Category Manager Mechatronics

At Lely, we develop high-tech, innovative solutions that make the lives of dairy farmers more enjoyable, sustainable, and efficient. As a Category Manager Mechatronics, you play a key role in this mission by enabling supplier innovation and selecting and connecting the right partners to our mechatronic solutions. These are suppliers who deliver on time, within budget, and according to the highest quality standards, ensuring business continuity.

In this role, you act as the vital link between suppliers and internal stakeholders such as R&D, Mechatronics Engineering, and Operations. You ensure that sourcing activities optimally support system performance, total cost of ownership, and sustainability throughout the entire product lifecycle. Within your category, you are end-to-end responsible for sourcing and contracting complex mechatronic components and systems, fully aligned with the category strategy and technology roadmap. You work closely with Engineering and Integrated Supply Chain colleagues to integrate procurement early in the product development cycle and to drive joint innovation with suppliers.

A key element of this position is broadening and deepening the team’s knowledge of mechatronics. You focus on electromechanical components and systems such as actuators, sensors, motors, cable harnesses, and control units, as well as the related production and assembly techniques. By further developing this technical expertise, you contribute to well-informed sourcing decisions that strengthen product performance, reliability, and innovation.

Your main responsibilities:

• Contribute to and execute the category sourcing strategy and related policies;
• Monitor market and technological developments within mechatronics and translate these into sourcing strategies and supplier selection;
• Execute sourcing and contracting projects in line with category and business needs, including supply risk mitigation and sustainability;
• Lead negotiations and establish supplier contracts;
• Build and maintain long-term relationships with suppliers and continuously improve their performance;
• Manage supplier risks, compliance, and contracts to maximize value.

With your calm and structured way of working, you bring stability to the team. At the same time, you thrive on close collaboration with suppliers and feel comfortable in a role that involves frequent travel.

You are a driven and proactive procurement professional with a strong affinity for mechatronics and technological innovation. You know how to connect technical content with business value and enjoy working in multidisciplinary environments.

We are looking for someone who brings the following:

• A Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Procurement, Supply Chain Management, Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics, or a comparable technical field;
• At least 5 years of experience in strategic or tactical procurement;
• Knowledge of mechatronic components and systems, including related production and assembly processes;
• Proven experience in sourcing, negotiation, lifecycle management, and contract management;
• Strong stakeholder management, communication, and collaboration skills;
• An analytical mindset with a structured and thorough approach;
• Willingness to travel internationally (approximately 10–20%).

Working at Lely means contributing to sustainable progress within one of the most innovative organizations in the Netherlands. You help make the agricultural sector future-proof, and we ensure that you have the space, resources, and support needed to do so.

In addition, we offer:

• An international working environment with plenty of room for personal initiative and entrepreneurship;
• Excellent employment conditions, including up to 8 weeks of vacation per year and a solid pension scheme;
• Strong development opportunities through the Lely Academy, from personal development to role-specific training;
• Access to extensive sports facilities at our modern Lely Campus;
• Fresh coffee and tea from our own barista, milk straight from our farm, and a healthy, affordable company restaurant;
• A healthy work-life balance thanks to our hybrid working policy, with at least three days per week on Campus;
• A free shuttle bus to and from Maassluis metro station;
• Attention to celebrating successes and milestones, from anniversaries to festive events.