Category Manager

• Responsible for all commercial relationships with suppliers within the assigned commodity areas, securing targeted levels of cost, quality, delivery precision, sustainability, etc.
• Based on strategic direction from the global supply chain, develop and implement assigned commodity strategies that meet internal and external customer demands in terms of best value (safety, quality, delivery, total costs and innovation) on a continuous basis.
• Drive value by implementing strategic sourcing and entering into cost efficient agreements that fulfil supply requirements within the assigned commodities.
• Drive supplier performance, contract effectiveness, collaboration and integration and deliver improved results with key suppliers within assigned commodities. Responsible for supplier performance and rating based on Key Performance Metrics (KPI) for Quality, Delivery, and Cost.
• Find and develop new suppliers, if needed, in accordance with global purchasing guidelines.
• Develop and implement approved strategies for assigned commodities that actively search for performance improvement and cost reduction opportunities by understanding customer needs, supply market trends and innovation
• Conduct detailed demand, spend, cost and market analysis and a structured approach to tendering and negotiating with suppliers given the assigned commodity strategy
• Manage the total lifecycle of a supplier contract, including submission to legal, expiration alerts, etc. within the commodities assigned.
• Segment suppliers and manage supplier relationships to drive supplier development and integration for existing, new and potential suppliers
• Conduct and follow up Purchase Price Variance (PPV) activities, budgeting, forecast and actual, and annual price negotiations as well as any other initiatives for assigned commodities.

• Works closely with sales, order fulfilment, finance, manufacturing and other functions to establish an efficient and effective supply chain, which is measured on on-time delivery, DPPM, material costs PPV.

• Bachelor’s Degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration or relevant field
• Minimum 5 years of purchasing experience, preferably in commodity management positions

• Master’s Degree and recognized certification in Purchasing
• Experience with specific commodity
• Change management experience
• Previous experience in a high-mix / low volume manufacturing environment
  
  

• Extensive knowledge of the purchasing environment for the commodities managed with the capability to analyse business procurement issues, recommend solutions and strategies and implement changes
• Strong knowledge of the strategic sourcing methodology and its application (e.g. fact-based negotiations and cross functional team collaboration, TCO modelling)

• Strong knowledge of assigned commodities

• Demonstrated ability to effectively manage strategic supplier relationships, including relationship building, performance, development and integration
• Demonstrated understanding the importance of customer service and internal stakeholder management
• Results-oriented and demonstrated ability to effectively manage multiple priorities simultaneously and meet critical deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
  
  
• Strong negotiation skills, including an understanding of legal terms and conditions
  
  
• Strong analytical skills, including a demonstrated ability to synthesize, interpret, and communicate market and competitive data
  
  
• Strong organization and problem-solving skills
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, as well as teamwork and interpersonal skills, to include the ability to develop high quality working relationships both internally and externally with customers and suppliers.
• Demonstrated ability to be flexible and adaptive to internal processes and change, delays or unexpected events

• Proficiency at the intermediate to experienced level in MS Office software applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Project)
• Ability to maintain confidentiality regarding proprietary company information
• Ability to travel up to 50% to domestic and/or international sites as required; first 6-9 months additional travel to the European sites slightly required.