Category Manager (Global Logistics)
- Zwolle, Overijssel
- Vast
- Voltijds
- Partner with Director/VP-level business or functional stakeholders to develop category-specific procurement strategies and contribute to the development of a comprehensive annual strategic plan for the relevant category, incorporating category strategies that align with overall business goals.
- Relay insights and market intelligence from team analysis to Directors and Associate Directors to inform strategic decision-making, staying abreast of industry trends, emerging technologies, and market dynamics.
- Manage strategic value drivers with key category suppliers to secure collaborative partnerships that challenge the status quo to achieve cost savings, optimize processes, and enhance overall procurement value.
- Manage and monitor supplier performance on sustainability and environmental, social, and governance (ESG) measures, working alongside suppliers to enhance sustainable and responsible sourcing practices.
- Enable Supplier Relationship Management (SRM) strategies, driving innovation with key category suppliers and collaborating to enact creative and cutting-edge solutions to deliver on long-term business needs. Implement mitigation strategies to proactively manage procurement risk across the relevant category, overseeing process and policy compliance.
- Ensure effective project management from initiation to completion, managing and driving cross-functional teams to deliver strategic category-related projects.
- Implement opportunities for process optimization and efficiency gains, leveraging data analytics to develop long-term continuous improvement programs that achieve strategic objectives.
- Assist with the end-to-end procurement process from sourcing strategy to contract negotiation and execution, enabling negotiations with category suppliers and facilitating decisions by conducting required analysis and preparation.
- Manage a team, monitoring and reporting progress toward performance targets. Identify capability gaps and assist in developing focused action plans to address workforce requirements and team needs
- Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Supply Chain Management or related field. Master's degree is preferred.
- Minimum of 7 years of experience in procurement, supply chain, or related business or operations function.
- Previous experience managing teams in a procurement function and leading supplier relationships.
- Strong proficiency in Microsoft Office suite (Power Platform).
- Knowledge of the pharmaceutical industry is preferred.
- Specific and tactical expertise in category management, including market analysis, cost and financial assessment, ensuring strategic and informed procurement decisions.
- Ability to assist in negotiation and bidding, adept in implementing complex projects with a focus on effective change management.
- Strong capacity and experience building and managing collaborative supplier relationships, aligning procurement activities with business needs.
- Strong interpersonal skills and emotional intelligence, facilitating empathetic interactions, effective communication, and robust relationship-building across a matrixed organization.