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. 

YOUR CHALLENGES

Acting as a business partner to key stakeholders in business (Business Units, Engineering, etc.) and Operations (Product Line Supply Chain, Supplier Quality, Production, Materials Management, etc.). The global category manager shall sustain the Global Category Management Operating Model and provide the supply capability and capacity at best cost to support the company’s future business needs and protection of brand value.

• Management of own material categories and functional category team (capacity, knowledge management, performance)         
• Accountable for contributing to the global Direct Material & Supply Base Performance (QCD)                                        
• Representing own direct material categories within the VAT organization                                                         
• Accountable for the category specific achievement of the objectives of cost optimization, supply base optimization, geographic sourcing footprint and Best Cost Country Sourcing                                                            
• Providing forward-looking guidance on trends, threats and opportunities in own categories (eg. raw materials etc.)                    
• Active contribution to the bottom up alignment of the Direct Materials Category Team with the defined / set company objectives             
• Interface to BU / Engineering for Strategic Sourcing activities along with the PDP (IP07) process                                                     
• Act as a change agent in regards to main stakeholders.
• Perform the development of category sourcing strategies applying and complying with defined methods and tools.
• Active supplier relationship management of the global supply base within its own category perimeter in alignment with the category teams in Switzerland, Malaysia and Romania
• Ensure consistent application of all Sourcing Levers

YOUR COMPETENCIES

• A further education in Procurement or equivalent; ideally a Master’s degree or similar.
• Preferably 4-8 years of in-depth strategic, tactical and operational sourcing experience with a solid working knowledge of global category management direct materials
• Demonstrated work experience on category specific production techniques and processes
• Working experience within a global complex organization; an understanding of cross-functional & cross cultural change management is essential
• Strong contract negotiation skills, ideally with practice in global industrial manufacturing companies
• Experience with sourcing systems and e-tool solutions
• Solid people and change management skills, stakeholder engagement, cross-functional project leadership skills, strong analytical skills and ability to focus on the essential facts, able to get results through others, able to multi-task,  ability to work under pressure
• Fluent in English and good level of German desirable

Interested? Then we look forward to your application today!

You can expect a dynamic and expanding business where innovation, courage, openness and transparency are encourage, and your ideas welcome. We offer flexible options for hybrid working and are a company where your development according to your strengths and aspirations is truly valued.