Global Category Manager - Directs

Gear up for an exhilarating ride with a Global automotive powerhouse and one of our esteemed clients. They're in the fast lane of a transformative journey in procurement, and they're on the lookout for Global Category Managers across various direct categories to play a pivotal role in steering their success as they implement Global category management. These include the likes of electronics, metals, plastics, resins and more.

Our clients commitment to innovation and technological advancements in the automotive industry is well respected!

Location and Perks:

• This exciting role is based in Germany, various work locations to suit.
• Embrace the flexibility of hybrid working arrangements.
• Unlock excellent growth opportunities and be part of this exciting journey!

Your Role:

Category Strategy:

• Pioneer the roadmap for the preferred supplier set, setting new benchmarks.
• Shape category guidelines and fuel spend productivity ambitions that redefine success.
• Innovate with initiatives and category-wide volume allocation principles in line with their make vs buy strategy.

Category Vision:

• Contribute to their future by curating a robust pipeline of potential suppliers.
• Mastermind driver-based supply scenarios that continue to position our client as a leader in the industry.

Demand Forecasting:

• Utilize your expertise to maintain category-wide demand forecasts, ensuring a smooth journey ahead.

Supplier Set Management:

• Be the architect of change by identifying and defining the supplier set.
• Lead the charge in screening, approving, and auditing new suppliers (through SQA).
• Seal the deal by negotiating and signing frame contracts with their esteemed suppliers.

Supplier Evaluation:

• Assume the role of an annual supplier maestro, evaluating suppliers with a client-focused approach.
• Lead the charge in developing supplier improvement action plans.
• Ensure the symphony of change echoes through their suppliers.

Annual Supplier Meetings:

• Take centre stage as you prepare and lead annual meetings.
• Share the client's category strategy, discuss evaluation results, and negotiate overall supplier productivity.

Spend Productivity:

• Take charge of implementing action plans to revolutionize in-series spend, driving cost improvements.
• Conduct a symphony of spend analytics that align with our clients goals.

Should-Cost Modelling:

• Showcase your expertise in developing should-cost models for their target costing tool.
• Keep the tool finely tuned as the subject matter expert.

Escalation Management:

• Be the peacekeeper, resolving and negotiating strategic issues and claims with suppliers, ensuring our client continues its journey smoothly.

Supplier Relationship:

• Design a symphony of supplier relationships, crafting a plan that resonates with the wider vision.
• Forge connections with key counterparts on the supplier side.

Our client requires strong knowledge and experience in global procurement and category management (ideally within the automotive or related industries) within the desired direct categories such as electronics, metals, plastics, fasteners, resins or paints / coating, expertise and skills in negotiating and managing supplier contracts, strong analytical skills and naturally excellent communication and presentation skills.

Embark on this incredible journey and redefine the future of automotive procurement together!