Category Procurement Manager

A leading company in the tires industry is searching for a talented and experienced **Category Procurement Manager** to join their dynamic team. In this role, you will be responsible for developing and executing procurement strategies for specific product categories, ensuring alignment with business goals while optimizing costs and enhancing supplier relationships.

**Key Responsibilities**:

- **Develop and Execute Sourcing Plans**: Create and implement comprehensive sourcing strategies to meet organizational needs and drive cost savings.
- **Lead Contract Management**: Negotiate and manage all commercial agreements with suppliers, ensuring favorable terms and compliance.
- **Supplier Relationship Management (SRM)**: Foster and maintain effective relationships with key suppliers to ensure continuity and enhance collaboration and performance.
- **Mitigate Supply Risks**: Identify and analyze potential supply risks and develop strategies to address them proactively.
- **Market Awareness**: Stay updated on the external and internal automotive industry environment and other external factors to share insights with relevant departments and to identify future opportunities and risks and capitalize on the information proactively.
- **Leverage Data for Decision-Making**: Utilize procurement and market data to analyze performance, identify trends, and inform strategic decisions to enhance procurement efficiency and effectiveness.
- **Flexibility in Planning**: Plan all procurement activities while being adaptable to changes in the business environment.
- **Continuous Improvement**: Take ownership of the entire category procurement, constantly reviewing current practices to identify supply SWOT and proactively grow the category.
- **Optimize and Reduce Procurement Costs**: Conduct thorough market analysis and supplier negotiations to ensure competitive pricing and achieve cost reduction objectives.
- **Lead Price Negotiations**: Effectively negotiate pricing and all commercial terms with suppliers to secure the best value for the organization.
- **Budget Management and Cost Control**: Establish annual procurement budgets, monitor spending, and ensure alignment with financial targets while identifying cost-saving opportunities.
- **Quality Assurance**: Verify that all procured products meet the company's quality standards and market requirements through supplier audits and consistent monitoring.

**Requirements**:

- **Experience**: 7-10 years of experience in procurement, particularly in tires & batteries, automotive industry, or related trade sectors, with a proven track record of managing end-to-end procurement processes and leading strategic sourcing & negotiations practices.
- **Solid Experience in New Supplier Development**: Experience in sourcing and establishing relationships with suppliers and conducting market research to identify opportunities and threats.
- **Supplier Relationship Management**: Demonstrated success in maintaining and strengthening supplier relationships.
- **Excellent Negotiation Skills**: Proficiency in negotiating effectively with suppliers to achieve the best outcomes.
- **Excellent Networking Skills**: Ability to build and maintain a network of contacts within the industry.
- **Strong Communication Skills**: Expert in articulating procurement strategies and negotiating effectively, ensuring clear and impactful communication across different levels and backgrounds.
- **Presentation Skills**: Proficient in delivering presentations to suppliers and internal stakeholders, effectively conveying procurement strategies and insights.
- **Advanced Analytical Skills**: Proficient in data analysis and reporting to inform procurement strategies.
- **Business & Entrepreneurial Mindset**: Ability to think strategically and understand market dynamics that influence procurement decisions.
- **Agility**: Ability to adapt quickly to changing market conditions and business needs, demonstrating flexibility in problem-solving and decision-making.
- **Strategic Thinker**: Strong ability to balance cost, quality, and delivery timelines in procurement decisions.
- **Proactive and Self-Driven**: Committed to achieving results and continuously improving procurement practices.
- **Exposure**: Well-exposed to different markets and cultures, enhancing the ability to navigate diverse supplier landscapes.
- **Culturally Sensitive**: Able to work effectively across diverse environments and backgrounds.
- **Detail-Oriented**: Possesses a strong attention to detail, ensuring accuracy in procurement processes and documentation, while actively identifying opportunities and effectively utilizing them to drive category growth.

**Education**:

- Bachelor’s degree in business administration, Supply Chain Management, or a related field.
- Further education or certifications in procurement or business-related fields (e.g., CPP, CIPS, MBA) are a plus.

**Benefits**

Attractive Package