Category Manager for Global Technology Company

We are looking for someone who wants to take a leading role in shaping how category purchasing will work in the future. The assignment is not about inheriting old ways of working, but about building new ones, based on analysis, shared processes and clear strategic choices. A central part of the role is being able to drive decisions through, bring the organisation together around shared supplier choices and confidently explain why that approach makes the most business sense.

About the role
The company is an international organisation that develops and delivers technically complex systems to customers around the world. It operates in an industry where projects are unique and demand high levels of strength and precision in challenging environments. This means that almost all equipment has to be customised to meet the customer’s specific needs.
You will be part of a global category team of ten people based in Sweden, Finland, Norway, Poland and China. The team works closely together despite being spread across different locations, and is characterised by its expertise, collaboration and shared drive to build something sustainable for the long term. The team’s remit is to develop and lead category strategies that are applied consistently across the organisation. You will work closely with functions such as technology, R&D, engineering, supply chain, contract managers and many other business areas.
This is not a role where you take over ready-made solutions. On the contrary, you will build category strategies from scratch, supported by established templates, processes and an experienced team. The focus is on various categories, such as bearing solutions and gearboxes. The work involves analysing the current situation, structuring the supplier base, identifying potential improvements and clearly showing why a particular strategy is the right way forward. An important part of the role is being able to stand your ground in discussions with contract managers and other decision-makers, and explain strategic choices in an accessible way, based on data, analysis and business benefits. A large number of new categories are to be launched over the coming years, making the role both dynamic and important in the long term.

You will be offered
A strategic role with a wide remit and clear influence
The opportunity to build category strategies from scratch
Clear objectives, measurable delivery and a focus on results
An organisation where “things happen” and initiative is valued

Responsibilities
Develop and implement global category strategies for bearing solutions and gearboxes
Analyse spend, supplier structures and market data to identify opportunities to improve efficiency
Lead and coordinate sourcing work across several business areas and functions
Build, develop and consolidate the global supplier base
Monitor KPIs and savings initiatives, and ensure clear delivery of results

We are looking for someone who
Has experience in procurement, sourcing and/or Supply Management, preferably in component categories such as electrical, mechanical and hydraulic components
Has experience in purchasing or category management in the automotive industry (R&D/manufacturing) or another complex manufacturing industry
Has strong presentation and writing skills, and the ability to communicate clearly
Has a strong ability to negotiate, build relationships and close agreements
Is fluent in English and has a good command of Swedish. Both languages are used in day-to-day work

It is an advantage if you have
Knowledge of SAP, purchasing, logistics and international transport
Knowledge of Mandarin

To succeed in the role, you have the following personal qualities:
Helpful
Socially confident
Goal-oriented
Responsible

Our recruitment process
This recruitment process is managed by Academic Work, and our client requests that all questions about the position are sent to Academic Work.
We review applications on an ongoing basis and will take down the advert once enough candidates have reached the final stage of the recruitment process. Applicants are asked to submit a CV. We do not use cover letters as a selection method, so there is no need to attach one. The recruitment process includes two selection tests: a personality test and a cognitive ability test. The tests are tools to help identify the candidate with the greatest potential for the position and to promote equality, diversity and a fair recruitment process.