B is the most common path for Category Specialists from countries without a bilateral agreement. Australian nationals can pursue the E-3, which has no lottery and an annual cap that has never been exhausted. Canadian and Mexican nationals may qualify under TN visa if the role maps to a recognized USMCA profession. F-1 OPT and STEM OPT are common bridge options while securing long-term sponsorship.
How do I find employers who actively sponsor Category Specialist roles?
Migrate Mate lists employers with verified LCA filing history for Category Specialist and related titles, searchable by city and role. This lets you target companies that have already cleared the specialty occupation argument with DOL rather than approaching employers who have never sponsored this job title before.
What degree fields most strongly support a Category Specialist H-1B petition?
Degrees in business administration, marketing, supply chain management, economics, retail management, or industrial engineering align most directly with Category Specialist duties. A degree in an unrelated field, even if you have years of relevant experience, creates a harder specialty occupation argument. USCIS evaluates whether the degree field has a logical and direct relationship to the specific job duties described in the LCA.
Can a Category Specialist role qualify for STEM OPT extension?
Only if the role sits under a STEM-designated CIP code matched to your degree. Most Category Specialist positions don't qualify, but roles that require quantitative analysis, data modeling, or operations research skills and are tied to a STEM-designated degree, such as supply chain analytics or industrial engineering, may be eligible. Your Designated School Official can confirm whether your specific degree CIP code qualifies.
What is the prevailing wage requirement for sponsored Category Specialist jobs?
U.S. employers sponsoring a visa must pay at least the prevailing wage, which is what workers in the same role, area, and experience level typically earn. The Department of Labor sets this rate to make sure companies aren't hiring foreign workers simply because they'd accept lower pay than a U.S. worker. It varies by job title, location, and experience. You can look up current prevailing wage rates for any occupation and location using the OFLC Wage Search page.