Strategic Category Manager - Europe Leader

Strategic Category Manager - Europe Leader

ADB Safegate

Zaventem, Belgium

Position Overview

As a Strategic Category Manager, you will develop and implement innovative, competitive procurement strategies aligned with ADB Safegate’ business objectives.

You will manage strategic supplier relationships, negotiate complex agreements, identify cost-saving and value-creation opportunities, and mitigate supply-chain risks.

Working closely with global cross-functional teams, you will help drive operational excellence, innovation, and sustainable long-term value across the supply chain.

You will lead a team based on Belgium.

Reporting to Strategic Supply Chain leader in Belgium.

Responsibilities – What You Can Expect

• Development and implementation of global category strategies: Develop and implement long-term, innovative, and competitive procurement strategies aligned with corporate objectives and internal stakeholders.
• Supplier management and development: Build and maintain long-term, collaborative relationships with key suppliers at the global or regional level.
• Conduct supplier negotiations and conclude framework agreements to ensure optimal terms regarding price, quality, delivery times, and payment conditions.
• Risk management and compliance: Identify and assess supply-chain risks and develop and implement measures to mitigate and manage those risks.
• Collaboration with internal stakeholders: Work closely with various departments, such as Research and Development, Operations, Business Line and Quality, to coordinate procurement strategies and meet internal requirements.
• Cost management and value creation: Continuously identify and realize cost-saving opportunities based on Total Cost of Ownership, and develop and implement initiatives to increase value throughout the supply chain.
• Innovation and technology: Identify opportunities to integrate new technologies into procurement strategies.
• Reporting and analysis: Prepare regular performance reports and analyses and present results and strategic initiatives to management.
• Leader a team of buyer in the region.

Qualifications – What We Are Looking For

• A university degree in business, engineering, or a comparable field.
• Several years of professional experience in strategic procurement, ideally in global category management at an internationally operating company.
• A proven track record in developing and implementing procurement strategies and achieving cost savings.
• Experience in supplier management and negotiating contracts.
• Excellent analytical skills and the ability to understand and structure complex issues.
• Strong communication and presentation skills, as well as excellent negotiation abilities.
• An independent, structured, and results-oriented approach to work.
• A high level of initiative and personal responsibility.
• Business-fluent written and spoken English; additional foreign-language skills are an advantage.
• Strategic thinking and an entrepreneurial mindset.