Senior Category Purchasing Executive

BE GREAT TOGETHER WITH US.

Innovation, Effizienz und Zielstrebigkeit: Dafür steht VAT seit über 50 Jahren.

Mit dieser Leidenschaft ist VAT zum international führenden Entwickler, Hersteller und Lieferant von Hochleistungs-High-End Vakuumventilen und Vakuumdichttechnologie herangewachsen und beschäftigt weltweit über 2000 Mitarbeitende. Der Hauptsitz befindet sich in Haag (Schweiz), die Produktionszentren in der Schweiz, Malaysia, Rumänien und Taiwan.

We are looking for a Senior Category Purchasing Executive / Manager to join our Indirect Material Category Management team to develop and implement global sourcing strategies of VAT’s Indirect supply base capabilities and readiness in support of the strong growth and expansion of the company.

Reporting to the Head of Category Management, you will work closely with cross-functional stakeholders across the company to achieve key business goals on quality, delivery and cost. You must have the ability to develop and communicate category strategies across the organization to ensure sourcing decisions and strategic supplier selections aligns with VAT’s technology roadmap and product development. Total commodity ownership, including supplier performance and relationship management.

Your Responsibilities Include, But Not Limited To:

• Executing global sourcing strategies for Indirect material category (Production, machine, consumable, tool clip etc).
• Acting as a business partner to key stakeholders in business team (Industry Engineering, Legal department etc.) and Operations team (Warehouse, Production, Quality methodology etc).
• Implement and execute Global Category Management Operating Model as well as Site Category Management. 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 categories and functional category team (Strategy, knowledge management, performance).
• Application of aligned sourcing processes, sustainable supplier assessments and development approach, a performing and regulatory compliant supply base footprint shall be established and actively managed, contributing to the enhancement of the supply base performance on Quality, Delivery and Cost (QCD).
• Realization of a measurable value >5% in recurring and P&L effective cost reductions per year across the global 3rd party spend in the assigned spend categories accompanied by a leveraged and benchmarked supply base management.
• Grow and further develop a qualified and performing Best Cost Country Supply Base in line with the companies and operations BCC objectives Asia and manage a sustainable spend allocation.
• 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 category & actively monitors and performs a supply base risk assessment.
• Embracing change, possessing a continuous improvement mind set, has a passion for exceeding company and customer expectations.
• Experienced in Strategic Sourcing processes which includes internal & external analysis, sourcing strategies and execution, contract execution, contract and supplier management.
• Able to understand Business contracts and having an ability to review and contract writing.
• Design category strategies and negotiation strategies to achieve savings targets.
• Serve as the center of knowledge and share knowledge with key stakeholders and members of the category teams to enable more effective planning, forecasting and execution.

Minimum Qualification:

• Min Degree in Supply Chain, Procurement, Business or Engineering or related discipline.
• Min 8 years in-depth strategic and operational sourcing experience with a solid working knowledge of global category management.
• Strong analytical skills (risk based) and focus on the essential facts, with the ability to present results clearly and compellingly.
• Working experience within a global complex organization.
• Sensible and emphatic communication skills with suppliers, colleagues, internal stakeholders, etc.
• Self-motivator who works effectively in team or independent work environments.
• Able to get results through others, able to multi-task, sense of priority, able to handle stress levels.
• Good communication skills in English (German & Chinese will be a plus).
• Advanced computer skills that include Microsoft Office Suite products.
• Practical experience in Microsoft Dynamic365.
• Strong data analysis skills and project management skills.
• High standard for ethics and professionalism.

Preferred Qualification:

• Preferable experience in Indirect Category management & supplier management, particularly on Machine, Tool clip, jig & fixture, consumable, CAPEX management etc.
• Sourcing in Asia and experience in Best Cost Country and spend relocation activities.

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 applications that contribute 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 acknowledgment for our commitment in ensuring equal pay for equal work between men and women.