Category Manager

Location: Hengelo, Netherlands

About Your Future Job

As Category Manager you are part of the Thales Netherlands Procurement team as well as the Global Category team. In this role you are pro-actively driving categories within the ‘Mechanical’ procurement segment C.

With your experience you help and drive to build/optimize local Category strategies in line with the business needs and coherent with the global strategy defined by the GCM (Global Category Manager) for the world-wide Category.

You lead cross functional teams through the full procurement process from requisition until end of contract under the coordination of the PPM (Procurement Project Manager). In the bid phase you determine the approach, prepare the strategy, negotiate and bridge gaps to satisfy the needs of your stakeholders and ensure competitiveness. In the contract execution phase, you manage the contract, deviations and risks ensuring stakeholder satisfaction, quality and timely delivery.

Collaboration with internal and external stakeholders is key. You build close relations with your suppliers in order to make supplier knowledge and competitiveness available to the benefit of Thales products and services. Through collaboration you are able to manage risks and opportunities and anticipate to changing circumstances.

Your responsibilities include:

• Shape, communicate and steer implementation of the Category strategy
• Drive selection, negotiation and contracting of suppliers
• Manage and control supplier performances
• Identify and achieve cost reductions and improvements in cooperation with the suppliers and stakeholders
  
  
  

Why you'd be a good match

We are in search for a colleague who is/has:

• strong negotiation skills
• able to build good relationships with external and internal stakeholders
• able to oversee and value interests in a broad perspective
• good communication skills
• creative, curious and solution oriented
• a decisive and stress resistant finisher
• fluent in Dutch and English, German and/or French are a plus
• relevant strategic Procurement or commercial experience
• completed relevant higher education
• affinity with high tech business
• experience in buying mechanical scope
• experience with relational contracting is a strong plus
  
  
  

What's In It For You

• A challenging job in a great team within our high-tech, innovative work environment. Includes the freedom for initiative and good ideas.
• Room for personal and professional growth within our organization, for example in regards to technical, commercial or international skills.
• Valuable international collaboration with coworkers from 68 different countries around the globe.
• A comfortable work space in a modern environment, with a focus on flexibility and the right work life balance.
• You can usually work where and when you want to be able to do your work as well and efficiently as possible. Within Thales we implement hybrid working, where you can, for example, work from home two days a week if your role allows it.
• A good salary, fitting travel allowance, and the ability to personalize your employment conditions: for instance, you can trade days off for internet costs, our bicycle plan, company fitness and relocation costs.
• 40 days off per year (PTO). Yes, really.
  
  
  

LR 09 VKG 70

Interested?

Reach out for more information to our Talent Acquisition Partner Gerlof Jan Heck, via [email protected].

Or Apply directly by uploading your profile and show your interest.

An assessment could possibly be part of the procedure.