Procurement Category Lead

Our client is a leading technology company specializing in aerospace, defense, security, and digital solutions. They are committed to designing innovative, high-tech systems that shape a safer and smarter future. Their global team values collaboration, cutting-edge research, and sustainable growth.

As a Procurement Category Lead you will oversee and drive the performance of multiple sourcing categories. This strategic role involves managing supplier relationships, negotiating contracts, and implementing category strategies to ensure cost efficiency, quality, and innovation. The successful candidate will lead critical supplier selections, collaborate with cross-functional teams, and mentor procurement professionals.

• Develop and refine category strategies aligned with overall business and procurement goals.
• Lead major supplier selection processes (RFI/RFP/RFQ), ensuring thorough evaluation and stakeholder consensus.
• Negotiate and manage supplier contracts to optimize total cost of ownership while safeguarding company interests.
• Monitor and improve supplier performance across quality, delivery, cost, and compliance metrics.
• Manage risks and identify opportunities within the supply base, considering contractual, operational, financial, cyber, and ESG factors.
• Keep abreast of market trends and emerging technologies, translating insights into actionable plans.
• Optimize supplier base through strategic decisions such as make/buy options, dual sourcing, and local sourcing.
• Collaborate with engineering, operations, legal, finance, and project teams to ensure timely, compliant, and cost-effective procurement.
• Utilize digital tools and data analytics for reporting, decision-making, and process improvements.
• Lead, coach, and develop procurement team members to strengthen their strategic sourcing, negotiation, and supplier management skills.

• Minimum of 5 years’ recent experience in procurement or category management within a high-tech or technical environment.
• Proven track record of end-to-end ownership of sourcing, contracting, and supplier performance.
• Strong negotiation skills and knowledge of commercial and contractual terms.
• Ability to develop and execute impactful category strategies.
• Experience managing complex supplier selections and working across diverse stakeholder groups.
• Expertise in supplier relationship management and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Market insight and curiosity about new technologies relevant to procurement categories.
• Leadership skills, with experience coaching and mentoring team members.
• Analytical mindset, proficient with procurement and digital tools, comfortable working with data.
• University degree in business, engineering, or a related field.
• Fluency in Dutch and English.

Apply to our vacancy for more information. Looking forward to getting in touch!