Global Category Manager - MRO

EMEA Recruitment; Luzern; On-site; CHF 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Global Category Manager – MRO & Technical Services in Lucerne, Switzerland, is a permanent, full-time role with global scope. You will drive maintenance, repair, overhaul, and spare parts strategy across international manufacturing assets.

You will lead RFQ processes, negotiate contracts, optimize working capital, align with engineering teams, and ensure data integrity in SAP. Fluency in English and Swiss work authorization required.

Qualifications

• Global strategic sourcing or category management experience focused on MRO, industrial spare parts, or heavy machinery.
• Expertise in working capital optimization, inventory analytics and supplier negotiations.
• Collaborative leadership capable of influencing cross-functional technical and operational teams.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute international sourcing strategies for MRO, spare parts, and services.
• Lead RFQs, contract negotiations, and framework agreements with OEMs, distributors, and service providers.
• Drive digital inventory optimization, data management, analytics, and SAP master data accuracy.
• Align with global engineering, maintenance and reliability teams to optimize supplier performance.

Skills

Global category management

MRO procurement

Inventory analytics

Supplier negotiations

Cross-functional leadership

English fluency

RFQ management

Tools

SAP

Job description

Global Category Manager – MRO & Technical Services

EMEA Recruitment has been exclusively appointed to secure a Global Category Manager – MRO & Technical Services for a world-leading manufacturing group in Lucerne. Driving long-term strategy across maintenance, repair, overhaul (MRO), and spare parts, this strategic role optimizes working capital and operational reliability across global manufacturing assets.

Location:

Lucerne, Switzerland | Scope: Global MRO & Technical Procurement | Type: Permanent, full-time

Key Focus:

• Global Category Strategy: Develop and execute international sourcing strategies for MRO, spare parts, and services to drive cost savings and working capital improvements.
• Commercial Negotiations: Lead RFQs, contract negotiations, and framework agreements across OEMs, distributors, and service providers.
• Digital Inventory Optimization: Drive data management, analytics, and working capital governance for spare parts, supporting advanced inventory platforms and SAP master data accuracy.
• Technical Stakeholder Alignment: Partner with global engineering, maintenance, and reliability teams to optimize supplier performance and support capital projects.

Requirements:

• Proven track record in global strategic sourcing or category management focusing on MRO, industrial spare parts, or heavy machinery maintenance.
• Strong expertise in working capital optimization, inventory analytics, and supplier negotiations.
• Collaborative leadership style with the ability to influence cross-functional technical and operational networks.
• Fluent English; valid right to work in Switzerland is required (EU/EFTA passport or Swiss permit).

EMEA Recruitment is committed to promoting Equity, Diversity and Inclusion in the workplace. We act as a neutral third party in the recruitment process, basing our candidate searches on skills and experience. We do not discriminate on the basis of age, gender, sex, relationship status, disability, race, religion/beliefs, or sexual orientation. or sexual orientation.