Description

Strategic Sourcing Manager

Purpose of the role

* Developing and executing global sourcing strategies for the assigned direct materials categories (electronics)
* 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.)
* Sustaining the Global Strategic Sourcing Operating Model and providing supply capability and capacity at best cost to support future business needs and protect brand value
* Applying aligned sourcing processes, sustainable supplier assessments, and development approaches to establish and actively manage a performing and regulatory-compliant supply base footprint
* Contributing to the enhancement of supply base performance on Quality, Delivery, and Cost (QCD)
* Realizing measurable value of >3% in recurring and P&L-effective cost reductions per year across the global third-party spend in the assigned categories through leveraged and benchmarked supply base management
* Growing and further developing a qualified and performing Best Cost Country (BCC) supply base in line with company and operations objectives, preferably in Eastern Europe, while managing a sustainable spend allocation


Responsibilities:

* Management of own material categories (capacity, knowledge management, performance)
* Accountable for contributing to global Direct Material & Supply Base Performance (QCD)
* Representing own direct material categories within the VAT organization
* Accountable for category-specific achievement of objectives related to cost optimization, supply base optimization, geographic sourcing footprint, and Best Cost Country Sourcing
* Providing forward-looking guidance on trends, threats, and opportunities within assigned categories (e.g., raw materials)
* Actively contributing to the bottom-up alignment of the Direct Materials Category Team with defined company objectives
* Acting as the interface to Business Units and Engineering for Strategic Sourcing activities along the PDP (IP07) process
* Acting as a change agent toward key stakeholders
* Developing category sourcing strategies using defined methods and tools
* Managing supplier relationships across the global supply base within assigned category scope, in alignment with category teams in Switzerland, Malaysia, and Romania
* Ensuring consistent application of all sourcing levers
* Contributing to key sourcing KPIs
* Assembling and actively leading category-specific and cross-functional sourcing boards
* Actively monitoring and conducting supply base risk assessments across assigned categories
* Participating in and contributing to the continuous improvement of direct material sourcing practices


Qualifications:  

* 3-4 years of in-depth strategic and operational sourcing experience with solid knowledge of global category management
* Demonstrated experience with category-specific production techniques and processes
* Knowledge of category sourcing markets
* Proficiency in Office software and IT applications, especially Excel, Word, and PowerPoint
* Experience sourcing in Eastern Europe and Asia, including Best Cost Country sourcing and spend relocation activities
* Experience working within a global and complex organization
* Experience in machine building, vacuum technology, and semiconductors
* Experience in cross-functional and category team management (at least functional leadership)
* Strong interpersonal, sensitive, and empathetic communication skills with suppliers, colleagues, and internal stakeholders
* Strong analytical and risk-based decision-making skills with a focus on key facts
* Ability to achieve results through others, manage multiple priorities, set priorities effectively, and handle pressure
* Good communication skills in German and English; additional languages are a plus