Global Mechanical Category Manager

Global Mechanical Category Manager

Location: Europe (Hybrid)
Travel: Up to 25% international travel
Department: Global Category Management
Reporting to: Senior Director of Category Management

We are seeking an experienced and commercially minded Global Mechanical Category Manager to lead the development and execution of category strategies across our global mechanical spend portfolio.

This is a strategic role that combines engineering knowledge, procurement expertise and stakeholder management. You will work closely with teams across engineering, operations, manufacturing and finance to deliver sustainable value, strengthen supplier partnerships and support business growth through innovative sourcing strategies.

This position would particularly suit someone with a strong engineering background who has successfully transitioned into procurement, category management or strategic sourcing.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and implement global category strategies that align with business objectives and deliver measurable value
• Analyse spend patterns, market trends and emerging technologies to identify opportunities, risks and efficiencies
• Lead supplier selection, evaluation and performance management activities across global operations
• Build and maintain long-term strategic supplier relationships that support quality, delivery, innovation and sustainability goals
• Negotiate commercial agreements and contracts to achieve the best value while mitigating risk
• Partner with internal stakeholders across engineering, manufacturing, operations and finance to understand requirements and align sourcing strategies
• Lead change management initiatives to support the successful implementation of sourcing projects and new ways of working
• Develop category methodologies, governance and best practice processes that can be deployed globally
• Identify supply chain risks and develop robust mitigation and contingency plans

Essential Skills

• Change management
• Building strong, trusted relationships at all levels of an organisation
• Commercial negotiations
• Strong influencing and stakeholder management skills
• Ability to collaborate across global and cross-functional teams
• Excellent listening and communication skills
• Strategic thinking and category methodology development
• Confidence to challenge constructively and drive positive change
• Creative mindset with the ability to develop and improve processes independently

What We're Looking For

Experience & Qualifications

• Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related discipline preferred
• MBA qualification desirable
• Solid experience in category management, strategic sourcing or procurement
• Strong technical or engineering background (ideally Mechanical Engineering)
• Experience developing and executing category strategies within a global environment
• Industrial or manufacturing sector experience, such as Aerospace, Defence, Energy, Rail, Advanced Manufacturing
• Proven track record of supplier management, contract negotiations and delivering commercial value
• Good level of written and spoken English

Personal Attributes

• Demonstrates strong business and commercial acumen
• Builds credibility quickly and forms trusted relationships
• Comfortable influencing senior stakeholders and challenging established thinking
• Combines analytical rigour with practical decision-making
• Enjoys working in complex, international environments
• Can balance strategic thinking with hands-on execution
• Thrives in a collaborative, matrix organisation

Why Join Us?

This is an exciting opportunity to shape global sourcing strategies within a highly technical and international business. You'll have the chance to influence key decisions, work with strategic suppliers worldwide, and play a significant role in driving operational and commercial performance across multiple regions.

With regular international travel, this role offers exposure to global teams, suppliers and manufacturing operations across Europe and beyond.

If you have an engineering foundation, strong category management expertise and the ambition to influence procurement strategy on a global scale, we'd love to hear from you.