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Category Manager

Posted 17 Oct 2025
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Work experience
1 to 10 years
Full-time / part-time
Full-time
Job function
Degree level
Required languages
English (Fluent)
Dutch (Fluent)

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Category Manager bij Thales Nederland

About the team

Our team is responsible for all procurements within segment B in the Netherlands. The team consists of 9 persons. Within our team the Categories are allocated to the team members.

About your future job

As Category Manager you are part of the Thales Netherlands Procurement team as well as the Global Category team. You are responsible for managing a dedicated Procurement Category portfolio within the segment B ‘System & Equipment’.

Pro-actively and in close alignment with the PPM (Procurement Project Manager) organization and GCM (Global Category Manager) organization you contribute and establish a local Category strategy in line with the business needs and coherent with the strategy defined by the GCM for the world-wide Category. By leading the full procurement process from requisition until end of contract you ensure competitiveness, quality and timely delivery within your Category. You are able to negotiate and bridge gaps to satisfy the needs of your stakeholders.

You lead cross functional teams through the Category Technology Teams between Procurement, Engineering and Supply Chain in developing strategies, implementation and managing the supply base. Managing internal and external stakeholders is key in building close relations with your suppliers in order to make supplier knowledge and competitiveness available to the benefit of Thales products and services.

Your responsibilities include:

  • Shape, communicate and steer implementation of the Category strategy
  • Drive selection, negotiation and contracting of suppliers
  • Manage and control supplier performances
  • Identify and achieve cost reductions and improvements in cooperation with the suppliers and stakeholders

Why you'd be a good match

  • Strong negotiation skills
  • Able to build good relationships with external and internal stakeholders
  • Experience with relational contracting is a strong plus
  • Able to oversee and value interests in a broad perspective
  • Good communication skills
  • Creative and solution oriented
  • A decisive and stress resistant finisher
  • Fluent in English, German and/or French are a plus
  • Relevant strategic Procurement or commercial experience
  • Completed relevant higher education
  • Affinity with high tech business

What's in it for you

  • A challenging job in a great team within our high-tech, innovative work environment. Includes the freedom for initiative and good ideas.
  • Room for personal and professional growth within our organization, for example in regards to technical, commercial or international skills.
  • Valuable international collaboration with coworkers from 68 different countries around the globe.
  • A comfortable work space in a modern environment, with a focus on flexibility and the right work life balance.
  • You can usually work where and when you want to be able to do your work as well and efficiently as possible. Within Thales we implement hybrid working, where you can, for example, work from home two days a week if your role allows it.
  • A good salary, fitting travel allowance, and the ability to personalize your employment conditions: for instance, you can trade days off for internet costs, our bicycle plan, company fitness and relocation costs.
  • 40 days off per year (PTO).

Level of responsibility

LR 9 (VKG 70)

Contact

Reach out for more information to our Talent Acquisition Partner Gerlof Jan Heck, via gerlofjan.heck@thalesgroup.com.

“Bij Thales krijg ik alle kansen en de ruimte om mijzelf verder te ontwikkelen, en dat als onderdeel van allerlei gave processen en projecten binnen de organisatie!”

Anoek Trainee

“Wat het voor mij aantrekkelijk maakt om hier te werken, is de diversiteit in opdrachten en het werken in verschillende teams met diverse disciplines. Zo blijf je jezelf ontwikkelen binnen het cyberdomein.”

Maurits Cyber Engineer

Security Requirements

In lijn met de basisbeveiligingsvereisten van Thales vragen wij kandidaten mogelijk om bewijs omtrent identiteit, werkvergunning en arbeids- plus opleidingsgeschiedenis. Sommige vacatures vereisen ook een security clearance die verdere informatie vereist. Voor meer informatie over wat er nodig is voor bepaalde security clearance, raadpleeg dan de General Intelligence and Security Service.

With 80.000 talents working in 68 countries, we are one of the biggest high-tech employers in the field of safety and security. In the Netherlands, where 2500 employees are based, we are located in four cities: Huizen, Delft, Eindhoven and Hengelo (HQ).
Do you want to kickstart your career in an international high-tech environment? And are you looking for a traineeship where you can develop your personal skills? Our traineeship starts in October 2023. Check www.thalestraineeship.nl

Engineering
Hengelo
Active in 65 countries
2,500 employees
70% men - 30% women
Average age is 45 years