Category Manager - Indirect Procurement

At BDR Thermea Group, the Category Manager – Indirect Procurement reports to the Global Procurement Manager - Indirect and works with internal and external stakeholders across the group, including Site Management Teams, Site Procurement Teams, and functional experts, to develop a coherent, future-proof supplier base strategy.

This role supports all sites across the Group to develop, embed, and practise effective procurement techniques and strategies for the purchase of capital equipment. It drives supplier performance improvement and develops Group Supplier strategies that move away from local selection approaches. The role involves managing relationships with Group Suppliers on behalf of BDR Thermea, driving cost reduction, and owning performance improvement. There will also be the opportunity to put supplier strategies in place in collaboration with internal stakeholders, build performance metrics, and track key costs, budgets, sustainability, and performance-related KPIs.

Who will you be working with?

The role works closely with internal and external stakeholders across the group, including Site Management Teams, Site Procurement Teams, and functional experts.

Daily you’ll be responsible for, but not limited to:

Procurement ownership of delivering high-value, business-critical projects while gaining exceptional exposure to senior stakeholders.

• Work with functional stakeholders to understand business needs and partner to deliver best-value procurement solutions for BDR.
• Refine a toolkit to support all future purchases.
• Lead end-to-end procurement of products and services, and site projects from supplier selection to contract management.
• Build strong supplier partnerships to ensure TCO, innovation, value, and long-term reliability.
• Negotiate high-value, complex contracts with service providers.
• Align closely with functional stakeholders to anticipate needs and deliver best-in-class solutions.
• Support local Buyers and teams to negotiate and strategize procurement of goods and services, ensuring a “should be” cost mentality and awareness of key cost drivers to secure value for money for all external purchases.
• Provide guidance on best practice between the Procurement team, functions, and finance.
• Develop a preferred supplier list for specific categories of responsibility, with agreed terms, schedules, and measurement criteria/KPIs.
• Own the supply strategy and cost-down plans for the category area.
• Establish service level agreements with end users and key stakeholders in each location.
• Monitor supplier performance against milestones, inform relevant stakeholders, and support escalation of concerns to senior contacts within suppliers when needed.
• Enforce an ethical and sustainable supplier selection process considering key criteria to support business goals.
• Work with relevant internal stakeholders to create annual budget planning for preferred suppliers, timing, risk, and resources.

About you:

We want to make sure you’re set up for success in your mission; required experience is as follows:

• 5+ years' procurement experience in categories such as Marketing, HR, Consultancy services, and engineering services. Experience across manufacturing and engineering environments is preferable.
• Strong commercial acumen and experience managing large contracts and complex high-power suppliers.
• Confident communicator with the credibility to influence technical and operational stakeholders.
• Proactive, down-to-earth approach with the adaptability to thrive in a transformational environment.
• Able to collaborate and communicate across multi-functional matrix teams across the multi-cultural Group.
• Proficient in collecting, handling, analysing, and presenting various types of data.
• Strong presentation and influencing skills.
• Close proximity to BDR HQ in Apeldoorn, NL, working in the office 3–4 days per week.
• Ability to travel across the EU for plant and supplier visits.

What we offer:

• Competitive salary and benefits package.
• Be part of the movement to drive the energy transition forward.
• Work with cutting-edge technology.
• Be part of an international, collaborative team that values your input.
• Enjoy a vibrant culture.
• Receive travel reimbursement and wellness perks.

About the company

At BDR Thermea Group, we're bringing the energy transition closer every day. We're serving customers in more than 100 countries with the help of our diverse 6,000-strong team. United by a shared mission to bring a sustainable future closer through smart indoor climate solutions, we champion innovation, customer focus, and a cohesive team culture.