Regional Category Manager EU, ElectroMechanical Category

Main Activities

• Drive, develop, and implement multi-year category plans for the assigned category, including demand aggregation, definition of buying channels, strategic relationship management, and supplier risk management.
• Maintain knowledge of current trends, supplier capabilities, innovation, and changes within the technology landscape.
• Identify, develop and lead/support opportunities to optimize spend, reduce costs, mitigate supply risks, improve services, bring innovation and assure supply.
• Lead or support cross-functional supplier selection activities and management of formal strategic sourcing and RFx processes.
• Perform proposal analysis, including price analyses, “Should Cost” modelling, benchmarking and Total Cost of Ownership (TCO).
• Develop negotiation strategy, including targets for costs and key commercial/business terms.
• Working in conjunction with Legal, draft and negotiate key legal and commercial terms.
• Evaluate financial stability of suppliers and manage supplier risks as needed.
• Actively manage key supplier relationships in collaboration with the VMO, including resolution of issues and disputes.
• Build relationships and work closely with the Procurement Business Partner(s), other Category Managers, and cross-functional teams to share and implement procurement strategies.
• Lead or participate in supplier business reviews.

Additional Responsibilities

• Champion the use of eSourcing, Spend Visibility, and R2P tools within the category; leverage and utilize eAuctions where appropriate.
• Act as an ambassador of Procurement and a champion in the function for all Procurement policies, processes and tools to ensure compliance.
• Demonstrate the highest ethical standards and ensure Fresenius procedures are adopted and followed.
• Drive the category management process to develop strategies that include diversity, sustainability, risk assessment, currency, and overall continuity, in alignment with business KPIs.

Required Qualification, Experience and Critical Skills

1) Education and qualifications required or expected:

• Bachelor’s Degree in either Technical or Business field.
• MBA and/or CPSM/CPM desired but not required.
• Strong management and effective business partnering capabilities – influence without authority.
• Ability to deal with ambiguity and make decisions or recommendations based on potentially incomplete information.
• Experience with hands-on analysis and data interpretation; proficiency in Microsoft Office Suites required.
• Strong negotiation, communication, and presentation skills.
• Robust knowledge of the strategic sourcing and category management process.
• International experience a plus – working experience in different countries/regions/languages.

2) Professional Experience:

• Bachelor’s Degree; Advanced/Master’s Degree desirable.
• Position is Remote and may sit anywhere; Fluency (spoken and written) in the English Language is Required.
• 5+ years of procurement, contract negotiation and management experience.
• 1-3 years of experience with the latest procurement and contract management solutions.
• 2+ years of direct electromechanical category experience (PCBA, Cable Harnesses, Machined parts, Metal cabinets).
• Project management expertise with the ability to carry projects from planning through implementation.
• In-depth knowledge and understanding of contract terms and conditions, including DPA, GDPR, ESG and others.
• Able to tailor communication and context across diverse geographic backgrounds and cultural settings.
• Able to negotiate the best possible terms with strategic suppliers that have a far-reaching impact on our business.
• Experience working in a multi-national, multi-cultural environment.

Key Knowledge/Skills

• Project management expertise with the ability to carry projects from planning through implementation.
• Management of subcategories.
• Ability to collaborate and communicate with senior executives and stakeholders both internally and externally.
• Critical thinking and decision-making skills with ability to understand opportunities, create value and solve complex problems.
• In-depth knowledge and understanding of contract terms and conditions.
• Strong negotiation and relationship management skills.

Soft Skills/Learning Agility

• Excellent communication and presentation skills including expectation management; assertive.
• Able to tailor communication and context across diverse geographic backgrounds and cultural settings.
• Able to work in and/or manage virtual, geographically dispersed, cross-cultural teams.
• Able to prioritize multiple initiatives/projects in a fast-paced environment.
• Able to negotiate the best possible terms with strategic suppliers that have a far-reaching impact on our business.
• Able to develop relationships and build both a strong direct and indirect sphere of influence.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and organizational skills; familiarity and knowledge of Agile ways of working.