Category Manager Indirect Procurement

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 Responsibilities Innovation-Led Category Strategy Design 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 Creation Lead innovative sourcing initiatives, including re-specification, bundling, and long-term agreements Build and maintain should-cost and clean-sheet models Translate technical and commercial changes into measurable savings (OPEX & CAPEX) Track, validate, and sustain savings through robust data management Data, 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 data Plant-Level Engagement & Change Enablement Partner with Maintenance and Engineering teams to challenge "business as usual" Support plants with data-driven recommendations during critical situations Drive adoption of new sourcing models through facts, credibility, and pragmatism Governance & Scalability Embed innovative category approaches into contracts, catalogs, and SAP workflows Ensure savings sustainability through compliance, KPIs, and reporting discipline Contribute to procurement digitalization and transformation initiatives Profile & Capabilities Experience Strong background in indirect procurement with deep exposure to MRO and plant CAPEX Proven ability to generate savings by changing sourcing logic and using data effectively Experience working in SAP-based procurement environments Key Skills Minimum 3 years experience as Category Manager in a Multinational Company Strong negotiation and influencing skills, with the ability to balance commercial rigor and operational needs Advanced Excel proficiency SAP proficiency– MM and procurement-related modules Strong analytical and financial modeling skills Ability to influence technical stakeholders using data and insight Structured, curious, and improvement-oriented mindset Fluent English (C1 level) required; proficiency in additional languages is considered a plus Strategic Contribution & Mindset Challenge legacy specifications, OEM dependencies, and historical sourcing decisions Introduce innovative sourcing models and technically validated alternatives Identify structural savings through standardization, lifecycle optimization, and demand management Use data and analytics to expose inefficiencies and opportunities Bring external benchmarks and best practices into the organization Additional info: Location: Milan, Via Borsi 9 Travel Flexibility: around 15 to 20% Starting time: Q1 2026