Category Manager

Rotterdam Innovation City; Delft; On-site; EUR 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Commuting allowance

Pension plan

30 days holiday

Training and certifications

Equipment provided

International team

Job summary

Robin Radar is seeking a highly skilled procurement specialist to lead strategic sourcing for mechatronics and related components. You will partner with design and engineering teams early in the product life cycle to optimize manufacturability and costs. Strong ERP experience and supplier management are essential.

The role emphasizes rapid growth support, robust supplier networks, and rigorous contract governance within international supply chains.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in SCM, Mechatronics, or Mechanical Engineering.
• 5+ years in strategic procurement in high-tech manufacturing.
• Experience with RFQ processes and long-term framework contracts.
• Experience with ERP systems like Odoo or SAP.

Responsibilities

• Own and execute sourcing strategies for mechatronics, precision metals, and assemblies.
• Collaborate with Mechanical and Electromechanical Engineers on early design phases (DFM).
• Develop supplier relationships and implement SLAs to monitor OTIF and quality metrics.
• Identify and mitigate material shortages and single-source risks.
• Lead Make vs Buy analyses and draft Statements of Work with IP protections.
• Negotiate framework contracts and manage BOM data in SAP or Odoo.

Skills

Strategic procurement

Category management

RFQ processes

Negotiation

Multilingual: English

Dutch or German language

Education

Bachelor's or Master's in SCM/Mechatronics/Mechanical Engineering

Tools

Odoo

SAP

Job description

Bridge engineering and supply chain. Keep our high-tech mechatronics scaled – so every radar delivers top performance.

What You'll Do

• Sourcing strategy and execution: Own and execute sourcing strategies for mechatronics, precision metals, and electromechanical assemblies. Secure reliable supplier capacity to back our rapid growth.
• Early design and DFM collaboration: Partner with Mechanical and Electromechanical Engineers during early design phases. Advise directly on Design-for-Manufacturing, lead times, and realistic cost structures.
• Supplier development and SLAs: Build deep, trust-based relationships with key global suppliers and European partners. Implement SLAs to monitor OTIF and quality metrics constantly.
• Risk mitigation and bottlenecks: Identify potential material shortages and single-source risks well in advance. Take action to protect the production line from unexpected downtime.
• Make vs Buy and outsourcing: Lead Make vs Buy analyses for complex mechatronic sub-assemblies. Draft clear Statements of Work and manage knowledge transfer roadmaps with robust IP protection.
• Commercial negotiation and ERP data: Negotiate framework contracts, pricing structures, and tooling agreements to lower Total Cost of Ownership. Maintain clean BOM configurations, lead times, and pricing inside SAP or Odoo.

What You Bring

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Supply Chain Management, Mechanical Engineering, or Mechatronics
• 5+ years of strategic procurement or category management experience in high-tech manufacturing
• Strong technical baseline in CNC machining, casting, injection molding, and tolerances
• Proven track record of managing RFQ processes and negotiating long‑term framework contracts
• Hands‑on experience navigating modern ERP platforms like Odoo or SAP
• Professional fluency in written and spoken English
• Fluency or professional proficiency in Dutch or German is a strong asset
• Agility to move fluidly between high‑level strategy and hands‑on supplier escalation
• Occasional availability for international travel to conduct supplier audits and site visits

A Certificate of Conduct (VOG) and a background check are part of our screening process. We appreciate your understanding.

What We Offer

• Working for a Great Place to Work® certified company;
• Comprehensive pension plan;
• Commuting allowance;
• 30 days of paid holiday leave (with the possibility to buy 3 additional days);
• Opportunities to develop your skills even further through training and certifications;
• High quality laptop/desktop, monitor, headphones, and any other equipment necessary for your role;
• An international team of 30+ nationalities, full of high performance colleagues you can exchange experiences with and learn from. As well as having a lot of fun in our social events and Friday drinks!

Robin Radar is a technology leader in tracking and classifying small objects. Our radars and software help prevent bird strikes in aviation, reduce the impact of wind farms on wildlife, and protect critical infrastructure from drone threats. Our work shows up at airports, wind farms, military sites and nature reserves around the world.

We're one of the top 10 fastest‑growing companies in the Netherlands, with a crew of bright minds across 30+ nationalities. Growth doesn't mean we lose the plot – eyes on the skies, feet on the ground. Our values keep us grounded: WE TRUST. WE OWN IT. WE AIM HIGH.

Want to work on next‑level radar tech, solve real problems, and never have to pretend your job has meaning?

You’ll fit right in – we're saving you a seat.