Category Manager

Company Description

Zurich-based green-tech company Hitachi Zosen Inova (HZI) is a global leader in solutions for energy transition and circular economy including Energy from Waste (EfW) and Renewable Gas (RG), operating as part of the Hitachi Zosen Corporation Group. HZI acts as a project developer, technology supplier and engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contractor delivering complete turnkey plants and system solutions for thermal and biological waste recovery. Its solutions are based on efficient and environmentally sound technologies, are thoroughly tested, and can be flexibly adapted to customer requirements. HZI’s Service Solutions Group combines its own research and development with comprehensive manufacturing and erection capabilities to provide support throughout a plant’s entire plant cycle. HZI works for customers ranging from established waste management companies to up-and-coming partners in new markets. Its innovative and reliable solutions have been part of more than 1,600 reference projects worldwide.

Find out more about HZI at www.hz-inova.com.

Job Description

1. Strategic Planning:

• Develop, communicate and implement comprehensive category strategies aligned with overall business objectives and needs (WTx, RG, SyS) and collective all relevant inputs from the execution team (projects)
• Identify business synergies opportunities to enrich the category strategies.
• Conduct market research and analysis to identify trends, opportunities, and threats in the assigned category, and establish the should-cost.
• Establish sourcing objectives and priorities (sourcing roadmap) in terms of regions, lots, suppliers. 

2. Supplier Management:

• Build and maintain strong relationships with suppliers to support the business objective (claims, negotiations)
• Identify the adequate panel of supplier for each category, projects and business needs ( i.e. BCC suppliers, local/regions suppliers)
• Category manager
• Evaluate, select and qualify new suppliers to ensure the supplier panel compliant to category strategy and meet the business needs.
• Establish Supplier development plan to support category strategy and Business objectives.
• Negotiating favorable terms, pricing, and agreements with the suppliers to support category strategy.
• Evaluate suppliers based on performance, quality, and reliability and build up a supplier scorecard that support business decisions.

3. Cross-functional Collaboration & Stakeholders management:

• Collaborate with functions (sales, tenders, R&D, operations, engineering teams) to ensure alignment of category strategies with overall business goals.
• Identify, map, manage and develop stakeholders’ management strategy to enhance implementation of the category strategy aligned with business objectives and optimization of the interfaces
• Define the role of SPM for each specific Lot, ensure the implementation of category strategy in project execution, revise strategy with feedback from execution when needed. 
• Support tenders by providing sourcing solution and cost saving opportunities.

4. Market and Competitor Analysis:

• Stay abreast of market trends, competitor activities, and industry developments.
• Utilize data and insights to make informed decisions and adapt category strategies accordingly.

5. Financial Management:

• Provide benchmark to support setting budgets for the category, monitoring financial performance throughout projects execution and steer possible continuous cost improvement.
• Scan, initiate, contribute and develop cost reduction initiatives, cross function, countries and businesses and transform them into actual TCO reduction into projects
• Conduct regular financial analysis to assess the category's profitability and recommend adjustments as needed.

6. Project support

• Coordinate and communicate at early stages with project team ( PD/PM/PPM/Logistic)
• Define project sourcing strategies, suppliers list ( PEPP) and get the buy in from the stakeholders
• Support SPM in claims management and negotiations

7. Communication and Promotions:

• Develop and execute promotional strategies to drive sales and achieve revenue targets.
• Communicate and Promote category strategy through function, business and countries
• Implement continuous improvement initiatives based on data-driven insights.

8. Process optimization

• contribute to increase procurement excellence in implementing lean process

9. Compliance and Risk Management:

• Ensure compliance with industry regulations, standards, and company policies.
• Identify and mitigate potential risks related to the category, such as supply chain disruptions or regulatory changes.

10. Performance Measurement:

• Define key performance indicators (KPIs) for the category and regularly assess and report on performance.

Qualifications

Job specific qualification

• Proven track record in the EPC projects environment (min 5 years)
•  Master in supply chain or Engineering degree with experience in sourcing, category management and or procurement
•  Successful proven working experience as category manager for at least 5 years ideally within EPC, Energy from waste, Power 
•  Good technical and product understanding, 
• Advanced and proven skills in: Strategy development, Contract negotiation, Project management, 
• Communication and Presentation, Organizational and analytic, change management and problem solving
• Critical thinker, Resilient, Curious and creative, eager to success 
• Good social skills and reputation for integrity
• Interdisciplinary project management experience
• Takes responsibilities for ensuring best outcomes
• Used to communicating at Board Level & across divisional structures 
• Promotes the long-term internal and external collaboration, based on the company values
• Willing to travel up to 40%

Competences in working methods

• Advanced negotiation skills (Iterative Procurement & Claims management)
• Knowledge of Supply Chain processes
• Knowledge of Company tools and eProcurement solutions (ERP, Ms Office)
• Experience in implementing strategies within company.
• Innovative, knowledge in change management
• Experience in Stakeholders management
• Very good market and product knowledge
• Multicultural experience
• Multilingual with professional English (B2 – C1)

Additional Information

We offer

• Responsible challenge with diversified field of activity
• Team-oriented working atmosphere in an international Company
• Personal development opportunities through own Inova Academy
• Opportunity to gain an insight into various technical disciplines
• Excellent employment conditions
• Attractive working place (central, good transport links)

For HR agencies: Please note that we do not accept applications coming from agencies. Thank you.

For HR agencies: Please note that we do not accept applications coming from agencies. Thank you.