Global Category Manager - CAPEX Procurement

(CHL) Ecolab; Spain; On-site; EUR 90,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Ecolab is seeking a Global Category Manager for CAPEX Procurement to develop and execute global category strategies across indirect spend, including equipment, services and systems. The role delivers value through cost optimization, working capital improvement, and TCO enhancements while coordinating with regional teams and senior stakeholders.

The position involves leading governance, supplier relationships, and strategic sourcing initiatives to achieve measurable category performance and

Responsibilities

• Develop and own global category strategies for Indirect Procurement CAPEX categories.
• Lead strategic sourcing initiatives, including RFPs, e-auctions, and negotiations.
• Establish supplier governance, performance metrics and risk mitigation.
• Drive value, savings, working capital improvement and total cost of ownership optimization.

Job description

Global Category Manager - CAPEX Procurement

Reporting to the Global Procurement Senior Manager, the Global Category Manager, Indirect Procurement CAPEX is accountable for developing and executing global category strategies across an assigned portfolio of indirect spend: CAPEX categories such as Process & Manufacturing equipment, Mechanical equipment, Engineering services, Water & Wastewater Equipment, Storage & Tank Systems, representing approximately $350M to $500M annually.

The role is responsible for delivering sustainable business value through cost optimization, working capital improvement, demand management, supplier performance, innovation, risk mitigation and total cost of ownership optimization, while ensuring continuity of supply and alignment with business priorities. As a global procurement Manager, the role provides direction to geographically dispersed teams, influences senior stakeholders across functions and regions, develops strategic supplier relationships, and establishes the governance and performance routines required to deliver category objectives consistently.

Key Responsibilities

1. Global Category Strategy & Value Creation

Develop and own global category strategies and multi-year value roadmaps for assigned Indirect Procurement categories.

Translate business requirements, spend analytics, market intelligence and supplier capabilities into clear category strategies, priorities and measurable objectives.

Aggregate global and regional data, identify opportunities and challenges, and establish ambitious category goals aligned with Procurement and business objectives.

Lead global go-to-market and strategic sourcing initiatives, including RFPs, e-auctions, competitive bidding and complex commercial negotiations.

Deliver measurable value through cost savings, cost avoidance, working capital improvement, demand management, specification optimization and total cost of ownership improvements.

Identify opportunities for supplier and spend consolidation, demand optimization and improved commercial models in partnership with Procurement Business Partners and business stakeholders.

Leverage market intelligence and supplier capabilities to identify innovation and competitive-advantage opportunities.

Drive and deploy category strategies by leveraging global sourcing opportunities, digital tools, analytics and emerging technologies, including AI-enabled procurement solutions.

Support strategic global initiatives and continuously improve category performance, processes and ways of working.

2. Strategic Supplier Management, Negotiations & Risk

Build and maintain strong relationships with key global and strategic suppliers.

Lead complex global negotiations and engage with senior supplier executives to achieve optimal commercial terms, service levels, innovation and long-term value.

Establish appropriate Supplier Relationship Management (SRM) models for strategic suppliers.

Monitor supplier performance and ensure delivery against contractual, commercial and operational expectations.

Proactively manage supplier and category risks, including supplier concentration, business continuity and critical service dependencies.

Develop appropriate contingency and risk-mitigation strategies for business-critical suppliers and services.

Link knowledge of market trends with supplier capabilities to identify new opportunities and strengthen the organization's competitive position.

Ensure compliance with applicable regulations, standards, policies, contractual requirements and Procurement governance.

3. Global Value Governance & Performance Management

Establish and lead global category governance and routines, including:

• Category Strategy Reviews
• Supplier Relationship Management
• Supplier Performance Management
• Savings and Value Reviews
• Best-Practice Sharing
• Risk and Compliance Reviews

Partner with Global/Corporate Finance to ensure alignment with savings methodologies and consistent implementation of value calculation, validation and reporting.

Establish clear category KPIs and performance measures and ensure effective tracking of value delivery.

Drive accountability for category performance and measurable P&L and business impact in support of overall organizational objectives.

Ensure visibility and transparency of category performance, risks, opportunities and value delivery.

Drive consistency in global processes, methodologies and governance while enabling appropriate regional execution.

Identify and implement opportunities for continuous improvement in category management and Procurement performance.

4. Executive Stakeholder Management & Business Partnership

Build trusted relationships with executive, divisional, functional and regional stakeholders.

Act as a strategic Procurement partner by understanding business priorities and translating them into effective category and supplier strategies.

Communicate category strategies, market developments, supplier risks, value opportunities and recommend