Purpose:

The Global Category Manager is responsible for developing and executing procurement strategies with 3rd party suppliers in support of Fresenius Medical Care’s One Procurement strategy. Responsible for category management, strategic sourcing, supplier negotiations, contracting, and ongoing supplier management for assigned category. Coordinates with Procurement Partner(s) and key stakeholders to ensure alignment of procurement strategies.

Roles and Responsibilities:

• Drive, develop, and implement multi-year category and subcategory plans for the assigned category, including demand aggregation, definition of buying channels, strategic relationship management, and supplier risk management.
• Maintains knowledge of current trends, supplier capabilities, innovation, and changes within the technology landscape
• Identify, develop and lead/support opportunities to optimize spend, reduce costs, mitigate supply risks, improve services, bring innovation and assure supply.
• Leads or supports cross functional supplier selection activities and management of formal strategic sourcing and RFx processes.
• Performs proposal analysis, including price analyses, “Should Cost” modelling, benchmarking and Total Cost of Ownership (TCO).
• Develops negotiation strategy, including targets for costs and key commercial/business terms.
• Working in conjunction with Legal, drafts and negotiates key legal and commercial terms
• Evaluates financial stability of suppliers and manages supplier risks as needed.
• Actively manages key supplier relationships in collaboration with the VMO, including resolution of issues and disputes.
• Build relationships and work closely with the Procurement Business Partner(s), other Category Managers, and cross-functional teams to share and implement procurement strategies.
• May include cross-regional people management responsibilities, including hiring, developing, and terminating employees.
• Leads and participates in supplier business reviews

• Champions use of eSourcing, Spend Visibility, and R2P tools within category; leverages and utilizes eAuctions where appropriate
• Acts as an ambassador of Procurement and a champion in the function for all Procurement policies, processes and tools to ensure compliance
• Demonstrates the highest ethical standards and ensures Fresenius procedures are adopted and followed
• Drives the category management process to develop strategies that include diversity, sustainability, risk assessment, currency, and overall continuity, in alignment with business KPIs
• Knowledge of GPO’s, medical distribution approaches and clinical consumable acquisition best practices
• Able to partner with clinical stakeholders (e.g. nursing/physicians) on best value solutions

EDUCATION:

• Bachelor's Degree required, Life Sciences preferred; Advanced Degree desirable.
• Advanced negotiations skills courses, a plus.

EXPERIENCE AND REQUIRED SKILLS:  

• Minimum 6 - 8 years' experience in Strategic Sourcing/Category Management with direct or in-direct sourcing responsibility required.
• 3+ years' supervisory or project/program management experience preferred.
• Extensive experience managing sourcing projects from start to finish.
• eSourcing experience required.
• Proven ability to execute and generate cost reduction improvement.
• Proficient with PCs and advanced knowledge of Microsoft Office applications.
• Moderate to complex level of financial analysis knowledge including business modeling and problem-solving skills.
• Experience in negotiating pricing, contract terms and conditions including statements of work (SOWs).
• Experience in providing project management and team leadership for sourcing initiatives stakeholders.
• Results driven, innovative & creative. Aligns and energizes behind common objectives, action-oriented & willing to face challenging situations.
• The ability to formulate and articulate a strategy and business case for the category and build the tactical path. 
• Critical thinking and decision making: The ability to solve complex problems and think through both tangible (holistic supply chain costs) and intangible (future value of supplier relationships) factors in making decisions for the company.
• Ability to interpret and ground decisions on solid analytics.
• Ability to negotiate the best possible terms with strategic suppliers that have a far reaching impact on our business.
• Ability to influence internal and external stakeholders, including executive management, to achieve the initiative objectives.
• Ability to develop relationships and build both a strong direct and indirect sphere of influence.
• Ability to take ownership, lead and influence to deliver the desired results.

Other specialized knowledge required:

Technical knowledge

• Purchasing
• Strategic Sourcing
• Category Management
• Bidding processes
• Negotiation
• Knowledge of business market trends
• Comprehensive knowledge of Procurement policies and procedures
• Experience in procuring goods and services with the ability to understand the total cost of ownership to generate cost savings

Languages

• English (written and spoken) - Fluent

Location: This position will be located in Basel, Switzerland