Category Manager Indirect

Job Title

Job Description

Introduction

Vanderlande is seeking a new Category Manager CAPEX/Facilities/Prof. Services to drive strategic category management across our procurement activities. You will be part of the Procurement department and report directly into the Head of Global Indirect Spend. As Category Manager, you will develop and execute category strategies to optimize and enhance our procurement activities, aligning them with business needs. Your leadership will be critical in managing complex sourcing events and fostering strong supplier relationships to ensure our procurement activities align with business objectives and ethical standards.

Our global procurement organization enables our projects and business functions by maximizing value and minimizing risks via the procurement of goods and services in the most smart, cost-effective and sustainable way. We ensure a resilient and competitive supplier ecosystem and aim to advance towards best-in-class practices, and ensure the organization is efficient, effective, and future-proof. Furthermore, our procurement organization plays an important role in Vanderlande's transformation from an Engineer-to-Order (ETO) to a Configure-to-Order (CTO) business model. This new model aims at enhancing value for its customers through increased standardization, scalability, and more competitive solutions.

What will you be doing?​

As a Category Manager, you will lead strategic initiatives to optimize category performance, focusing on cost savings, stakeholder collaboration and supplier relationship management. You will set up and coordinate cross-functional category teams (e.g., with Facilities, HR), develop and implement optimal category strategies, lead complex sourcing events, and ensure compliance with sourcing policies and legal requirements. Your role is crucial in aligning category activities with Vanderlande's strategic goals and integrating them effectively across the procurement domain.

Responsibilities

• Develop and coordinate category strategy in alignment with category cluster strategy, setting up cross-functional category teams (e.g., with Facilities, HR), analyzing internal business needs, coordinating supply market research, identifying new suppliers, recognizing opportunities for cost savings in your assigned categories and commissioning detailed cost analysis if required.
• Lead complex sourcing events, setting up cross functional sourcing event teams, overseeing the creation of RfX documents, setting selection and awarding criteria, validating the longlist of suppliers, evaluating proposals, shortlisting suppliers for further negotiations, conducting negotiations, and awarding contracts
• Coordinate light strategic sourcing events (e.g., Light Tendering, Spot-Buys, Auctions) that are executed by the Centre of Excellence (CoE), analyzing scope and requirements, validating sourcing request forms, shortlisting suppliers, conducting negotiations, and recommending suppliers for award
• In collaboration with Legal, oversee the creation of contracts and enforce the use of contract templates for the legal engagement of suppliers
• Initiate and oversee supplier onboarding for new suppliers
• Own and be accountable for the overall performance of suppliers within your assigned category cluster and assigned categories, fostering collaboration and managing risks effectively
• Initiate and oversee the claims process with suppliers, when necessary, to address performance issues, quality defects, or contractual non-compliance
• When required, review details within Purchase Requisitions (PR) for non-catalog items and request clarification from requester(s)
• Develop, implement, and maintain the required policies for your categories, ensuring alignment with business objectives, ethical guidelines, and legal requirements
• Accountable for actively managing Item Master Data for your assigned categories (suppliers, items, catalogs, prices, etc.) with support from MDM Specialists
• Identify, assess, and implement activities within the designated category that can be transitioned to the Center of Excellence (CoE) to enhance operational support and efficiency.
• Responsible for ensuring mutual alignment and effective communication between global and regional category teams to maintain consistent strategies and maximize global leverage

What do we ask from you?​

To be successful in this role, you should have:

• A strong background (+ 5 Years) in procurement or supply chain management, with a proven track record in category management and strategic sourcing
• Knowledge and practical experience with strategic sourcing methodologies and tools, potentially validated through a certification (e.g., APICS, CPSM, SCMP)
• Experience in leading complex sourcing events and negotiations, with the ability to set clear objectives and evaluate supplier proposals effectively
• Knowledge of sourcing policies, ethical guidelines, and legal requirements to ensure compliance in all procurement activities
• Excellent collaboration skills to work closely with internal stakeholders, suppliers, and legal teams to ensure compliance and alignment with business objectives
• Leadership qualities to guide and develop the category team, managing Category Coordinators and collaborating with Supplier Relationship Managers
• Ability to travel internationally up to 15% of the time

About the team​

Our Supply Management team in Procurement is a dynamic and collaborative group of procurement professionals dedicated to optimizing both direct and indirect spend across the organization. Our team comprises of category experts and supplier relationship managers who develop and implement tailored procurement strategies that align with local market dynamics while supporting global objectives. We cultivate robust supplier partnerships, negotiate competitive contracts, and identify opportunities for cost savings, always enhancing efficiency and value. By working closely with demand management, procurement centers of excellence, and external suppliers, we ensure all procurement activities comply with regulations and support overall business goals. Through strong relationships and effective communication across regional and global teams, we drive sustainable procurement performance and support the organization in achieving its strategic objectives.

About Vanderlande

Vanderlande is the global market leader for future-proof logistic process automation at airports and in the parcel market. Furthermore, we are also a leading supplier of process automation solutions for warehouses, which seamlessly integrate innovative systems, intelligent software and life-cycle services.

At Vanderlande, you can develop your career, satisfy your ambitions, aspire to new heights, while enjoying personal growth and thriving on achievement.