About this role
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