Category Manager

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Are you looking for a position in which you can set direction and drive category management in the area of Logistics and Material Handling Equipment in Group Procurement? Would you like to play a big role in creating and driving the transformation towards sustainable solutions and be involved in complex and strategic agreements for DFDS? If so, you could be the perfect fit for our team as Category Manager.

About the role
The Group Procurement department is progressing on a journey towards becoming a strong integrated partner for the business and we are focusing on developing and professionalizing the sourcing function within our Logistics division. You will have responsibility for a broad category, covering the procurement of Material Handling Equipment, the electrification of such equipment, and large sea freight agreements. In addition to this, it is expected that you will be able to increase the procurement spend coverage and identify opportunities for delivering additional value within the Logistics division spend.

Within Group Procurement, there are plenty of opportunities to make a significant impact, show your capabilities and skills, and make a difference. One such example could be integration-work on companies recently acquired by DFDS, where synergies and best practices need to be identified and utilized.

You will get a broad exposure to the whole organization and top management, where sustainable solutions are high on the strategic agenda. As Category Manager, you will have the opportunity to impact this development process in collaboration with stakeholders and the Procurement team.

You will be responsible for developing the category strategy and running various projects from initiation to final implementation of a contract and handover to the business. This will be in close collaboration with relevant stakeholders.

More specifically, your tasks will include to:

• Develop and execute category strategy for key sub-categories, such as Material Handling Equipment and Sea Freight
• Identify and develop new high potential areas for involvement.
• Maintain and develop relationships with senior stakeholders across the DFDS Group
• Act as a professional integrated partner to the business by engaging our stakeholders in discussions on technical specifications
• Drive analytical insights across various categories including complex calculations for recommendations and decision-making
• Create, run, and analyze tenders
• Facilitate the preparation of and execute negotiations in cross-functional teams and finalize agreements with suppliers
• Facilitate meetings with strategic suppliers and drive SRM
• Investigate and develop new high potential areas for involvement.

You will hold an important position in centralizing procurement efforts, implementing and maintaining global/regional contracts and best practice with a focus on optimizing supplier performance.

The position is based at our headquarters in Copenhagen, Denmark. To meet the expectations of the role, 10-20 travel days a year are anticipated.

About you
You enjoy a dynamic work environment, embracing challenges and handling multiple tasks at once. Furthermore, you are a true team player with the ability to question and improve the status quo based on excellent communication, sharp analytical skills and change management capabilities.

The ideal candidate has:

• Min. 3+ years of relevant procurement experience (depending on experience, the position can potentially be extended to a Senior Category Manager role)
• Business acumen, flexibility, and ability to prioritize based on high business requests and impact-evaluation
• An academic degree, e.g. within business, supply chain management or engineering
• In-depth knowledge and experience with tender process, execution and sourcing strategies
• Knowledge of supply chain management tools, techniques and processes
• Project management skills, including ability to develop business plans, plan a project, drive problem solving and manage a project team
• The ability to create data driven insights and understand and scrutinize data in order to make business cases and strategic decisions
• Advanced Excel skills are an advantage.

Furthermore, we are looking for you who have:

• Great interpersonal skills and feel comfortable engaging with stakeholders at all levels of the organization and across cultures
• A result-oriented mindset while keeping a focus on customers’ needs
• Documented experience in achieving results in strategic procurement, supplier performance and supplier management, while managing a balance with stakeholder management
• Excellent oral and written English language skills
• Proficiency as an IT user.

Our promise to you
As our new Category Manager, you will step into an exciting role with a great opportunity to work independently within a team. You will get the chance to shape your own category, make a meaningful impact, and develop new areas of involvement.

In addition to offering a role with plenty of influential possibilities and responsibilities, we offer a flexible working environment in an informal and international organization. You will join our collaborative and inclusive environment where open dialogue is encouraged and where solid argumentation is valued over title. You will get a manager with a comprehensive leadership style who will set the direction while valuing input from you and your team members.

Working at DFDS
Join the movement and grow with us.
While you’re with us, we want you to develop. At DFDS, we believe that development happens first and foremost through activities in the workplace. We will also offer training courses that can support you in your role, if needed.

Be a valued member of a diverse team at DFDS and help drive change together.

At DFDS, we promote a great workplace with a diverse and vibrant community, and a healthy work/life balance. Our newly built headquarters in Copenhagen is a unique, modern workplace which received the award "Office building of the year 2023". Here, we enjoy our own game room, fitness facilities, cantina and café, and a rooftop terrace with a beautiful ocean view, all just 5 minutes from the nearest train & metro station.

Are we a match? Then what are you waiting for? Apply now.
Can you see yourself in this role and does it sound like your dream job? Then we’d love to hear from you! If you’re unsure whether you meet all the requirements, don’t hesitate to reach out - we still want to hear from you!

Send us your CV in English as soon as possible as we will meet with candidates on an ongoing basis.

If you have any questions, please contact Head of Direct Procurement (Logistics and Terminal Equipment) Otto W. Ingstrup at [email protected].

We look forward to hearing from you!

Department Office careers Locations DFDS Headquarter (Marmorvej 18, Copenhagen) People manager position No

About DFDS Denmark
We are a transport and logistics company providing the safe, reliable and efficient movement of people and goods - more than 12,000 colleagues, all committed to transforming our business into a greener and more digitised operation. We are proud of our role as part of the critical infrastructure serving customers and communities across Europe and further afield.

Be part of DFDS and be part of the movement.