Global Indirect Procurement Category Manager- Logistics

Job Posting Title

Global Indirect Procurement Category Manager- Logistics

The challenge

An exciting opportunity has arisen to contribute to Haier Europe. The Company is on a journey to achieve ambitious growth and leadership objectives in the region, and we are seeking someone passionate, proactive, self-driven, and motivated to join a team of open-minded individuals. We are looking for someone who embodies the Company’s core behaviors, based on our Own It model: Zero Distance, Agility, Entrepreneurship, Ecosystem and Build Trust. A true change agent who acts with integrity, collaborates across boundaries, adapts quickly, takes initiative and keeps users at the center — fostering an open, innovative, and high-performing environment.

What you will do

We are seeking a highly experienced and strategic Global Category Manager – Logistics Procurement with 10–15 years of experience to lead logistics sourcing activities within complex manufacturing and distribution environments, preferably in the white goods industry.
This role is responsible for defining and executing global procurement strategies across inbound and outbound logistics networks in a highly dynamic and international environment.
The ideal candidate combines strong strategic procurement capabilities with deep expertise in industrial supply chains, transportation markets, supplier management, logistics transformation, and crisis management.

Key Responsibilities

• Define and implement the procurement strategy for logistics categories, including inbound (components) and outbound (finished goods) flows

• Lead global sourcing initiatives across road, sea, air freight, warehousing, and distribution categories

• Optimize global transportation networks to improve cost efficiency, service levels, and operational performance

• Negotiate strategic contracts with logistics service providers (3PLs, carriers, freight forwarders)

• Drive continuous cost improvement initiatives while safeguarding service levels and customer satisfaction

• Partner cross-functionally with manufacturing, supply chain, logistics, and commercial teams to support business objectives and operational continuity

• Act as a strategic business partner to supply chain and commercial stakeholders, ensuring alignment between procurement strategy and business objectives

• Drive logistics transformation initiatives through digitalization, automation, and process optimization

• Develop risk mitigation strategies to ensure logistics continuity and supply chain resilience

• Support business continuity and capacity management during seasonal peaks and demand fluctuations

• Define supplier performance frameworks, contractual KPIs, and service level expectations in alignment with business and operational requirements

• Drive supplier performance management through periodic business reviews, benchmarking activities, and competitive sourcing strategies

• Ensure compliance with contractual, regulatory, and corporate governance requirements across logistics procurement activities

• Provide strategic leadership to the logistics procurement organization, fostering capability development and a performance-driven culture

What you need to succeed

Must have

• Strong know-how of international transportation and warehousing procurement processes, including tender management, supplier selection, and cost optimization, preferably within the white goods industry

• Strong knowledge of European and/or global transport markets

• Proven track record in leading complex international negotiations, strategic sourcing initiatives, and cost optimization programs within logistics procurement

• Strong understanding of manufacturing, inbound, and distribution network dynamics within complex industrial environments

• Proven experience in managing global logistics disruptions and transportation crises, with the ability to react quickly and ensure business continuity in highly dynamic environments

Education: Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Supply Chain, Engineering, or related field

Professional experience: 10–15 years of procurement experience, with a strong focus on logistics in manufacturing or consumer goods industries

Language: Fluent in Italian & English (additional languages are a plus)

Soft & Technical Skills

• Excellent stakeholder management and cross-functional collaboration skills

• Strong negotiation, supplier management, and influencing capabilities in complex international environments

• Ability to drive stakeholder alignment across functions, regions, and matrix organizations

• Leadership, team development, and organizational capability building

• Resilience and ability to manage complexity in fast-paced business environments

• Strategic logistics procurement and category management expertise

• Deep understanding of complex manufacturing and white goods supply chain dynamics

• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills  

Nice to have

• Experience operating in complex international and matrix organizations with multi-regional stakeholder management

• Exposure to global manufacturing and distribution environments with high operational complexity

• Familiarity with ERP and procurement tools (e.g., SAP, Ariba)

• Experience managing large-scale international logistics tenders and supplier negotiations across multiple regions

• Ability to operate effectively in fast-paced and continuously evolving business environments

Employment Type: Permanent Contract; Full-Time

National Collective Bargaining Agreement (CCNL): Metalmeccanici Privati

Minimum Gross Annual Salary: € 50.000

The position includes access to an individual or collective variable incentive scheme based on the achievement of predefined performance objectives (KPIs); alternatively, any additional variable compensation components or benefits will be governed by the applicable company policies.

Benefits:

- Free canteen
- Smart working

The Company may offer a different compensation package than the one indicated above, based on objective criteria identified during the selection process (such as experience, skills or changes in the scope and responsibilities of the role). Any such variation is in no way based on previous salary levels or on personal or discriminatory factors.

All decisions are made in compliance with the principle of equal pay, the applicable National Collective Bargaining Agreement (CCNL) and EU Directive 2023/970, as well as the relevant national implementing legislation.

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Haier Europe is an Equal Opportunity Employer.  Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, or other characteristics protected by law.