Fresenius Medical Care is a people business. Our success depends on having the best and brightest employees, and helping them attain their personal and professional goals while delivering excellence in patient care and business results. Our employees embody our culture which is based on six core values supporting our promise to improve the quality of life of every patient every day. These core values are: Patients and Partners First, Honesty and Integrity, Quality and Compliance, Collaboration, No-Limits Mindset and Results Oriented.

Purpose of the role:

The Category Manager is responsible for executing procurement strategies with 3rd party suppliers in support of Fresenius Medical Care’s One Procurement strategy. Responsible for category management, strategic sourcing, supplier negotiations, contracting, and ongoing supplier management for assigned category. Coordinates with Procurement Partner(s) and key stakeholders to ensure alignment of procurement strategies.

The successful candidate will lead the category management strategy regionally in alignment with four procurement pillars: Procurement Partnering, Global Category Management, Center of Expertise and Procurement Operations.

The ideal candidate for this role possesses the ability to build strong relationships with suppliers and internal stakeholders and ensure that category strategies cross-functionally are aligned. This role will own strategy, analytics, and communications for executive-level projects related to respective category.

Your responsibilities:

• Develop and implement multi-year category strategies, including demand aggregation, sourcing channels, and supplier risk management

• Identify and lead initiatives to optimize spend, reduce costs, improve services, and ensure supply continuity

• Lead or support cross-functional sourcing activities, including RFx processes and supplier selection

• Conduct price analysis, cost modeling (e.g., TCO, “Should Cost”), and benchmarking

• Define and execute negotiation strategies in collaboration with Legal, including drafting and negotiating key commercial and legal terms

• Evaluate supplier financial stability and manage supplier-related risks

• Manage strategic supplier relationships and participate in business reviews in coordination with the Vendor Management Office (VMO)

• Partner with Procurement Business Partners, Category Managers, and other stakeholders to align and execute procurement strategies

• Promote and utilize procurement tools such as eSourcing, Spend Visibility, and R2P systems

• Ensure compliance with Procurement policies, tools, and processes; act as a role model of ethical standards

• Integrate sustainability, risk management, and business continuity into category strategies, aligned with organizational KPIs

Our requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Technical, or Business field (Master’s degree preferred)

• 5+ years of experience in procurement, contract negotiation, and vendor management in production industries

• 2+ years of direct experience in electromechanical categories (mechanical, electronic, electrical)

• Experience with modern procurement and contract management tools

• Hands-on experience with Jaggaer or similar procurement systems

• Strong project management skills – from planning to execution

• Deep understanding of contract terms and supplier negotiations

• Proven strategic sourcing and category management expertise

• Experience in a multinational, multicultural environment

• Strong communication, stakeholder management, and influencing skills

• Ability to work effectively across time zones and cultures

• Proficient in data analysis and Microsoft Office tools

• Strong problem-solving and decision-making abilities

• Knowledge of Agile methodologies is a plus