The Category Manager (CM) is responsible for the sourcing strategy of equipment/materials/services in the specified category. Jointly with the Operations, the CM has the responsibility to prepare the Annual Sourcing Strategy/Plan, based on business objectives and the need to improve safety, quality, reliability, on-time Delivery, competitiveness or reduce risks related to product supply. CM is in charge of overseeing local category management and ensures central-local collaboration in Coordinated/Enforced categories.
The CM focuses on identifying and partnering « Best Class » suppliers, offering innovative technology solutions at a competitive price. CM is accountable for the supplier market analysis, besides their responsibilities to deploy the sourcing strategy on key categories, thus improving safety, quality, reliability, on-time delivery, competitiveness or reducing risks related to product supply. CM is expected to negotiate frame contracts for Hub suppliers and manage strategic relationships
He/She collaborates with the critical vendors to enhance transparency and integration, better (Quality) control of sub-vendors as well as competitiveness opportunities. Enhanced interaction will enable to decrease significantly our procurement costs through a Design-To-Cost approach, an adjustment of the scope of supply (with the vendors focusing on their core competencies) and a development of a new supply approach on sub-components such as motors etc. (e.g.: Technical, Price agreement).
Manage the procurement process and provide leadership, guidance, and support to their team of Category Managers, ensuring the successful execution of category implementation plan, alignment with overall business objectives, and continuous improvement in category performance.
1.Category Strategy
Define 3 years category strategy (including the supplier strategy) based on internal present and future requirements utilizing supplier and competitor market analysis together with category specialist, local HOP and key business stakeholders
Ensure deployment and maintenance of category strategy in all entities
The sourcing plan shall primarily focus on supplier qualification (new or extension), frame agreement, co-development, alliances, early partnering on key projects.
In close cooperation with Stakeholders, establish yearly ambition and its updates (within the target and rolling forecast processes)
Implement and manage the category strategy at appropriate geographical level
Liaise with other HUB / Cluster counterparts to ensure alignment on sourcing initiatives and priorities, as well as assessing practices for consideration in own efforts
Analyze current procurement portfolio, spend, supply base, contracts for Africa, Middle East and India
Analyze industry market profile and key suppliers, TCO drivers
Identify Risks & Opportunities
Perform internal and external benchmarks in relationship with the Procurement Performance Manager
Mitigate foreign exchange and commodities price risks in accordance with Finance policy and evaluate the cost impact and recommend plans (e.g.hedging, currency per country,…)
Identify short term opportunities (volumes consolidation, bundling) and long term opportunities (standardization, etc) and consolidate needs (OPEX and CAPEX), establish RFx planning
Take into account projects requirements through Procurement Project Managers and propose appropriate sourcing strategies
2. Sourcing execution & Contract Management
Analyse requirements and challenge specifications with requesters
Identify potential suppliers and propose the list to requesters
Launch RFx to pre-selected suppliers and deploy the process of suppliers selection (technical and commercial) with requesters
Analyze offers using TCO and "Should Cost" approaches, make scenarios and propose short list of suppliers based on fact-based and agreed criteria to requesters
Select suppliers and negotiate contracts in alignment with AMEI Chief Procurement Officer
Communicate and explain contracts to Buyers / Requisitioners and finance team for deployment and appropriate execution in the system.
Communicate contracts to internal customers (Supply chain)
Establish measures and controls to ensure and track successful implementation of the contract in collaboration with Procurement Performance Manager
Follow and manage contract implementation (application of price escalation formulas, volume rebate collection, products and services portfolio management, progress clauses, renewal etc.), including update of procurement database (contracts, catalogues...)
Define and periodically review buying channels
Manage incidents and claims
3. Suppliers relationship management
Lead SRM activities for key suppliers of his/her category (supplier strategy, evaluations, review and audit, innovation initiatives, internal promotion of supplier, supplier days)
Understand (and in some cases is involved in) the strategy of his/her most important suppliers
Animate the supplier qualification and audit process in collaboration with Inspection teams, HSEQ and Technical experts
Support in Corporate Social Program (CSP) nomination process (validation)
Contribute to supplier risk identification and mitigation to ensure compliance with risk mapping regulation
Facilitate introduction of suppliers to company level stakeholders
Manage contracts and supplier relationship in the long term
Resolve issues related to supplier in his/her portfolio
4. Stakeholders management
Develop and manage relationship with internal customers to ensure deployment of category strategies
Develop internal customer feedback on category strategies
Develop internal customer feedback regarding Supplier Performance
Lead working sessions with internal customers to identify TCO reduction opportunities
Develop proactive proximity and build recognition of the procurement function with internal customers
5. Continuous Improvement
Conduct periodic surveys to measure internal customer feedback for continuous improvement in collaboration with the Procurement Performance Manager
Get suggestions from suppliers to improve AL processes and develop innovations originating from suppliers
Undertake corrective actions with suppliers to improve performance (e.g. Supplier development programs, progress plans,…) and track progress
Undertake corrective actions with Clusters/Functions to improve contract compliance
Proactively organize sessions with internal customers to identify further TCO/TVO reduction opportunities: standardization, joint process improvement opportunities, value engineering, etc
Identify opportunities for automating Purchase Orders (catalogues, Open PO, Blanket Purchase Orders, etc.)
Analyze spot buying reduction opportunities, define and implement corrective actions
6. Reporting
Consolidate and present Category Management action plan to his/her Management and cluster teams
Provide periodic activity reporting to his/her Management on actual and projected savings related to his/her categories
Be accountable for the procurement performance related to his/her portfolio
1. University degree or above, in Business, or science & engineering .
2. 7+ years or more experiences of Procurement, with specific experience in the strategic sourcing of its category
3. Familiar with the chemical engineering process and the related equipments. Familiar with onshore and offshore equipment purchase.
Knowledge and Knowhow specific to the job
Be Act Engage
Category & Sourcing Strategy (Must have)
Category & Market Expertise (Must have)
Supplier Selection, Qualification & Relationship (Must have)
Negotiations & Contract Knowledge (Must have)
Performance & Process Management (Data, KPI & Digital Tools) (Must have)
Planification & Expediting (Good to have)
Financial Analysis (Transversal) (Should have)
Project Management (Transversal) (Must have)
Complementary Capabilities
- Thinking & Partnering strategically
Influencing for Change
Managing conflict
Analysing and solving problems
Strong interpersonal skills including written and oral communication skills
French and/or Arabic are advantageous
Our Differences make our Performance
At Air Liquide, we are committed to build a diverse and inclusive workplace that embraces the diversity of our employees, our customers, patients, community stakeholders and cultures across the world.
We welcome and consider applications from all qualified applicants, regardless of their background. We strongly believe a diverse organization opens up opportunities for people to express their talent, both individually and collectively and it helps foster our ability to innovate by living our fundamentals, acting for our success and creating an engaging environment in a changing world.
