Vendor manager

Within the Villeroy & Boch Group, the Category Manager Indirect Procurement – MRO & Plant CAPEX is a value-driven, change-oriented role responsible for challenging established procurement and maintenance practices and introducing new sourcing models, technical alternatives, and innovative commercial approaches across MRO and plant-related CAPEX. The role goes beyond traditional negotiations and leverages data, analytics, and systems to identify savings opportunities, improve transparency, and support fact-based decision-making across the Group’s manufacturing footprint.Key ResponsibilitiesInnovation-Led Category StrategyDesign and deploy forward-looking category strategies for MRO and plant CAPEX.Execute RFI, RFP, and RFQ processes and lead negotiations to completion.Reassess OEM vs. alternative sourcing models using TCO and lifecycle data.Reduce complexity in spare-parts portfolios through cross-site harmonization.Drive initiatives to lower inventory, emergency spend, and unplanned CAPEX.Advanced Sourcing & Value CreationLead innovative sourcing initiatives, including re-specification, bundling, and long-term agreementsBuild and maintain should-cost and clean-sheet modelsTranslate technical and commercial changes into measurable savings (OPEX & CAPEX)Track, validate, and sustain savings through robust data managementData, Systems & Insight (Excel & SAP)~ Use advanced Excel to analyze spend, build financial models, and simulate sourcing scenarios~(e.g. pivot tables, advanced formulas, scenario modeling, dashboards)~ Extract, structure, and analyze data from SAP (MM, SRM/Coupa, or equivalent) to support category decisions~ Ensure data accuracy, transparency, and traceability for savings and compliance~ Support continuous improvement of reporting, catalogs, and master dataPlant-Level Engagement & Change EnablementPartner with Maintenance and Engineering teams to challenge “business as usual”Support plants with data-driven recommendations during critical situationsDrive adoption of new sourcing models through facts, credibility, and pragmatismGovernance & ScalabilityEmbed innovative category approaches into contracts, catalogs, and SAP workflowsEnsure savings sustainability through compliance, KPIs, and reporting disciplineContribute to procurement digitalization and transformation initiativesProfile & CapabilitiesExperienceStrong background in indirect procurement with deep exposure to MRO and plant CAPEXProven ability to generate savings by changing sourcing logic and using data effectivelyExperience working in SAP-based procurement environmentsKey SkillsMinimum 3 years experience as Category Manager in a Multinational CompanyStrong negotiation and influencing skills, with the ability to balance commercial rigor and operational needsAdvanced Excel proficiencySAP proficiency– MM and procurement-related modulesStrong analytical and financial modeling skillsAbility to influence technical stakeholders using data and insightStructured, curious, and improvement-oriented mindsetFluent English (C1 level) required; proficiency in additional languages is considered a plusStrategic Contribution & MindsetChallenge legacy specifications, OEM dependencies, and historical sourcing decisionsIntroduce innovative sourcing models and technically validated alternativesIdentify structural savings through standardization, lifecycle optimization, and demand managementUse data and analytics to expose inefficiencies and opportunitiesBring external benchmarks and best practices into the organizationAdditional info:Location: Milan, Via Borsi 9Travel Flexibility: around 15 to 20%Starting time: Q1 2026