Strategic Sourcing Manager - Electronics

About the role

VAT Group, a Swiss supplier of high-performance vacuum valves with manufacturing sites in Switzerland, Malaysia and Romania, is looking for a Strategic Sourcing Manager for its electronics direct materials. The role develops and executes global sourcing strategies, acts as a business partner to Business Units and Operations, and manages a Best Cost Country supply base, preferably in Eastern Europe.

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 optimization, supply base optimization, geographic sourcing footprint and Best Cost Country sourcing.
• Provide forward-looking guidance on trends, threats and opportunities in assigned categories such as raw materials.
• Act as the interface to Business Units and Engineering for strategic sourcing along the PDP (IP07) process and as a change agent.
• Develop category sourcing strategies and manage supplier relationships across the global supply base, in line with category teams in Switzerland, Malaysia and Romania.
• Lead category-specific and cross-functional sourcing boards, monitor supply base risks and contribute to sourcing KPIs.
• Grow a qualified Best Cost Country supply base in Eastern Europe while managing a sustainable spend allocation, and deliver recurring cost reductions of more than 3% per year on global third-party spend.

Required profile

• 3-4 years of in-depth strategic and operational sourcing experience with solid knowledge of global category management.
• Demonstrated experience with category-specific production techniques and processes, and knowledge of category sourcing markets.
• Experience sourcing in Eastern Europe and Asia, including Best Cost Country sourcing and spend relocation.
• Experience in machine building, vacuum technology and semiconductors.
• Experience in cross-functional and category team management (at least functional leadership) within a global organization.
• German and English; additional languages are a plus.

Required skills

• Proficiency in Office software, especially Excel, Word and PowerPoint.
• Analytical, risk-based decision-making and strong communication with suppliers and internal stakeholders.