Category Manager

Job Description

Category Management is responsible for managing diverse strategic supplier partnerships that drive enterprise value with innovation, best cost and competitive advantages that benefit customers, suppliers and patients. 

The Category Manager supports the development and implementation of long-term strategies for assigned category (Plastics, Metal, Electrics/Mechanicals, OEM/CM, etc.), by clearly understanding the current status and internal requirements, leveraging market intelligence and industry knowledge, in close collaboration with internal stakeholders and the global/regional procurement organization, with a deep knowledge about global and regional market trends as well as manufacturing processes.

This role is responsible for management of tenders, price and contract negotiations through supplier relationship programs and their conclusion as well as driving cost improvement, risk mitigation, and state-of-the-art technology.

Job Duties

SC Centre of Excellence focus on three domains; 1, Strategy, Process Improvement and Data and Technology.

• Responsible for the procurement category management of one or more of the assigned categories; plastics, metals, electrical/mechanical, packaging, and ceramics, OEM/CM, etc.
• Proactive leadership and management with cross-functional partners to effectively select suppliers, negotiate contracts, and be responsible for supplier performance management and relationships. Understand portfolio risk profile of managed categories.  Develop mitigation action and plans. Closely collaborate with global procurement organization.
• Collaborate with and influence business partners in a highly matrixed environment to optimize key supplier performance and innovation. Influence business decisions to enter/exit product lines, drive make/buy decisions and implement supply optimization.
• Perform data analysis and utilize financial acumen to identify opportunities to leverage scale and drive cost savings. Drives annual cost savings through effective strategies and negotiations.
• Global expertise in category including technical product knowledge, cost drivers, related industry dynamics and market trends. Ensure early supplier identification and selection, working closely with regional Advanced Sourcing Team.
• Supports the development and implementation of global supply strategies to achieve best total value, sustainable productivity and high levels of quality and service aligned with business objectives.
• Develop and drive continuous improvements in Category Management processes.
• Other essential duties as requested.

Job Qualifications

Required:

• Bachelor’s degree in business or a related discipline, MBA or equivalent preferred.
• Minimum 5+ years' experience in management of purchasing categories and/or Sourcing.
• Other Considerations (travel/hours availability, etc.): Ability to travel domestically and internationally up to 20%.

Preferred:

• Experience working in the medical device, healthcare, or other highly regulated industry preferred.
• Experience of cost improvement (should cost analysis, global market benchmark), risk mitigation (business continuity plan, supply standardization) and technology involvement.Strong project and process management to execute supply strategy with cross functional teams.
• Expertise with contract requirements to negotiate critical terms and conditions in line with category strategy.
• Experience managing and partnering with suppliers as well as internal stakeholders, Experience of SRM-applications is a plus.
• Experience in leading and participating on cross-functional and/or global teams, and a track record of successfully leading projects and problem-solving initiatives of an international supply base.
• Familiarity with manufacturing, quality and supply chain processes to support supplier selection and performance management.
• Strategic mind-set and hands-on approach.
• Ability to condense and present complex information to key personnel in meaningful reports and presentations.
• Strong interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills; in a multicultural environment with all management levels, able to communicate effectively and interact with personnel at various levels of expertise on a global landscape.
• Strong results orientation and ability to quickly establish priorities.
• Deep knowledge about market situation for multiple categories.
• Good technical understanding.
• Good knowledge of ERP-systems (e. g. SAP, Oracle) and MS-Office-applications.