Global Category & Strategy Specialist - Heavy Lift & Crane Services

Vestas; Aarhus; On-site; DKK 900,000 - 1,200,000; Full time

Job summary

Vestas seeks a Global Category & Strategy Specialist - Heavy Lift & Crane Services to define the strategic direction of a €300+ million spend portfolio, supporting onshore and offshore wind projects. You’ll lead supplier partnerships, drive value, and collaborate with Procurement, Engineering, Construction, and Project Management teams worldwide.

This role requires deep crane services expertise, international experience, and the ability to translate market insight into category strategies with

Qualifications

• 7+ years of experience in Category Management, Strategic Procurement, Supply Chain Strategy, Commercial Management, Project Delivery, Engineering, Construction, Installation Management, or related fields.
• Strong experience within crane services, heavy lifting, installation operations, offshore wind, marine construction, EPC, oil & gas, infrastructure, or other industries involving technically demanding and complex project environments.
• Demonstrated understanding of supplier markets, asset-intensive services, execution methodologies, commercial models, and operational challenges associated with large-scale projects.
• Experience shaping category strategies, commercial strategies, supplier engagement models, business partnerships, or strategic initiatives within complex international organizations.

Responsibilities

• Define and lead the global category strategy for Heavy Lift and Crane Services, ensuring alignment with business priorities, future project requirements, risk management objectives, and long-term value creation
• Build and maintain deep market intelligence on crane and heavy lift supplier markets, including capacity developments, equipment availability, commercial models, technology trends, regional dynamics, and competitive landscape
• Identify global and cross-regional opportunities to create value through standardization, supplier collaboration, market positioning, capability development, and strategic initiatives
• Develop and strengthen relationships with critical suppliers, establishing long-term partnerships that support business growth, innovation, supply security, and operational excellence
• Collaborate closely with Engineering, Construction, Installation, Project Management, and regional procurement teams to influence sourcing approaches, evaluate market alternatives, and support strategic decision-making
• Lead strategic commercial engagements with key global suppliers, including framework development, partnership models, and selected high-impact negotiations
• Drive cross-functional initiatives that improve competitiveness, resilience, supplier performance, and overall category maturity across the global organization

Skills

Category Management

Strategic Procurement

Supply Chain Strategy

Commercial Management

Project Delivery

Engineering

Construction

Installation Management

Supplier Markets

Cross-functional Collaboration

Education

Bachelor's or Master's degree in Engineering, Business, Supply Chain Management, Economics, or related

Job description

Aarhus N, Region Central Jutland, DK, 8200

Work experience: Specialist

Type of position: Full-Time

Job Family: Supply Chain and Logistics

Are you ready to shape the future of renewable energy on a global scale? Join Vestas as our next Global Category & Strategy Specialist - Heavy Lift & Crane Services, where you'll define the strategic direction of a critical global category supporting some of the world's largest onshore and offshore wind projects. Combining deep market insight, commercial acumen, and cross-functional collaboration, you'll drive long-term supplier partnerships, strengthen supply security, and create value across a spend portfolio of more than €300 million annually.

Technology & Operations > Procurement > Cranes & Installation

At Vestas, Global Procurement plays a critical role in enabling the successful delivery of renewable energy projects worldwide. We create value through category strategy, supplier partnerships, market intelligence, and cross-functional collaboration, ensuring that our businesses have access to competitive, scalable, and resilient supply chains.

We are looking for a Global Category & Strategy Specialist - Heavy Lift & Crane Services to drive the long-term strategic direction of one of the most critical supply markets supporting our global onshore and offshore project portfolio.

This is not a traditional procurement role. Success in this position requires a deep understanding of crane services, heavy lifting, installation methodologies, supplier markets, commercial models, and capacity dynamics, combined with the ability to translate market insight into global category strategies and business value.

Managing a portfolio exceeding +€300 million in annual spend, the role will work closely with stakeholders across Procurement, Engineering, Construction, Installation, Project Management, and regional organizations to strengthen supplier partnerships, identify synergies, mitigate risk, and support profitable growth globally.

