Procurement Category Manager, Air Freight

OverviewProcurement Category Manager, Air Freight. This role supports Cencora's wholesale distribution services in Europe, operating through Alliance Healthcare. We are hiring to join our international Procurement team.Role: The Category Lead develops category strategies for regional and local categories, including sourcing strategy definition, deployment, value engineering and stakeholder management. The Category Lead supports the implementation of Category Strategies in Europe to maximise total cost of ownership savings and procurement value contribution. He/she is the resident expert for strategic procurement in the specific category, sharing and facilitating best practices, working closely with local businesses, the wider Cencora business and category teams.ResponsibilitiesLeads strategic planning for regional and local categories and ensures alignment across businesses in EuropeTakes strategic and long-term view of the category, identifies and develops innovative sources and contractual arrangementsDevelops category strategies and initiatives, including value engineeringProvides analysis and support related to setting category spend baseline and category profile, including risk assessmentAligns category strategy with local businesses and their financial plansSupports VP Procurement for the IBG in defining a priority list of categories suitable for strategic sourcing initiatives, aligned with country and Global Indirect Category procurementRecords and reports value delivery of conducted sourcing projectsLeads implementation of procurement strategy and sourcing executionParticipates in internal and external analysis (industry and supplier) in collaboration with in-country procurement Managers as a member of a cross-functional sourcing teamAligns global, regional and local category activitiesSupports supplier selection and provides recommendations to VP Procurement for final decisionSupports fact-based negotiations with suppliersObtains stakeholder and leadership team approvals as required (eg SCP & Delegation of Authority)Ensures that governance processes are followed (eg SCP, Delegation of Authority, Code of Conduct)Ensures that category-specific operational processes and policies are in place and a compliant usageOrganises sessions with internal customers to identify further Total Cost of Ownership reduction and value engineering opportunities for regional categoriesSupports the delivery of value engineering projects in countriesEstablishes measures and controls for countries to ensure and track successful implementation in alignment with KPIsSupports alignment of negotiation timing and contract durations between countries to enable Best Practice Sharing and supplier leverageEngages in local initiatives (aggregate demand, construct bid packages, value engineering projects) especially negotiations to ensure value levers are effectively usedLeads contract implementation and drives contract compliance and payment terms as per agreed procurement policiesWorks with in-country procurement Managers to ensure local acceptance of new contracts and extended value generation to increase customer satisfactionCoordinates contract implementation tasks with in-country procurement Managers and usersMonitors contract compliance and takes corrective actions as requiredCreates and stores project deliverables and templates in knowledge repositoriesManages supplier relationships within the defined category scopeSupports supplier evaluation and audit policies and continuously tracks supplier performanceSupports supplier development activities and conducts cross-functional reviews with suppliers to improve performance and reduce costIdentifies potential contract improvement and renegotiation opportunitiesExecutes large spot buys and sources major unplanned demands to manage high spend with category expertiseQualificationsAcademic BackgroundAppropriate university/bachelor degree qualification preferred. A recognized qualification in procurement (e.g., CIPS) is an asset.ExperienceExtensive knowledge of Air Freight LogisticsProven experience managing Air Freight Procurement, including end-to-end sourcingMinimum of 5 years’ experience in ProcurementProven category management experienceExperience in implementing strategies aligned with organizational goalsProcurement experience on a Pan-European scale is preferableLanguage SkillsProficiency in English essentialTravel: This role will require regular travel across markets within the IBG as well as supplier visits.What Cencora offersBenefit offerings outside the US may vary by country and will be aligned to local market practice. The eligibility and effective date may differ for some benefits and for team members covered under collective bargaining agreements.Full timeEqual Employment OpportunityCencora is committed to providing equal employment opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, age, disability, veteran status or membership in any other class protected by law. The company’s continued success depends on the full and effective utilization of qualified individuals. Therefore, harassment is prohibited and all matters related to recruiting, training, compensation, benefits, promotions and transfers comply with equal opportunity principles and are non-discriminatory. Cencora is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities during the employment process which are consistent with legal requirements. If you wish to request an accommodation while seeking employment, please call 888.692.2272 or email hrsc@cencora.com. We will make accommodation determinations on a request-by-request basis. #J-18808-Ljbffr