Category Manager

Role Summary

The Commodity Manager is a strategic procurement specialist over categories spanning direct (production material) and indirect spend (non-production material). Role is agile to support category groups with greatest focus and value opportunity. He/she manages all analytical, strategic and when necessary tactical sourcing activities with the suppliers in his/her responsibility. (= “One voice to supplier)

Main Tasks

• Defines and executes category / material group strategies and initiatives (in coordination with business unit cross functional and corporate procurement teams)
• Initiates and manages cost and spend reduction programs through supplier switching, value analysis value engineering / continuous improvement activities, cross functional ideation and innovation workshops, price negotiations, e-auctions, long term supply agreements, supply base rationalization, should cost/target cost modeling etc….
• Supplier Relationship Management: Manage supply escalations (driven by cost, quality or delivery performance), build strategic partnerships and alliances, define and execute supplier 
• strategy. 
• Ensures competitive total cost of ownership through optimal value delivery, securing best pricing, service level agreements, business continuity and risk mitigation, and drives best in class commercial terms, target cost analysis.
• Contract management over supplier / parts lifetime for all contracts in his/her responsibility
• Manages Request for Quotations, E-Auctions, price estimations in customer or market projects and in serial production for his/her category.
• Facilitates sourcing decision through objective data analysis following negotiations. 
• Organizes Technical Reviews with cross functional departments such as R&D/Engineering.
• Assists with cross functional projects related to their respective category/material group. 
• Updates Purchasing Analyst with commercial material/supplier relevant data in the ERP system.
• Additional duties and materials as assigned. 

Your Profile

Education: 
Required: Bachelor’s degree in supply chain, Business Administration, or another related field. Master’s degree in supply chain, Business preferred
Experience: 

• Minimum 3-5 years strategic procurement experience 

Required Skills: 

• Strong influencing and Negotiating 
• Data analytics 
• Contract Management 
• Microsoft Office tools (Power Bi, Excel, PowerPoint, Word, Outlook) 
• Problem solving and negotiating 
• Business Partnering and Collaborating cross function 
• Solid Business Acumen / End-End Supply chain understanding 
• Ability to travel up to 20% 

Preferred Experience and Skills: 

• Experience working with industry standard ERP systems. 
• Manufacturing background 
• Knowledge and expertise in direct and/or indirect spend categories.