Category Manager

Job Description

Segment Procurement in Danfoss Climate Solutions is looking for an experienced and self-driven Category Manager with a strategic mindset to join our North American Team. Our ambition is to support the Danfoss growth journey by providing strategic procurement business insights to our matrix procurement colleagues and businesses. 

If you are passionate about setting new directions, creating strategies and developing relationships with internal stakeholders and suppliers, this could be a truly exciting opportunity for you.

As our new Category Manager, you will be part of developing and implementing the Global Category Strategies for Mechanical Categories and Raw Material while developing strong relations with key internal and external stakeholders. You will be entrusted with the responsibility for managing a selected and small number of high spend suppliers that has high attention from Danfoss top management.

Job Responsibilities

Responsibilities for this position include, but are not limited to, the following.

• This position will give you an exciting growth opportunity as you take on the challenge and define, implement, develop and coordinate category strategy activities in North America. Among this, you will also: 

• Lead negotiations of nominated suppliers
• Coordinate strategical activities globally of defined suppliers
• Accelerate cost-down impact from suppliers driving and executing a sustainable savings pipeline across all levers while utilizing cross-functional teams
• Develop and implement supplier strategy for all suppliers within responsibility
• Actively research trends within technology incl. how other industries impact the sub-category e.g. supply, pricing, investments etc.
• Take full and proactive responsibility for supplier performance 
• Lead an effective supplier relationship management acting as the Danfoss key account and supplier development activities
• Understand Danfoss business needs and the commodity market impacts  
• Must be willing to travel 10-30 days annually (mostly to domestic to visit suppliers and stakeholders)

Background & Skills

At Danfoss, we believe that a diverse and inclusive workplace fosters creativity, innovation, and a broader perspective in decision-making. When you consider this job posting, do you feel like your profile is not a perfect match? Numerous studies have found that women and people of color are more likely to apply only when they meet all requirements listed in the job posting. Even if you do not check all the boxes, we encourage you to apply anyway. We are curious to find out how you can bring new insights to the role or to Danfoss as an organization.

The ideal candidate possesses these skills. 

• 5+ years of category management experience in Mechanical Categories while also having a strong commercial understanding.
• Must have solid direct category management experience from an international company – ideally managing high spend suppliers.
• A Bachelor’s degree with a Business or an Engineering focus, Master’s degree preferred.
• Ability to conduct RFQs with existing and potential suppliers.
• Business talent and a personal drive, combined with a strong appetite for keeping momentum on strategic development of your categories.  
• Look for new ways of managing multiple suppliers and stakeholders, using your diplomatic, negotiation and networking skills without losing people on the way. A Proven track record of adding value with your ability to navigate safely in complex relations, while working both independently and within cross-functional teams.
• Must be proactive with a can-do attitude with high commitment to results and people relations. 

Employee Benefits

We are excited to offer you the following benefits with your employment:

• Bonus system
• Paid vacation
• Flexible working hours
• Personal insurance
• Communication package
• Opportunity to join Employee Resource Groups
• State of the art virtual work environment

This list does not promise or guarantee any particular benefit or specific action. They may depend on country or contract specifics and are subject to change at any time without prior notice.

Danfoss – Engineering Tomorrow

At Danfoss, we are engineering solutions that allow the world to use resources in smarter ways - driving the sustainable transformation of tomorrow. No transformation has ever been started without a group of passionate, dedicated and empowered people. We believe that innovation and great results are driven by the right mix of people with diverse backgrounds, personalities, skills, and perspectives, reflecting the world in which we do business. To make sure the mix of people works, we strive to create an inclusive work environment where people of all backgrounds are treated equally, respected, and valued for who they are. It is a strong priority within Danfoss to improve the health, working environment and safety of our employees.

Following our founder’s mindset “action speaks louder than words”, we set ourselves ambitious targets to protect the environment by embarking on a plan to become CO2 neutral latest by 2030.

Danfoss is an EO employer and VEVRAA Federal Contractor. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or other protected category.