Strategic Sourcing Manager - Raw Material & Surface Treatment

About the role

VAT, a global supplier of high-performance vacuum valves headquartered in Haag, Switzerland, is looking for a Strategic Sourcing Manager for Raw Material and Surface Treatment. 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 a measurable value of more than 3% in recurring, P&L effective cost reductions per year across the global third-party spend.

Key responsibilities

• Manage own material categories (capacity, knowledge management, performance) and contribute to the global Direct Material & Supply Base performance (Quality, Delivery, Cost).
• Represent the category within VAT and deliver cost optimization, supply base optimization, geographic sourcing footprint and Best Cost Country sourcing objectives.
• Provide forward-looking guidance on trends, threats and opportunities in the category and guide the bottom-up alignment of the Direct Materials Category Team with company objectives.
• Interface with BU and Engineering on strategic sourcing, including 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 main sourcing KPIs, lead the category sourcing board, monitor supply base risks and improve direct material practices.

Required profile

• 5+ years of strategic and operational sourcing experience with solid knowledge of global category management.
• Demonstrated experience in category-specific production techniques and processes, and knowledge of sourcing markets.
• Sourcing experience in Eastern Europe and Asia, and in Best Cost Country and spend relocation activities.
• Experience in a global complex organization and in machine building, vacuum technology and semiconductors.
• Cross-functional category team management (minimum functional).
• 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 such as Excel, Word and PowerPoint.
• Category management and supplier relationship management.