Category Manager

Husqvarna AB; Nedre Tuntorp; On-site; SEK 600,000 - 800,000; Full time

Job summary

Husqvarna AB is seeking a Category Manager for their Forest & Garden Division. The role involves developing and applying business strategy for accessories, focusing on quality, cost efficiency, and sustainability. You will manage relations with suppliers and ensure targets are met while fostering collaboration for innovation.

Ideal candidates possess a Bachelor's degree, at least 3 years of purchasing experience, and strong negotiation skills. This position offers growth opportunities within the company and requires leadership and strategic thinking capabilities.

Qualifications

• Minimum 3 years of purchasing experience, preferably in category management.
• Experience in the manufacturing industry is preferred.
• Fluency in English is required.

Responsibilities

• Responsible for all commercial relations with suppliers.
• Create long-term strategies for optimized value delivery.
• Manage sourcing projects and lead negotiations.

Skills

Purchasing experience

Strategic sourcing

Negotiation skills

Cross-functional collaboration

Analytical skills

Education

Bachelor of Science

MBA or Master of Science in Engineering

Job description

The sourcing organization at Husqvarna Forest & Garden Division is divided into several functions and categories, in order to secure quality, delivery, cost efficiency and sustainability throughout the supply chain. The Sourcing team is dedicated to deliver on our full range of business targets and to provide a profound base for our teams driving these objectives together with over 1000 suppliers and are guided by the principles of Strategic, Collaborative, and Professional. One of the key functions within Sourcing is category management and related commercial relationships with suppliers. Our task is to ensure that the greatest value is provided to the organization´s internal customers and thereby positively affecting the overall business result.

About the role

As Category Manager you are part of a highly motivated team of Category Managers and Operational Buyers and you report to the Sourcing Director Powertrain Categories. You will be overall responsible for the sourcing of accessories to Husqvarna Forest & Garden. This specific role will be responsible for accessories to robotics & wheeled portfolio. The accessories business is a highly strategic and profitable part of Husqvarna’s business offering. Your primary responsibility is to develop and apply business strategy and relationship management, deliver value in terms of quality, delivery, cost efficiency, innovation and sustainability for your categories during the full product life cycle. You will face a broad role with heavy responsibilities, but also a good base for future growth within the company.

Your main tasks

• Be ultimately responsible for all commercial relations with the suppliers within your categories and secure set targets of cost, quality, delivery and sustainability.
• Create long term strategies, well anchored with internal stakeholders, for your categories to deliver optimized value and drive implementation of the same.
• Develop and maintain vendor agreements.
• Manage sourcing projects and lead negotiations of commercial terms and conditions.
• Build and maintain mutually beneficial relations with suppliers in order to improve supplier performance and collaboration, not only to decrease costs and eliminate waste but also to utilize the suppliers full potential in areas such as product development and innovation.
• Build and maintain strong internal relations within sourcing functions such as Project Sourcing, Supplier Quality Assurance and Supplier Development but also with other internal stakeholders such as R&D, Product Management & Logistics.
• Set up and manage the annual budget of cost saving activities and negotiations.

Location and work setup

This role is based in Huskvarna. Occasional travel within service is expected, approximately 10 days per year.

About you

To succeed in this role, we expect you have:

• Bachelor of Science/Advantage: MBA or Master of Science in Engineering or relevant experience
• Minimum 3 years of purchasing experience, preferably in category management positions.
• Extensive technical experience and working in a Manufacturing industry are also preferred for this position as well as knowledge of strategic sourcing methodologies, fact-based negotiation and cross-functional team collaboration.
• Experience of working in an international environment.
• Fluent in English

You also demonstrate a strong understanding of both internal and external customer service, complemented by exceptional communication abilities that encompass strategic thinking, diplomatic finesse, social competence, and negotiation skills.

Further it is of importance that you have strong influencing skills to promote Category Strategies to Business Partners, Experience and insights in the Purchasing environment and strong planning, analytical and organizing abilities.

Personality in combination with relevant education, work experience and passion for working in sourcing will be important in order to succeed in this role.