The Global Category Sourcing Lead is responsible for global category management of raw materials and procurement activities for direct and indirect materials require in Research & Development locally. This includes the strategic relationship, the contracting, performance review, and improvement of the supply base. 

Your Responsibilities

• Lead the development and implementation of global sourcing strategies and global supplier network capabilities for assigned categories to achieve key business goals: Time to Market, Cost Reduction, Lead Time Reduction and Supplier Business Continuity in ramp-up and ramp-down situations.
• Communicates commodity strategies across the organization, the Business Units and NPI Operations to ensure sourcing decisions and product development aligns with strategic supplier selections.
• Formulate negotiation strategy to proactively drive cost reduction with suppliers in a complex, high mix/ low volume environment to meet strategic, operational and financial performance targets.
• Total commodity ownership, including supplier relationship management in alignment with the needs of the business, the global supply strategy and specific commodity strategies. Inclusive of actively approaching the supplier market by means of investigating, screening, pre-selection of and negotiation with new or alternative suppliers for a product group/line of business.
• Responsible for total supplier performance: Measure and manage vs. key targets, compliance to agreements and implementing improvement roadmaps to address gaps.
• Work effectively with internal stakeholders cross-functionally and cross-regionally, as well as those of external partnerships who are critical to meeting key objectives.
• Maintain and provide current understanding on industry and technology trends for the assigned categories.
• Acting as interface between suppliers and business regarding tactical issues, pricing, quality while maintaining continuity of supply by taking ownership of tactical issues, facilitating work through others, and driving the team to closure.
• Act as a Procurement Business Partner to the R&D function locally to proactively understand up to date  business needs and requirements and provide sourcing activities accordingly or link back the needs to the rest of category lead globally for further actions.

Your Profile

• Minimum Bachelor’s Degree in Supply Chain Management, Engineering, or similar field.
• Minimum 10 years of experience in supply chain, manufacturing or similar high technology manufacturing environment.
• You must have worked for at least 5 years in Procurement or Commodity management, with demonstrated increase of responsibilities.
• Experience in raw material sourcing in adhesive/plastic/metal or related category . Operational background a plus.
• Good knowledge of mechanical parts and ability to read and understand technical drawings & specifications.
• Experience in medical devices or pharmaceutical manufacturing environment is a plus.
• Must have knowledge in SAP MM Modules.
• Strong in negotiation skills with vendors and able to write contracts with vendors.
• Strong intercultural experience and excellent interpersonal skills.
• Ability to read and understand blue prints.

What we offer

• being encouraged to think and act entrepreneurially.
• working in global teams and projects.
• developing yourself professionally.