Global Category Manager - Supply Chain Procurement

(CHL) Ecolab; Spain; On-site; EUR 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Ecolab is seeking a Global Category Manager, Indirect Procurement Supply Chain to lead global category strategies across indirect spend, including Waste Management, Utilities, MRO, and more, with a focus on cost optimization and working capital improvement.

You will guide geographically dispersed teams, influence senior stakeholders, and build strategic supplier relationships to deliver category objectives.

Responsibilities

• Develop and own global category strategies and multi-year value roadmaps for Indirect Procurement.
• Translate business requirements, spend analytics, market intelligence and supplier capabilities into clear category strategies and objectives.
• Lead global go-to-market and strategic sourcing initiatives (RFPs, e-auctions, negotiations).
• Deliver measurable value through cost savings, working capital improvement, and total cost of ownership improvements.
• Establish SRM models, monitor supplier performance and manage category risk with continuity plans.
• Drive category governance, KPI tracking and value reporting with Global/Corporate Finance.
• Partner with executives and regional stakeholders to align category strategies with business priorities.

Skills

Strategic category management

Strategic supplier management

Negotiations & vendor management

Risk management & compliance

Stakeholder management

Data analytics & market intelligence

Digital tools & analytics

AI-enabled procurement

Tools

AI-enabled procurement

Analytics tools

Digital procurement tools

Job description

Reporting to the Global Procurement Senior Manager category, the Global Category Manager, Indirect Procurement Supply Chain is accountable for developing and executing global category strategies across an assigned portfolio of indirect spend: Waste Management, Utilities, MRO, Laboratory supplies, Material Handling Equipment..., representing approximately in total $400M 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

• o Category Strategy Reviews
• o Supplier Relationship Management
• o Supplier Performance Management
• o Savings and Value Reviews
• o Best‑Practice Sharing
• o 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 recommendations effectively to senior leadership.

Influence global and regional stakeholders to build alignme