BE GREAT TOGETHER WITH US.

Innovation, Efficiency and Ambition: this is what VAT has stood for over 50 years. 

With this passion, VAT has grown to become the leading international developer, manufacturer and supplier of high-performance high-end vacuum valves and vacuum sealing technology, employing over 2000 people worldwide.  The headquarters are located in Haag (Switzerland), the production centers in Switzerland, Malaysia, Romania and Taiwan. 

We are looking for a Category Project Manager to join our Direct MAterial Category Management Team to drive supplier ramp and sourcing.  

Reporting to the Head of Category Management, the role involves developing and implementing project management plans, assessing and executing ramp programs, and managing procurement activities and supplier partnerships to ensure supply capability and capacity at the best cost. The person will work closely with internal stakeholders and global/regional category managers to ensure regulatory compliance, enhance Capacity, and report project status in a timely manner.

Your responsibilites include, but not limited to -

• Responsible to develop project management plan, monitor and control project progress with the supplier/partner.
• To be responsible primarily for the assessment, evaluation and execution of the ramp program, which include but no limited to major capacity expansion and/or technology enabling with the selected supplier. Covering all categories not limited to major categories such as Machining and Treatment.
• Act as the key stakeholder in procurement activities such as make-buy, commercial agreement, supplier investment program and cost optimization opportunity with the supplier/partner.
• To enable seamless transition of projects from in-house & make-buy decision to external manufacturing realisation; and external dual-sourcing strategy.
• To drive primarily the machining and treatment supplier/partner to ensure the supply capability and capacity at best cost to support the company’s future business needs and protection of brand value. The coverage may extend to other categories.
• To work closely with Category Managers, Supplier Quality Engineers, Supplier Project Managers & internal stakeholders such as IE, Product Managers, to ensure communication and engagement with management.
• To work closely with Global & reginal Category Managers, and Supplier Project Management team to ever aligned to development approach, ensure regulatory compliant with the suppliers and actively manage and contribute to the enhancement of Capacity, Quality, Delivery and Cost (QCD).
• Create policies and procedures for risk management and mitigation with the supplier/partner.
• Responsible for project status reporting to the management and key-stakeholders in a timely manner.

Minimum Qualification : 

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience in Project Management / Procurement / Mechanical Engineering.
• 10+ years in manufacturing environment with a solid working knowledge of category management. Preferable in high precision machining industries.
• Experienced in product or tool transfer, assembly line and facility setup.
• Experienced in supplier development, able to develop strategic partnerships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Working experience within a global complex organization
• Capable of dealing in high stress environment, balancing operational and strategic priorities.
• Hands-on attitude, strong leadership, influence and communication as well as the ability to collaborate with a wide range of organizations and interact regularly with senior management.
• Strong analytical skills (risk based) and goal-driven thinking. Focus on the essential facts, with the ability to present results clearly and compellingly.
• Possess financial skills to assess the total cost of dealing with a supplier/partner.
• Good interpersonal and negotiating skills to build effective working relationships with supply partners, and functional leaders.
• Flexible, resourceful and proactive individual, able to produce results under tight deadlines.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills to all level in organization. Comfortable at presenting at supplier business reviews and with stakeholders.
• Good command in English (German & Chinese will be a plus)
   

Preferred Qualification :

• Experience in High Precision Machining industries
• Sourcing in Asia and Global
• Experience in managing supplier ramp

VAT is an equal opportunity employer. We see ourselves as a responsible and far-sighted employer that offers not only jobs, but also career and personal development opportunities through various training programs. We recognize the value of employee diversity and provide equal employment opportunity for all qualified application that contributes to innovation, improves customer orientation and employee satisfaction. One-step in this direction is to ensure that people are recognized and fairly compensated for their contributions to the company. In 2021, VAT received the Fair-ON-Pay+ certificate as an acknowledgement for our commitment in ensuring equal pay for equal work between men and women.