Category Specialist

The Opportunity

How You'll Make An Impact

• Support implementation, maintenance, and compliance of SCM practices such as Strategic Sourcing, Process & Excellence, Risk Management, and Supply Base Management & Quality.
• Design and implement plans for local sources to reach business targets and support regional and global sourcing initiatives.
• Drive implementation of global SCM initiatives and monitor performance and global SCM KPIs.
• Identify and select suppliers and materials and support development of regional/global sourcing strategies in alignment with Category Managers.
• Develop SCM sourcing concepts including number and type of suppliers needed, make-or-buy comparisons, cost scenarios, and new materials.
• Share sourcing concepts with stakeholders and agree on actions, responsibilities, and deadlines.
• Work with Category Managers and Supplier Quality Engineers for supplier selection and identify the need for new supplier developments for critical materials.
• Coordinate and implement sourcing strategies to identify, analyze, evaluate, audit, and monitor suppliers.
• Conduct all SCM activities for goods and services in accordance with policies and procedures.
• Manage contracts, adapt the corporate contractual framework to local business needs, and recommend frame agreements to management.
• Support bid and proposal teams by providing relevant market information.
• Plan, initialize, and monitor strategic sourcing activities for projects, new product developments, early supplier involvement, and design-to-cost aspects.

Additional Responsibilities

• Leverage the Continuous Improvement Process Sourcing (CIPS) process and initiate and improve operational excellence and supplier performance.
• Manage Supplier Performance Evaluation (SPE) results and cost targets in new developments.
• Manage relationships with key suppliers to ensure timely delivery, quality, and compliance with contractual terms.
• Oversee supplier performance (on-time delivery, quality, lead time) and resolve performance issues.
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders such as engineering, planning, and fulfillment to secure material availability in production.
• Apply standards on health, safety, environment, and business ethics within operational work, contract management, and negotiations.
• Ensure compliance with applicable external and internal regulations, procedures, and guidelines.

Your Background

• Bachelor's degree or above in Engineering, Economics, Business Administration, or Supply Chain Management, or equivalent work experience.
• Minimum 10 years of working experience in Engineering, Purchasing, and Supply Chain Management.
• Collaborative, solutions-oriented approach and strong communication skills.
• Results orientation with proven implementation skills.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, including the ability to influence and persuade.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks efficiently daily.
• Compliance and ethics oriented.
• Flexibility to travel up to 15%.
• Proficiency in both spoken and written English language is required.

Preferred Qualifications

• CPSM or PMP certifications, SAP experience, documentation management systems, Power BI, and proficiency with Microsoft Office are preferred.