The Category Manager is responsible both for setting and developing the strategy for a specific group or category and managing the associated suppliers. This includes overseeing the entire external supply chain from the supplier to production and actively search for optimization potential in order to reduce procurement costs, as well as ensuring that procurement processes align with the project's needs and goals.Task & ResponsabilitiesLead/coordinate negotiation of all major project purchases in commodities defined, utilizing available department resources as assigned by supervisor and working within business-unit.Leads and directs the operational buyer and carries the responsibility for the level of inventory in in the commodity group/category.Elaboration and enforcement of supplier contracts (NDA, quality agreements, business agreements, etc.) in the international environment with service and development partners.Management of the supplier portfolio in the commodity group/category incl. supplier market analysis, benchmarks and price negotiations.Project related execution of RFQs, purchase price analysis and negotiations including 'Supplier first evaluation'.Responsible for achieving targets such as purchasing savings and inventory targets of the commodity group/category.Perform supplier audit together with RA/QA.Create monthly key performance indicators (KPI), evaluate and derive measures.Perform annual risk analysis of key suppliers.Actively support the plants (Manufacturing) in finding solutions to supplier issues to enable these departments to achieve their delivery targets.Support by solving complex complaints with suppliers and delivery problems.Actively support R&D; to successfully launch new products based on existing or new suppliers.Maintain key supplier and material master data.Strive for internal process improvements and best practices.Ensure suppliers are prepared for production and handle deliverables including all needed system updates.Ensure