Category Buyer

Job Description:

Category Buyer

Join Our Team as a Category Buyer

Join our Procurement organization as a Category Buyer and play a key role in managing strategic sourcing activities across a defined supplier category within a manufacturing environment. This position offers the opportunity to drive supplier performance, lead negotiations, deliver cost savings projects, and support business continuity by ensuring material availability for our operations.

The category assignment may vary depending on business needs and could include areas such as plastics, metal-mechanical components, electronic components, packaging, or other direct materials categories.

This is an excellent opportunity for procurement professionals who enjoy working cross-functionally, building supplier partnerships, and creating value through strategic sourcing initiatives.

What will you do?

Manage a supplier portfolio within an assigned purchasing category and cluster.

Develop and maintain strong relationships with suppliers to ensure performance, quality, delivery, and cost competitiveness.

Lead supplier negotiations, including pricing agreements, contracts, commercial terms, and service conditions.

Maintain and update pricing agreements and supplier cost structures.

Identify and execute cost reduction and productivity projects aligned with business objectives.

Support value engineering and product improvement initiatives in partnership with Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality, and Supply Chain teams.

Monitor supplier performance and implement corrective actions when necessary.

Manage supplier escalations and support material shortage situations to minimize operational impact.

Partner with Planning, Manufacturing, and Supply Chain teams to ensure material availability and continuity of supply.

Conduct market analysis and benchmarking activities to identify sourcing opportunities and mitigate risks.

Drive continuous improvement initiatives across the supply base and procurement processes.

Support supplier capacity reviews, risk assessments, and business continuity plans.

What are the key skills we are looking for?

Category Management

Strategic Sourcing

Supplier Relationship Management

Procurement Negotiations

Cost Analysis and Cost Reduction

Contract and Commercial Management

Supply Chain and Manufacturing Procurement

Material Shortage Escalation Management

Cross-Functional Collaboration

Problem Solving and Decision Making

Continuous Improvement

Influencing and Stakeholder Management

What qualifications will make you successful?

Bachelor's degree in Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Management Engineering (IMA), Engineering Management (EMI), Chemical Engineering, Business Administration, Supply Chain, or a related field.

4–5 years of experience in Procurement, Strategic Sourcing, Purchasing, or Category Management within a manufacturing environment.

Experience managing supplier relationships and commercial negotiations.

Strong understanding of direct material procurement and manufacturing supply chains.

Experience leading cost reduction initiatives and productivity projects.

Knowledge of category management methodologies is preferred.

Experience supporting supplier escalations, supply shortages, and material availability challenges.

Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.

Advanced English proficiency required, with the ability to participate in negotiations, supplier meetings, and global business discussions.

Excellent communication, stakeholder management, and influencing skills.

Work Arrangement

Hybrid schedule: 2 days on-site and 3 days working from home.

Monday through Friday.

Why Join Us?

This role offers exposure to global suppliers, cross-functional collaboration, strategic decision-making, and the opportunity to directly influence business performance through sourcing strategies, supplier development, cost optimization, and supply continuity. You'll be part of a dynamic procurement team that plays a critical role in supporting manufacturing excellence and business growth.

(External) English Qualifications:

What's in it for me?

High-impact role where your decisions directly influence business outcomes

Opportunity to lead strategic initiatives and drive meaningful change

Collaborative culture that values expertise and invests in your development

Autonomy to manage priorities and shape your work approach

Bring your procurement expertise to a team that's ready to welcome you - apply today!

Local Benefits (English):

Rewards designed for you

Our Total Rewards is our way of saying: We see you and we value you. It’s more than just pay and benefits - it’s a meaningful investment in you. It is designed to help you perform, grow, feel safe, and elevate your potential. The package helps you care for yourself and your family, plan your future, grow your skills and career, collaborate in an inclusive workplace, and contribute to your community. At Schneider Electric, we’re here for what matters most to you. Discover more at our Career Page.

Country-specific programs and initiatives may be available.

(External) English Company Boiler Plate:

Looking to make an IMPACT with your career?

When you are thinking about joining a new team, culture matters. At Schneider Electric, our values and behaviors are the foundation for creating a great culture to support business success. We believe that our IMPACT values – Inclusion, Mastery, Purpose, Action, Curiosity, Teamwork – starts with us.

IMPACT is also your invitation to join Schneider Electric where you can contribute to turning sustainability ambition into actions, no matter what role you play. It is a call to connect your career with the ambition of achieving a more resilient, efficient, and sustainable world.

We are looking for IMPACT Makers; exceptional people who turn sustainability ambitions into actions at the intersection of automation, electrification, and digitization. We celebrate IMPACT Makers and believe everyone has the potential to be one.

Become an IMPACT Maker with Schneider Electric – apply today!

€40 billion global revenue

+9% organic growth

150 000+ employees in 100+ countries

You must submit an online application to be considered for any position with us. This position will be posted until filled.

Schneider Electric aspires to be the most inclusive and caring company in the world, by providing equitable opportunities to everyone, everywhere, and ensuring all employees feel uniquely valued and safe to contribute their best. We mirror the diversity of the communities in which we operate, and ‘inclusion’ is one of our core values. We believe our differences make us stronger as a company and as individuals and we are committed to championing inclusivity in everything we do.

At Schneider Electric, we uphold the highest standards of ethics and compliance, and we believe that trust is a foundational value. Our Trust Charter is our Code of Conduct and demonstrates our commitment to ethics, safety, sustainability, quality and cybersecurity, underpinning every aspect of our business and our willingness to behave and respond respectfully and in good faith to all our stakeholders. You can find out more about our Trust Charter here