Responsibilities

• Define and lead the global category strategy for Heavy Lift and Crane Services, ensuring alignment with business priorities, future project requirements, risk management objectives, and long-term value creation
• Build and maintain deep market intelligence on crane and heavy lift supplier markets, including capacity developments, equipment availability, commercial models, technology trends, regional dynamics, and competitive landscape
• Identify global and cross-regional opportunities to create value through standardization, supplier collaboration, market positioning, capability development, and strategic initiatives
• Develop and strengthen relationships with critical suppliers, establishing long-term partnerships that support business growth, innovation, supply security, and operational excellence
• Collaborate closely with Engineering, Construction, Installation, Project Management, and regional procurement teams to influence sourcing approaches, evaluate market alternatives, and support strategic decision-making
• Lead strategic commercial engagements with key global suppliers, including framework development, partnership models, and selected high-impact negotiations
• Drive cross-functional initiatives that improve competitiveness, resilience, supplier performance, and overall category maturity across the global organization

Qualifications

• 7+ years of experience in Category Management, Strategic Procurement, Supply Chain Strategy, Commercial Management, Project Delivery, Engineering, Construction, Installation Management, or related fields
• Strong experience within crane services, heavy lifting, installation operations, offshore wind, marine construction, EPC, oil & gas, infrastructure, or other industries involving technically demanding and complex project environments
• Demonstrated understanding of supplier markets, asset-intensive services, execution methodologies, commercial models, and operational challenges associated with large-scale projects
• Experience shaping category strategies, commercial strategies, supplier engagement models, business partnerships, or strategic initiatives within complex international organizations.
• Proven ability to influence senior stakeholders and work effectively across global, regional, and cross-functional organizations
• Strong analytical and business acumen, with the ability to convert market intelligence into actionable strategies and measurable business outcomes
• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Engineering, Business, Supply Chain Management, Economics, or a related discipline

Competencies

• Strong understanding of crane services, heavy lift markets, installation methodologies, and supplier business models
• Ability to translate market knowledge into effective category strategies and sustainable competitive advantage
• Strategic thinker with a strong commercial mindset and a structured, data-driven approach to decision making
• Strong analytical, negotiation, communication, and influencing capabilities
• Ability to establish credibility with technical, operational, commercial, and executive stakeholders
• Proven capability to lead cross-functional initiatives and create alignment in complex matrix organizations
• Results-oriented professional with a collaborative mindset and a passion for building long-term business partnerships

What we offer

We offer an exciting position with great development opportunities in an inspiring environment at the world's number one wind turbine producer. We value initiative, responsibility, and accuracy. You will become part of an international environment with a commitment to sustainability and safety and you will work among colleagues that take care of each other.

Additional information

Primary work location: Aarhus, DK.
Office present: min 3 days per week
This position requires approximately 50 days of global travel per year.
Applications are reviewed on an ongoing basis, however, please note we do amend or withdraw our jobs and reserve the right to do so at any time, including prior to the advertised closing date.

Our commitment to a fair hiring.

At Vestas, we evaluate all candidates solely based on their professional experience, education, and relevant skills. To support a fair recruitment process, we kindly ask that you remove any photos, dates of birth or graduation, gender pronouns, marital status, or other personal information not relevant to the role before submitting your CV/resume. Your CV/resume should focus on your professional and educational background, along with the necessary contact details (email and phone number). We train our hiring teams in inclusive evaluation and regularly review process outcomes to ensure fairness.

DEIB Statement

At Vestas, we recognize the value of diversity, equity, and inclusion in driving innovation and success. We strongly encourage individuals from all backgrounds to apply, particularly those who may hesitate due to their identity or feel they do not meet every criterion. As our CEO states, "Expertise and talent come in many forms, and a diverse workforce enhances our ability to think differently and solve the complex challenges of our industry". Your unique perspective is what will help us powering the solution for a sustainable, green energy future.

About Vestas

Vestas is the energy industry’s global partner on sustainable energy solutions. We are specialised in designing, manufacturing, installing, and servicing wind turbines, both onshore and offshore.
Across the globe, we have installed more wind power than anyone else. We consider ourselves pioneers within the industry, as we continuously aim to design new solutions and technologies to create a more sustainable future for all of us. With more than 200 GW of wind power installed worldwide and 40+ years of experience in wind energy, we have an unmatched track record demonstrating our expertise within the field.
With 39,000 employees globally, we are a diverse team united by a common goal: to power the solution - today, tomorrow, and far into the future.
Vestas promotes a diverse workforce which embraces all social identities and is free of any discrimination. We commit to create and sustain an environment that acknowledges and harvests different experiences, skills, and perspectives. We also aim to give everyone equal access to opportunity.
To learn more about our company and life at Vestas, we invite you to visit our website at www.vestas.com and follow us on our social media channels. We also encourage you to join our Talent Universe to receive notifications on new and relevant postings.