Category Manager

Roles and Responsibilities

- Develop, implement, and maintain regional category strategies aligned with business objectives and global procurement direction.
- Analyze category spend, supplier markets, cost structures, demand patterns, and opportunities for consolidation.
- Identify opportunities for cost optimization, standardization, specification harmonization, and economies of scale.
- Establish and maintain category-specific supplier strategies, including supplier segmentation, preferred supplier networks, and alternative sourcing options.
- Monitor market developments, emerging technologies, supply market risks, and industry trends relevant to marine operations.

B. Strategic Sourcing & Commercial Negotiations

- Lead complex sourcing activities, including RFQ, tender evaluations, and supplier selection.
- Develop negotiation strategies considering total cost of ownership, technical requirements, commercial risks, and long-term business value.
- Negotiate commercial agreements covering pricing, payment terms, warranties, liability, delivery conditions, service levels, and contractual protections.
- Challenge supplier proposals, cost structures, and commercial assumptions to secure competitive and sustainable outcomes.
- Develop regional framework agreements and long-term supplier partnerships where commercially justified.
- Ensure sourcing decisions follow procurement governance, delegation of authority, and applicable compliance requirements.

C. Supplier Relationship & Performance Management

- Establish and manage strategic supplier relationships across assigned categories.
- Implement supplier performance management frameworks with measurable KPIs and regular business reviews.
- Monitor supplier performance in areas such as delivery reliability, service quality, responsiveness, cost competitiveness, and contractual compliance.
- Lead commercial escalations and negotiations related to supplier underperformance, disputes, claims, and contractual deviations.
- Drive continuous improvement initiatives with strategic suppliers.
- Identify opportunities for supplier innovation, joint efficiency initiatives, and long-term value creation.
- Develop contingency strategies for critical suppliers and services.

D. Operational & Technical Business Partnership

- Partner closely with Technical and Operations teams to understand vessel maintenance requirements, fleet operating plans, dry docking schedules, and investment priorities.
- Translate operational requirements into effective procurement and sourcing plans.
- Challenge requirements constructively to identify cost-effective alternatives without compromising safety, quality, or operational reliability.
- Facilitate demand planning and improve visibility of upcoming procurement requirements.
- Ensure appropriate commercial arrangements are established to support timely delivery of critical goods and services.
- Support operational teams in resolving complex supplier-related commercial issues.

E. Financial Performance & Value Creation

- Develop and deliver measurable procurement value through negotiated savings, cost avoidance, demand optimization, and improved commercial conditions.
- Establish and maintain reliable financial baselines for procurement initiatives.
- Contribute to budget planning and forecasting by providing category market intelligence and cost projections.
- Ensure transparency and accuracy in procurement performance reporting.

F. Risk Management, Compliance & Contract Governance

- Identify and mitigate supplier, contractual, commercial, geopolitical, and supply continuity risks.
- Ensure procurement agreements contain appropriate provisions covering liability, warranties, insurance, performance obligations, and dispute resolution.
- Collaborate with Legal, Finance, Marine Standards, and other relevant functions to ensure compliance with internal policies and applicable regulations.
- Monitor contractual commitments, expiration dates, renewal requirements, and supplier obligations.
- Support the resolution of contractual disputes and recovery of costs resulting from supplier nonperformance.
- Promote responsible sourcing, ethical business conduct, and sustainable procurement practices.
- Ensure critical suppliers meet applicable safety, quality, and operational requirements.

G. Procurement Excellence & Process Improvement

- Drive continuous improvement of procurement processes, tools, and ways of working.
- Collaborate with Procurement Operations to improve compliance with sourcing strategies, contracts, and purchasing channels.
- Identify opportunities to automate or simplify procurement activities.
- Support the implementation and improvement of Sertica/Basware, procurement, contract management, and reporting systems.
- Promote data-driven decision-making and transparency of procurement performance.
- Support the development of category management capabilities and procurement best practices across the region.
- Ensure effective knowledge transfer and collaboration between strategic procurement and transactional purchasing teams.

Building a Diverse Workplace

In Svitzer we value the diversity of our talent and will always strive to recruit the best person for the job – we value diversity in all its forms, including but not limited to gender, age, nationality, race, sexual orientation, disability, or religious beliefs. We are proud of our diversity and see it as a genuine source of strength for building high performing teams.

Don’t meet every single requirement? Studies have shown that members from some under-represented groups are less likely to apply for jobs if they don’t meet every single qualification. At Svitzer we are dedicated to building a diverse and inclusive workplace, so if you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles, and we are excited about hearing from you!

How to Apply

To apply for this role, please click on the 'Apply Now' button and create a Candidate Home to manage your applications.