Category Manager / Category Manageress

Global Category Manager - Indirect Procurement

Location: Amsterdam, Netherlands

Salary: Circa €85,000 + comprehensive benefits package

Shape the Future of Global Indirect Procurement

We are seeking an experienced Global Category Manager - Indirect Procurement to join a dynamic international procurement function based in Amsterdam. Reporting to the Head of Global Indirect Procurement, you will play a key role in developing and implementing category strategies across multiple indirect spend areas, collaborating closely with senior stakeholders and suppliers across Europe and the broader global business.

This position is perfect for a commercially driven procurement professional who thrives on building supplier partnerships, delivering strategic sourcing initiatives, and driving continuous improvement within a fast-paced, international manufacturing environment.

The Role

As the Global Category Manager, you will take ownership of strategic indirect procurement categories, delivering value through supplier optimization, cost reduction, innovation, and risk management. By working across various business units and manufacturing sites, you will develop global sourcing strategies, enhance supplier relationships, and ensure procurement activities align with the organization’s broader commercial and sustainability objectives.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and implement global category strategies across indirect spend categories.
• Lead strategic sourcing initiatives from market analysis through to contract award and supplier implementation.
• Manage strategic supplier relationships, driving performance, innovation, and continuous improvement.
• Deliver measurable cost savings while maintaining quality, service, and supply continuity.
• Negotiate complex commercial agreements with international suppliers.
• Partner with stakeholders across Operations, Engineering, Manufacturing, Finance, HR, IT, and other business functions to understand requirements and deliver procurement solutions.
• Build and maintain supplier performance scorecards and KPI frameworks.
• Identify opportunities to standardize suppliers, specifications, and procurement processes across the organization.
• Support budget planning, forecasting, and long-term category roadmaps.
• Monitor market trends, supplier risks, and emerging technologies to ensure competitive advantage.
• Drive sustainability, compliance, and ethical sourcing initiatives throughout the supply base.
• Champion procurement best practices and support the continued development of procurement capability across the business.

About You

We're looking for someone who combines strong commercial expertise with the ability to influence stakeholders across an international organization. You will ideally possess:

• Significant experience in strategic procurement or category management within an international manufacturing or industrial environment.
• Proven success in managing indirect procurement categories and delivering measurable commercial value.
• Strong negotiation and contract management experience with global suppliers.
• Excellent stakeholder management skills, with the capability to influence at all levels of the business.
• Experience developing and implementing category strategies across multiple locations.
• Strong analytical and financial acumen with the ability to interpret spend data and market intelligence.
• A collaborative, proactive approach combined with excellent communication skills.
• Experience working within a matrix organization and managing competing priorities.
• Degree qualified or equivalent, with CIPS qualification (or working towards) considered advantageous.
• Fluent English is essential; additional European languages would be beneficial.

What's on Offer?

• Circa €85,000 salary
• Comprehensive benefits package
• Hybrid working environment based in Amsterdam
• Opportunity to influence global procurement strategy
• International career development opportunities
• Exposure to senior leadership and global stakeholders
• Collaborative, high-performing procurement team
• A business committed to innovation, sustainability, and continuous improvement

If you're looking to make a real impact within a global procurement organization, we invite you to apply online using the form below. Please note that only applications matching the job profile will be considered.