Global Category Manager Indirect Procurement

<p><strong><span>About John Cockerill</span></strong></p> <p> </p> <p><span>Are you ready to shape and implement global category strategies, oversee supplier panels, and optimize performance across Quality, Cost, and Delivery? Join John Cockerill as Global Category Manager Indirect Procurement.</span></p> <p><span>Founded in 1817, John Cockerill supports sustainable innovation to address the major challenges of our time. The Group develops and integrates technological solutions for energy, defense, industry, environment, transport and infrastructure.</span></p> <p><span>With more than 8,000 employees, the Group achieved €1.417 billion revenue in 2024 and operates across 28 countries on 5 continents.</span></p> <p> </p> <p><span>Now you know what we do, <strong>why should you join us?</strong> </span></p> <ul> <li><strong><span>Impactful work</span></strong><span>: contribute to innovative projects focused on sustainable technology.</span></li> <li><strong><span>Global reach</span></strong><span>: collaborate with diverse teams worldwide and enjoy international project exposure (</span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CvUiEakGcsQ&amp;t=72s"><span>discover our international talent</span></a><span>).</span></li> <li><strong><span>Supportive environment</span></strong><span>: benefit from a culture of flexibility, work-life balance, and autonomy.</span></li> <li><strong><span>Expertise and decision-center on the same site</span></strong><span>: enjoy an agile and innovative environment, allowing for faster decisions.</span></li> </ul> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p><strong><u><span>Your role</span></u></strong></p> <p><span>As a <strong>Global Category Manager Indirect Procurement</strong>, you take the lead on one or several Indirect Procurement categories and ensure strategic alignment with corporate objectives while building strong supplier partnerships and delivering long-term, sustainable value.</span></p> <p><span>This is a dynamic role involving both strategic reflection on your categories, operational implementation and suppliers interactions, with a Belgium-France scope.</span></p> <p> </p> <p><span>Your key responsibilities:</span></p> <ul> <li><span>Strategy Development and Action Planning: you define and implement global and regional category strategies, ensuring compliance with group and local requirements. You build and present short-, medium-, and long-term action plans aligned with objectives.</span></li> <li><span>Market Intelligence &amp; Global Reference: you provide comprehensive market insights and trends for assigned categories to support strategic decisions. You act as the global reference expert for your assigned categories within the organization.</span></li> <li><span>Contract Monitoring, Supplier Management and Cost optimization: you monitor supplier performance, ensure timely alignment of category initiatives to prevent unexpected contract expirations, and drive globalization and harmonization where appropriate. You lead cost-reduction initiatives through process improvements, demand management, supplier consolidation, and competitive sourcing, and manage associated negotiations</span></li> <li><span>Negotiations: you lead annual and global negotiations; support project-level negotiations when required</span></li> <li><span>Global Spend Monitoring &amp; Management: you track, analyze, and report global spend for your categories, ensuring visibility, compliance, and alignment with strategic objectives.</span></li> <li><span>Crisis Management: you assist in resolving supply chain disruptions, quality issues, and other critical challenges</span></li> <li><span>Data Integrity: you ensure accuracy and compliance of purchasing data in ERP systems and procurement platforms (e.g., SAP, iValua)</span></li> </ul> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p><strong><u><span>Your team</span></u></strong></p> <p><span>You’ll be joining a growing team of procurement professionals.</span></p> <p><span>The work culture is supportive, with a strong emphasis on knowledge sharing and teamwork. Regular informal gatherings like after-work events, team-building activities, and company dinners create a friendly and engaging environment.</span></p> <p><span>Michael is an international leader with significant experience working abroad, including expatriate roles in China and India. Direct and results-driven, he is currently leading the transformation of the procurement function with a global, proactive and business-oriented approach.</span></p> <p> </p> <p><strong><u><span>Your profile</span></u></strong></p> <p><strong><span>Your experience, knowledge and hard skills:  </span></strong></p> <ul> <li><strong><span>Master’s degree</span></strong><span> in Business, Supply Chain, or related field with a focus on Procurement, or equivalent experience</span></li> <li><span>Ideally, at least <strong>8-10 years of procurement experience</strong>, preferably in indirect categories</span></li> <li><strong><span>Proficiency in English and goo