Category Specialist (all genders)

Beyond Gravity; Zürich; On-site; CHF 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Beyond Gravity in Zürich Flughafen, CH, is seeking a Category Manager who will define, develop, and execute procurement strategies for space-related commodities. You will ensure optimal cost, quality, delivery, and risk management across suppliers to support programs and long-term competitiveness.

Join a high-tech, international team with a hybrid work model and opportunities to grow within the company and globally.

Qualifications

• 5–8+ years of procurement experience, ideally in aerospace or high-tech industries.
• Strong knowledge of direct procurement processes and supplier management.
• Familiarity with space systems and industrial supply chains is an advantage.
• Fluent in English; additional languages a plus.

Responsibilities

• Define and implement category strategy with business needs and global procurement guidelines.
• Lead supplier evaluation, negotiation, and contracting including long-term agreements.
• Conduct market analysis, technology scouting, and supplier landscape assessments.
• Drive cost reduction initiatives, dual-sourcing, and supplier consolidation.
• Manage risk, quality, delivery, and performance reviews across suppliers.
• Collaborate with Program Management, Engineering, and Quality teams to support programs.
• Represent the category in governance boards and with senior leadership.

Skills

Procurement experience

Supplier management

Negotiation

Export controls knowledge

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Engineering / SCM

Job description

Beyond Gravity, headquartered in Zurich, Switzerland, is the first space company to combine a startup mindset, agility, speed and innovation with decades of experience and proven quality. Approximately 1800 employees at 12 locations in six countries (Switzerland, Sweden, Austria, USA, Finland and Portugal) develop and manufacture products for satellites and launch vehicles with the goal of advancing humankind and enabling the exploration of the world and beyond. Beyond Gravity is the preferred supplier of structures for all types of launch vehicles and a leading provider of selected satellite products and constellation solutions in the New Space sector. More information at: www.beyondgravity.com

Your Crew:

Join a fast-growing company undergoing an ambitious industrial transformation. You’ll be part of a close-knit team, driven by daily challenges and a strong spirit of continuous improvement. you'll thrive in a structured yet agile environment where precision, collaboration, and the desire to grow together are core values.Every contribution matters — you’ll play a key role in our collective performance.

Your Mission:

The Category Manager is responsible for defining, developing, and executing the procurement strategy for a specific set of space-related commodities (e.g., Raw and Production Materials, Electrical & Electronics, Mechanical, etc). This role ensures optimal cost, quality, delivery, and risk management performance across the supply base, contributing directly to program success and long-term business competitiveness.

Category Strategy & Governance

• Develop and implement the category strategy in alignment with business needs, program requirements, and global procurement guidelines.
• Conduct market analysis, technology scouting, and supplier landscape assessment to identify trends, opportunities, and risks.
• Define multi-year roadmaps, including cost reduction initiatives, supplier consolidation, dual-sourcing strategies, and innovation pipelines.
• Ensure the category strategy is aligned with Business Units and Engineering stakeholders.
• Identify, select, and manage strategic suppliers, ensuring performance in quality, delivery, cost, and compliance.
• Lead supplier evaluation, negotiation, and contracting activities, including long-term agreements.
• Drive supplier development actions, risk mitigation plans, and performance reviews .
• Manage escalations and develop recovery plans when necessary.

Program Support

• Support ongoing space programs by providing procurement expertise and ensuring timely availability of critical parts and systems.
• Collaborate closely with Program Management, Engineering, Supply Chain, and Quality teams.
• Ensure procurement deliverables (costing, schedules, risks, documentation) are met throughout program phases (offer, development, production, etc).

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner with Engineering to influence design-to-cost and make-or-buy decisions.
• Work with Finance to track budget impacts, cost savings, and procurement KPIs.
• Collaborate with Legal, Compliance, and Export Control teams to ensure adherence to regulatory frameworks (e.g., ITAR, EAR, NEO, CMMC).

Leadership & Governance

• Provide guidance to Commodity Specialists within the category.
• Drive harmonization of processes, tools, and best practices across the procurement organization.
• Represent the category in internal governance boards and in front of senior leadership.

Your Story:

Must’s (typically 3-5):

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Engineering, Supply Chain Management, Business, or related field.
• 5–8+ years of experience in procurement, ideally in aerospace, defense, or high-tech industries.
• Strong knowledge of direct procurement processes, supplier management, and negotiation.
• Familiarity with space systems, components, and industrial supply chains is a significant advantage.
• Proven ability to develop strategies and execute complex procurement activities.
• Supplier relationship and performance management expertise.
• Knowledge of Export Control regulations and compliance requirements.
• Fluent in English. Other languages are a plus.

Nice to have’s:

• Experience with long-cycle, high-tech procurement (e.g., propulsion, electronics, optics, composites).
• Experience in global sourcing and supplier development.
• Prior leadership of small teams or virtual teams.

Why Beyond Gravity?

You will be a part of an engaged team with the ambition to innovate space!
You will work in a growing high-tech company with career opportunities within the location or internationally.
In Nyon we have a down-to‑earth culture, experienced and competent employees and a versatile management team.We offer a hybrid work situation and flexible hours to match your rhythm.
We have a competitive salary and benefits

Are you ready for lift-off?

Our core values - Passionate, Together, and Curious - transform challenges into opportunities. Embark on a journey to transcend the ordinary with us.We‘re actively reviewing candidates and will promptly select the ideal fit for our team.

For questions regarding the recruitment process, please contact: Catarina Rio| |[e-mail]

Beyond Gravity is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We welcome and encourage applications from all qualified individuals, regardless of race, color, religion, sex, gender, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other legally protected categories.

Applications by e‑mail cannot be considered. We do not accept dossiers from recruitment agencies for this position.

Location

Zürich Flughafen, ZH, CH

Job Experience Level: Professionals