Category Manager/Operational Purchasing Manager

Thule Group is a world leader in products and brands that make it easy for people to transport their equipment securely, safely and in style. Under the motto Active Life, Simplified, Thule offers products within four business areas: Carry Solutions (laptop and camera bags, backpacks etc), Vehicle Solutions (roof racks, bike racks, ski boxes, snow chains etc), Work Solutions (ladder racks, tool boxes etc) and Towing Solutions (tow bars and trailers). The Thule Group has about 3,500 employees at more than 50 production facilities and sales offices worldwide. In 2009 sales amounted to SEK 5.8 billion. Find out more at www.thulegroup.com

Thule Towing Systems B.V. is based in Staphorst and develops, manufactures and distributes towbars for the car industry and the car after market. The company is part of Business Area Towing Solutions.

As Category Manager/Operational Purchasing Manager you will be responsible for developing and driving the implementation of category strategies within Thule by managing and executing category management and strategic sourcing of assigned BA managed categories at the most optimal Total Cost of Ownership. 

Work tasks:

·         Lead the development and implementation of category strategies for assigned, less complex BA managed categories

·         Collaborate with category team in executing category management for Cross BA and BU coordinated categories

·         Manage internal stakeholder relationships for assigned, less complex BA managed categories

·         Provide input to the strategic sourcing process of site specific suppliers

·         Be overall responsible for the supply of material to our site in Reims, France

·         Participate in supplier onboarding of site specific suppliers

·         Execute product phase out from a supplier or component perspective

·         Ensure overall compliance to internal and external policies and procedures and regulations

·         Manage the supply of categories not included in the predefined category management structure

Job requirements:

·         Participates in and directs multi-disciplinary and international projects

·         Minimum 4-8 years purchasing experience in strategic sourcing, contracts and negotiation in an international production

·         Strong quantitative and analytical skills

·         Has excellent negotiation and communication skills

·         In depth knowledge and technical understanding of supply chain management, logistics, product and process development

·         Team player with strong interpersonal skills to build relationships

·         Capable to initiate and efficient organization of automation of procurement processes

·         Willingness and ability to travel

·         Excellent command of English, both orally and in writing; French and German is an advantage  

We believe you bring a solid and technical professional expertise in the area of purchasing and supply demand from similar positions. You have an bachelor/academic degree with 4-8 years professional experience. You will work in a global purchasing team where it is important you can be a valuable team player that share common objectives along with the objectives of the BA. Since we are an international company with a lot of integrations between the different countries, a high level of English is required. Furthermore, you should be well organized, a good leader, be self driven and motivated and prepared to visit our site in France regularly.

We would like to receive your resume in English.

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