Strategic Sourcing Manager - Elastomers

About the role

VAT Group, a Swiss supplier of high-performance vacuum valves, is looking for a Strategic Sourcing Manager for elastomers. The role develops and executes global sourcing strategies for the assigned direct material categories and acts as a business partner to Business Units, Engineering and Operations. It sustains the Global Strategic Sourcing Operating Model and aims for more than 3% recurring cost reduction per year on global third-party spend.

Key responsibilities

• Manage own material categories (capacity, knowledge management, performance) and contribute to global Direct Material & Supply Base performance (Quality, Delivery, Cost)
• Represent the category within VAT and drive cost, supply base, geographic and Best Cost Country sourcing objectives
• Provide forward-looking guidance on trends, threats and opportunities in the category (e.g. raw materials)
• Interface with BU and Engineering on strategic sourcing and the PDP (IP07) process, and act as a change agent with main stakeholders
• Develop category sourcing strategies using defined methods and tools, and manage supplier relationships across the global supply base (Switzerland, Malaysia, Romania)
• Apply sourcing levers consistently, contribute to sourcing KPIs, and lead category-specific and cross-functional sourcing boards
• Monitor supply base risks, align the category team with company objectives, and improve direct material practices

Required profile

• 3-4 years of strategic and operational sourcing experience with solid knowledge of global category management
• Experience in sourcing markets, Eastern Europe, Asia and Best Cost Country / spend relocation activities
• Experience in a global complex organization and in machine building, vacuum technology and semiconductors
• Cross-functional category team management (minimum)
• Strong analytical skills, ability to get results through others, multi-tasking and stress handling
• German and English; another language is a plus

Required skills

• Office software and IT applications (Excel, Word, PowerPoint)
• Category sourcing and supply base management