Category Manager - Sif Netherlands B.V.

As a Category Manager Steel, you are part of the Procurement department. You are responsible for purchasing steel packages. In the tender phase, you are an essential link between Sales, Estimating, Engineering, and the Supply Chain, in the project phase between the project manager and the Supply Chain. You are familiar with the terms and conditions that are agreed upon in contracts with customers and ensure that these are properly passed on and adhered to in supplier contracts. This prevents financial risks and minimizes disruptions in production. You actively contribute to the creation and implementation of strategic procurement processes and the Procurement improvement agenda. You report directly to the Procurement Manager but work closely with the Estimating & Tendering and project management team.

Your tasks and responsibilities include:

• Proactively thinking and switching regarding customer contract requirements;
• Participating in How Bid meetings of the Sales team;
• Developing and maintaining relationships with key suppliers and strategic partnerships;
• Coordinating the procurement process with internal stakeholders;
• Setting up and executing quotation trajectories for various ongoing tenders;
• Determining long-term supply base strategy and possibly sourcing alternatives;
• Monitoring market developments and adjusting the strategy accordingly;
• Informing Sif's Management team about the progress of partnerships and market developments;
• Developing ESG targets and technology roadmaps with partners;
• Organizing and managing monthly ORM, quarterly BRMs, and TMM (top management meetings);
• Preparing contracting with various key suppliers;
• Closing supplier contracts in collaboration with the Legal department;
• Managing contracts for ongoing projects;
• Developing and executing cost-saving and value-adding initiatives;
• Agreeing, managing, and maintaining framework contracts with preferred suppliers;
• Making strategic recommendations based on market analysis data.

Sif, founded in 1948 by Jan Jacob Schmeitz, has a rich legacy as a family business specializing in the production of tubular steel structures, including pressure vessels. Our pride lies in our history, and our 75 years of accumulated experience positions us as a trailblazer in the industry.

Currently, our primary focus is on delivering steel monopile tubes for offshore wind farms. With a workforce of 600 skilled individuals, both men and women, we operate from two production facilities in the Netherlands: Roermond and the Second Maasvlakte in Rotterdam. Since May 2016, Sif has been listed on the stock exchange, showcasing our commitment to growth and innovation in the market.

Wind energy is the future, and offshore wind turbines are proving to be more lucrative than their onshore counterparts. Below sea level lies a piece of technical ingenuity — the steel foundation beneath a wind turbine boasting impressive dimensions. These tubes can reach up to 120 meters in length with an average diameter ranging from 9 to 11 meters. From engineering to rolling and welding, creating such colossal steel tubes requires extensive technical knowledge and expertise. It's a testament to strong teamwork. Together, we manufacture around 200 tubes annually. Each foundation is uniquely designed, weighing an average of 1500 tons, depending on its position at sea.

Sif is a strong company with growth ambitions, pride, and craftsmanship where there is ample opportunity to demonstrate your entrepreneurship. You get a lot of responsibility and room for your initiative. Sif is an organization with an informal culture and motivated colleagues where you get the chance to develop yourself further. Moreover, Sif is a financially very healthy company with a well-filled order book. Sif offers you a challenging job in an innovative and technological environment where you have a significant influence on the organization's procurement strategy. Furthermore, Sif offers:

• Excellent employment conditions depending on experience and expertise;
• 25 vacation days plus 13 ADV days;
• A work-from-home policy where you can work from home one day a week;
• A superior pension scheme with a better premium distribution than usually in the CAO Metal and Technology.

You are ambitious and have the potential to grow into a leadership position at Sif in the future. In this role, it's essential that you work proactively. You have an open attitude and aren't afraid to ask questions to get the right information to do your job well. Additionally, you are process-oriented; you oversee the purchasing process, which you guide optimally and standardize where necessary. Due to your communicative and social skills, you are a valued relationship builder with both internal and external stakeholders. You have a practical and pragmatic approach and enjoy working in a team, both within procurement, with tenders and projects, and with colleagues from other departments. Lastly, you have strong contractual knowledge and a 'can do' mentality. What do you bring?

• Master's degree level of education and thinking;
• At least 5 years of experience in a similar role in a technical/industrial environment;
• Knowledge and experience in purchasing steel is a plus;
• Excellent command of the Dutch and English language;
• Commercial mindset with a technical affinity;
• Willingness to travel several times a year (intercontinental);
• Knowledge of purchasing systems/affinity with IT systems is a plus;
• Contractual knowledge and skills;
• The terms 'In control' and 'predictability' apply to you;
• Focus on risk management.