Category Manager (f/m/x) Direct Procurement

The Category Manager is responsible for leading and managing an assigned procurement category on a global level. The role focuses on developing and implementing category strategies, managing strategic supplier relationships, driving cost optimization initiatives, and ensuring alignment with business stakeholders across countries and functions. In addition, the Category Manager plays a key leadership role in guiding procurement teams, delivering savings targets, and supporting the organization's overall procurement objectives.

• Develop and implement global category strategies while incorporating local business requirements and market needs.
• Manage and continuously optimize the assigned category in line with the global procurement strategy.
• Build, maintain, and strengthen strategic supplier relationships and preferred partner networks worldwide.
• Lead global sourcing initiatives, tenders, contract negotiations, and supplier agreements in collaboration with Legal and key stakeholders.
• Drive cost savings, supplier harmonization, spend management, and economies of scale across the organization.
• Challenge and advise business stakeholders on supplier strategies, standardization opportunities, make-or-buy decisions, and design-to-cost initiatives.
• Conduct supplier, market, and risk analyses and develop effective mitigation measures to ensure supply continuity.
• Lead and develop category team members while fostering cross-functional collaboration and knowledge sharing.

• University degree in Business Administration, Supply Chain Management, Engineering, Procurement, or a related discipline.
• Extensive experience in strategic procurement and category management within an international environment.
• Strong expertise in developing and executing procurement and category strategies.
• Excellent negotiation skills and proven experience managing strategic supplier relationships.
• Strong analytical, conceptual, and commercial thinking abilities.
• Outstanding project management, communication, stakeholder management, and conflict resolution skills.
• Fluent English language skills are mandatory; additional languages are an advantage.
• Proficiency in MS Office; experience with SAP S/4HANA, Ariba, and the healthcare sector is desirable. Willingness to travel internationally (approx. 25%).