Purpose of the role

The Strategic Sourcing Manager is responsible for shaping and executing strategic sourcing activities across VAT’s global Packaging category and selected Professional Services, IT and other indirect categories. The role develops sourcing and supplier strategies based on spend, market, cost and risk analysis and leads initiatives from opportunity identification through sourcing, negotiation, contracting and implementation. Working as a strategic partner to global stakeholders, the position drives sustainable business value through improved total cost, supplier performance, resilience, commercial value and risk management.

Responsibilities

• Develop and lead strategic sourcing initiatives across Packaging, Professional Services, IT and other assigned categories.
• Analyze spend, demand, supplier markets, cost drivers and risks to identify and prioritize value opportunities.
• Develop sourcing approaches, supplier strategies and roadmaps that strengthen competitiveness, resilience and long-term value.
• Lead end-to-end strategic sourcing initiatives, from opportunity identification and market evaluation through RFx, supplier selection, negotiation, contracting and implementation.
• Lead complex commercial negotiations and develop effective commercial and contractual solutions in collaboration with business stakeholders and Legal.
• Evaluate and develop strategic suppliers and drive supplier performance, consolidation and relationship optimization where appropriate.
• Develop and implement sourcing and supply-risk mitigation strategies, including supplier diversification and alternative sourcing approaches.
• Translate business requirements into effective sourcing solutions, challenge requirements where appropriate and drive cross-functional decisions through influence rather than direct authority.
• Partner with senior stakeholders across Operations, IT, HR, Finance, Legal, Business Units and Procurement globally to align sourcing outcomes with business objectives.
• Ensure measurable value realization through savings, cost avoidance, improved total cost of ownership, supplier performance, commercial improvements and risk reduction.

Requirements

• Degree in Business Administration, Supply Chain, Procurement, Engineering, IT or a related field.
• 5+ years of experience in procurement, strategic sourcing and/or category management, preferably in a global industrial, manufacturing or technology-driven environment.
• Proven experience in Packaging procurement or strategic sourcing, with a strong understanding of supplier markets, cost drivers, specifications and commercial models.
• Proven track record of developing and leading strategic sourcing initiatives from opportunity identification through implementation and value realization.
• Strong experience in strategic and commercial negotiations, supplier strategy and supplier performance management.
• Experience working with global or multi-site supplier markets and across functions, regions and business units in a complex matrix organization.
• Strong analytical capabilities, including spend analysis, benchmarking, cost-driver analysis and total-cost considerations.
• Experience with Professional Services, IT or other complex indirect categories is advantageous.
• Strong stakeholder management and influencing skills, with the ability to challenge requirements and drive alignment without formal authority.
• Strategic and commercial mindset combined with a pragmatic, results-oriented approach and strong ownership for outcomes.
• Fluency in German and English.
• Experience with ERP, eSourcing or procurement platforms is advantageous.