Job Title: Category Manager - Procurement Excellence
Location: Germany
Company: My client is a leading freight forwarding company committed to excellence in procurement and logistics solutions for their customers within the industrial markets and consumer goods.
Overview: As part of our ongoing transformation in indirect procurement, we are seeking a highly skilled Category Manager to lead our efforts in Procurement Excellence. This role will be pivotal in driving strategic initiatives, optimizing supplier relationships, and enhancing procurement processes within our organization.
Responsibilities:
Category Strategy Development:
- Develop and implement a comprehensive category strategy for indirect procurement, focusing on freight forwarding services, logistics solutions, and associated services.
- Conduct thorough market analysis, identify cost-saving opportunities, and leverage insights to optimize procurement processes.
Supplier Relationship Management:
- Cultivate and maintain strategic relationships with key suppliers, negotiating favorable terms and agreements to ensure quality, reliability, and cost-effectiveness.
- Drive supplier performance evaluations and implement improvement plans to enhance supplier capabilities and meet company objectives.
Procurement Process Optimization:
- Streamline procurement processes and procedures to improve efficiency, reduce lead times, and enhance overall effectiveness.
- Implement best practices and innovative solutions to drive procurement excellence, ensuring compliance with relevant regulations and standards.
Cross-functional Collaboration:
- Collaborate closely with internal stakeholders, including operations, finance, and IT, to align procurement strategies with business objectives and drive continuous improvement.
- Act as a trusted advisor, providing guidance on procurement-related matters and fostering a culture of procurement excellence throughout the organization.
Performance Monitoring and Reporting:
- Establish KPIs and performance metrics to monitor the effectiveness of procurement initiatives, tracking savings, supplier performance, and other key indicators.
- Prepare regular reports and presentations for senior management, highlighting achievements, identifying areas for improvement, and recommending actionable insights.
Qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Supply Chain Management, or a related field; Master's degree preferred.
- Proven experience in indirect procurement, preferably within the freight forwarding or logistics industry.
- Strong negotiation skills and a demonstrated ability to drive cost savings and optimize supplier relationships.
- Excellent analytical skills, with the ability to leverage data and insights to inform decision-making and drive strategic initiatives.
- Solid understanding of procurement processes, contract management, and supplier risk management.
- Experience in process optimization and driving continuous improvement initiatives.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively across functions and influence stakeholders at all levels.
- Fluency in German and English; additional languages a plus.
Benefits:
- Competitive salary and performance-based incentives.
- Comprehensive benefits package, including health insurance and retirement plans.
- Opportunities for professional development and career advancement within a dynamic and growing organization.
- A supportive and collaborative work environment that values diversity and innovation.