Strategic Sourcing Manager - Electronics

About the role

VAT, a Swiss supplier of high-performance vacuum valves with headquarters in Haag, St. Gallen, is looking for a Strategic Sourcing Manager for its electronics direct materials categories. The role develops and executes global sourcing strategies, acts as a business partner to Business Units and Operations, and drives cost reductions of more than 3% per year on recurring 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).
• Develop category sourcing strategies and represent the category within the VAT organization, acting as interface to Business Units and Engineering along the PDP (IP07) process.
• Manage supplier relationships across the global supply base, in line with category teams in Switzerland, Malaysia and Romania, and ensure consistent use of all sourcing levers.
• Grow a qualified Best Cost Country supply base, preferably in Eastern Europe, while managing a sustainable spend allocation.
• Provide forward-looking guidance on trends, threats and opportunities, and lead category-specific and cross-functional sourcing boards.
• Monitor supply base risks, contribute to sourcing KPIs and continuously improve direct material sourcing practices.

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, and in cross-functional and category team management (at least functional leadership).
• Experience in a global and complex organization.
• German and English; additional languages are a plus.

Required skills

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