Global Category Manager – Hydraulics

Procurement within Kongsberg Maritime is truly international. Working together in global teams, we develop strategies and deliver cost-competitive supply chain solutions across all of our business sectors. Along with eliminating waste and developing breakthrough technologies, we also manage and reduce costs throughout the product lifecycle and serve as internal category experts providing category analysis, cost characteristics, and innovation development knowledge to our product development and operational teams within the Kongsberg Maritime business.

An interesting and challenging opportunity has arisen for a Global Category Manager (GCM) in the Global Supply Chain direct category management team to report to the VP Direct Procurement. You will lead the Hydraulics Global Category with engagement and support of key stakeholders, to develop and execute global strategies that drive mid & long-term improvements in Quality, Cost and Delivery performance and provide competitive advantage to Kongsberg Maritime, its customers and suppliers. You will be responsible for all aspects of strategic sourcing and Supplier Relationship Management for major suppliers in Kongsberg Maritime. The GCM role is a highly exposed role, frequently reporting to and working with the Senior Leadership and is part of the senior procurement team.

Hydraulics is a cross-divisional category impacting both OE and Aftermarket businesses. Category comprises wide range of products with Power Packs, Valves, Pumps, Hydraulic Cylinders, Filters and Coolers accounting for 80% of spend. Hydraulics is considered to be mature technology with well-established industry standards. Most of products are considered mission critical in marine business and are subjected to classification society approvals. Several different approaches are in place ranging from full outsourcing to in house production, resulting in variety of approaches towards supply chain.

Key responsibilities and accountabilities:

• To work across Divisions and Sites to develop and implement sourcing strategy to meet business and product requirements.
• To support closely the products team and deliver an agile, cost effective and high performing supply chain.
• Responsible for effective senior management of supplier(s) within the designated external buy supply chain.
• Management of Strategic Buyers to deliver all the agreed category and business Key Performance Indicators.
• Responsible for ensuring and maintaining supplier contract coverage, including leading supplier negotiations to agree terms and conditions and cost and innovation initiatives.
• Accountable for suppliers cost performance and for ongoing challenges to the established supply chain footprint.
• Responsible for identifying and mitigating category sourcing risks to ensure minimum supply chain disruption.
• Responsible for ensuring the category specific supply chain, and those executing the procurement, are compliant to the Kongsberg Supplier Conduct Principles.

Key Experiences and Qualifications: 

• Solid commercial and business acumen.
• Ability to build and deploy business strategies and work across international boundaries.
• Strong, proven, negotiation skills and experience in cross-functional team working.
• Willingness to travel regionally and internationally.
• Excellent written and spoken English.
• Business Administration/Engineering/Commercial/Management Degree.
• Experience within supply chain environment.

What we can offer

• Working in an international environment/stable company with established position in Poland and global market.
• Participation in various development trainings.
• Unique atmosphere in a team sharing expertise.
• Attractive salary and benefits.
• Interesting experience and opportunity for personal development.
• Hybrid working scheme.

Work location*: Norway, Finland, Sweden and Poland
*Product, production and development centre and shared service centre.

Kongsberg Maritime is a technology pioneer, enabling a more sustainable future for our oceans. Our zero-emission integrated technologies advance the maritime industry and solve our customers' toughest problems. With unmatched competence, domain knowledge, innovation, and market reach, we are the trusted maritime partner. Headquartered in Kongsberg, Norway, the company has manufacturing, sales and service facilities in 35 countries.

KONGSBERG is a leading global technology group. Throughout our proud two hundred year history, we have continuously advanced, applying innovative solutions to the needs of our customers, partners and society at large. We believe diversity is our strength. By fostering an inclusive and diverse culture we nurture and ensure space for different perspectives and ideas. We work determined to mature and improve our ability to utilize our diversity and culture of differences to create positive business results.

Protechting people and planet