The Global Category Manager is responsible for executing procurement strategies with 3rd party suppliers in support of Fresenius Medical Care’s One Procurement strategy. Responsible for category management, strategic sourcing, supplier negotiations, contracting, and ongoing supplier management for assigned category and the Managership of all subcategory managers. Coordinates with Procurement Partner(s) and key stakeholders to ensure alignment of procurement strategies.

The Global Category Manager leads the category management strategy globally in alignment with four procurement pillars: Procurement Partnering, Global Category Management, Center of Expertise and Procurement Operations.  Responsible to build strong relationships with suppliers and internal stakeholders and ensures that category strategies cross-functionally are aligned. Owns strategy, analytics, and communications for executive-level projects related to respective category.
 

TASKS:

Drive, develop, and implement multi-year category plans for the Fleet category, including demand aggregation, definition of buying channels, strategic relationship management, and supplier risk management. Supports the development of overall FME Global Fleet strategy and their transformation programme cornerstones - including Fleet Policy, Operations supply and Safety/Sustainability.Maintains knowledge of current trends, supplier capabilities, innovation, and changes within the technology landscapeIdentify, develop and lead/support opportunities to optimize spend, reduce costs, mitigate supply risks, improve services, bring innovation and assure supply. Leads or supports cross functional supplier selection activities and management of formal strategic sourcing and RFx processes. Performs proposal analysis, including price analyses, “Should Cost” modelling, benchmarking and Total Cost of Ownership (TCO).Develops negotiation strategy, including targets for costs and key commercial/business terms.Working in conjunction with Legal, drafts and negotiates key legal and commercial terms.Evaluates financial stability of suppliers and manages supplier risks as needed.Actively manages key supplier relationships in collaboration with the VMO, including resolution of issues and disputes.Build relationships and work closely with cross-functional stakeholder groups, other Procurement Business Partner(s), other Category Managers, and cross-functional teams to share and implement procurement strategies.Develops and leads Supplier Performance Management framework for key suppliers and leads in supplier business reviews.Champions use of eSourcing, Spend Visibility, and R2P tools within category; leverages and utilizes eAuctions where appropriate.Acts as an ambassador of Procurement and a champion in the function for all Procurement policies, processes and tools to ensure compliance.Demonstrates the highest ethical standards and ensures Fresenius Medical Care procedures are adopted and followed.Drives the category management process to develop strategies that include diversity, sustainability, risk assessment, currency, and overall continuity, in alignment with business KPIs.
 REQUIREMENTS:

Bachelor’s Degree in either Technical or Business fieldMBA and/or CPSM/CPM desired but not required.5+ years of procurement, contract negotiation and management experience1-3 years of experience with the latest procurement and contract management solutions2+ years of direct industry or company experienceExperience in the sourcing of and rollout of Global Fleet Programs in multinational organizations is required.Project management expertise with the ability to carry projects from planning through implementation.Strong Managership and effective business partnering capabilities – influence without authorityRequires ability to deal with ambiguity and the corresponding capacity to 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 skillsRobust knowledge of the strategic sourcing and category management processInternational experience essential– working experience in different countries/regions/languagesFluency (spoken and written) in the English Language is required.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.