Category Manager Direct Spend

Founded in 1968, SKAN is a pioneer in cleanroom equipment and the development of isolators for the pharmaceutical industry. Innovative products, tailor-made solutions and an effective service organisation have made SKAN a market leader and a key partner to industry and research laboratories.

At SKAN, healthy growth is important to us. We are always looking for talented individuals to fill a wide range of roles. Apply now!

To strengthen our global Category Management team, we are looking for an experienced individual to fill the position of Category Manager Direct Spend. In this role, you will actively shape the future of our product group strategies, drive cost savings, and continuously develop our supplier relationships. Your contribution will ensure that our procurement processes are not only efficient but also support our strategic corporate goals in the long term. Your exciting tasks will include negotiating framework agreements, managing supplier partnerships, and ensuring optimal conditions with the highest quality standards. Together with your colleagues across locations, you will leverage synergies within the SKAN Group and create real added value.
Thanks to your in-depth experience in the areas of resilient supply chains, risk minimization, compliance, and ESG, you will make a decisive contribution to an optimal total cost of ownership—and thus make a tangible contribution to SKAN's success.

Responsibilities

• Support and strategic management of assigned product groups in the area of direct spend
• Responsibility for cross-location management of existing suppliers as well as onboarding and qualification of new suppliers
• Ensuring risk minimization and resilience of supply chains
• Drafting and negotiating framework agreements and concluding agreements (e.g., NDAs, SQAs, development contracts)
• Ensuring compliance with and documentation of compliance guidelines
• Analyzing options for in-house or external production of goods and services
• Serving as the central point of contact for defined product groups and projects
• Continuously optimizing procurement processes
• Conducting and documenting supplier audits and representing procurement issues in customer audits

• University degree or comparable training such as commercial or technical training (EFZ or equivalent) with further training in procurement, supply chain management, or business administration
• At least 5 years of experience in category management, ideally in the field of mechanical engineering and/or laboratory equipment
• Experience in change management
• Proficient in SAP and MS Office applications
• Good German and business fluent English skills
• Willingness to travel in Europe approx. 5-10% of the time

• Very good technical understanding
• Enjoys helping to shape the global strategic realignment of procurement
• Confident manner when working with various internal stakeholders
• Ability to feel comfortable in a dynamic, growing matrix organization
• Strong communication skills, negotiating skills, and ability to work in a team

• An open and collegial corporate culture
• Freedom for ideas
• Participation in sports and leisure activities
• Support through further training, especially at our SKAN Academy
• Intensive and job-oriented induction
• Short decision-making processes and flat hierarchies
• Open communication policy
• 5 weeks of vacation and the possibility of additional vacation days

To apply, please upload your complete application documents (resume, diplomas, and references) to our career page. We are not currently working with external service providers or recruitment agencies for this position. For questions please contact Lea Sibold.