Senior Category Procurement Manager - Capex (Employed or freelance)

📋 Tasks and responsibilities

The procurement team defines and deploys procurement strategies across an investment project portfolio. In this role, you support the development and execution of the category strategy across Capex projects within your assigned portfolio. This includes large-scale engineering, construction, and equipment contracting programs in an international environment, with a focus on optimizing Total Cost of Ownership (TCO), mitigating risk, and driving sourcing excellence.

• Identify and analyze the full project pipeline within the assigned category and perform risk and opportunity assessments.
• Carry out internal analyses of spend, scope, and incumbent suppliers/contractors as input for the category strategy.
• Build a strong understanding of the global market landscape and translate market intelligence into the category strategy.
• Collaborate closely with Engineering and category team members to identify standardization opportunities that reduce TCO and mitigate risks.
• Identify and evaluate low-cost-country sourcing opportunities in alignment with Engineering.
• Develop, present, and secure approval for the category strategy through the relevant governance bodies.
• Define and track category milestones and ensure alignment with project procurement strategies.
• Optimize sourcing through advanced commercial and negotiation tactics.
• Work closely with Project Procurement Managers to translate the category strategy into individual project procurement activities.
• Lead source-to-contract processes for major contracts within the category, including negotiation and contract management.
• Act as the single point of contact for strategic suppliers/contractors and lead Supplier Relationship Management (SRM) activities.
• Proactively manage supply, financial, and operational risks.
• Support expediting and follow-up activities, and participate in claim management when required.
• Ensure compliance with internal procurement processes, templates, and standards.
• Support internal and external audits.
• Act as a change ambassador for procurement excellence and category transformation.
• Report category progress against a defined roadmap and milestone plan.

Location

• Main site can be Hoboken or Olen.
• Presence at the other site may be requested on a regular basis.
• A minimum onsite presence of 3 days per week is mandatory; more onsite presence is required during onboarding.
• Very limited international travel may be required.

📝Your profile

Technical profile requirements

• University degree in Engineering, Economics, or equivalent.
• Minimum 5 years of experience as a Category Procurement Manager in an international industrial environment.
• Minimum 7 years of general procurement experience.
• Strong understanding of Capex procurement, industrial contracting, and large-scale project environments.
• Excellent negotiation and contracting skills.
• Strong analytical capabilities, including spend analysis and market analysis.
• Advanced knowledge of MS Office and basic familiarity with procurement tools/platforms such as Ariba and SAP.
• Ability to manage complex supplier networks and global supply markets.

Non-Technical Profile Requirements

• Strong organizational and planning skills.
• Open-minded, diplomatic, and collaborative team player.
• Autonomous, proactive, and result-driven mindset.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to influence at multiple levels.
• Capable of working in an international matrix organization.
• Flexible and able to operate in dynamic and ambiguous environments.
• Strong problem-solving mindset.
• Demonstrated ability to lead multidisciplinary teams without direct authority.
• Solid change-management mindset.

Methodology / Certification Requirements

• Procurement certification such as CIPS, CPM, or CPSM is a strong plus.
• Project management certification such as PRINCE2 or PMP is a plus.

Language Proficiencies

• Fluent written and spoken English is mandatory.
• Additional languages are an asset depending on project geography.

💼 Offer

You will be part of a growing Belgian SME where initiative and personal development are encouraged. We will provide you with an enjoyable work environment with fun colleagues. We will work out a career plan with you, with attention and a budget for extra education/certification. You can count on an attractive salary, supplemented with extra-legal benefits, including a company car.
(Freelance is also possible)