Category Manager – External Contract Manufacturing

Job Description:

The purpose of the Category Manager – External Contract Manufacturing role is to define and execute defined category and sourcing strategies for externally manufactured products across Nobel Biocare’s Business Units.
The role  commercial sourcing activities for assigned Contract Manufacturing and OEM partners, ensuring cost competitiveness, supply reliability, quality, and regulatory compliance under the guidance of the Senior Procurement Manager – Business Units.

Main responsibilities:

Category & Sourcing Strategy Execution

• Responsible for the development, implementation, management, and performance of global category and sourcing strategies for assigned External Contract Manufacturing categories
• Execute category action plans
• Drive external sourcing activities including supplier evaluation, cost competitiveness, capacity assurance, and supply reliability
• Focus on achieving significant cost savings and continuous improvement in procurement processes
• Depending on business needs, the scope may include selected global OEM categories in addition to External Contract Manufacturing

Commercial & Contract Ownership

• RFQs, cost analyses, and commercial negotiations
• Prepare commercial recommendations and contract drafts for review and approval
• Execute approved contracts and pricing agreements
• Apply total cost of ownership thinking in all sourcing and negotiation decisions
• Define, negotiate, and maintain business‑appropriate contracts, e.g., General Supply Agreements, Manufacturing Agreements, Service Agreements, Development Agreements
• Own cost, price, and commercial terms for externally manufactured products within assigned scope

Supplier Management & Performance

• Manage assessment, selection, and development of suppliers to meet cost, quality, delivery, and regulatory requirements
• Act as the primary commercial and operational interface toward assigned suppliers
• Support supplier performance tracking, corrective actions, and improvement plans
• Develop and maintain supplier relationships
• Monitor supply market intelligence and escalate any supplier risks or performance issues

Cross‑Functional Collaboration

• Work in close collaboration with Business Units, Product Management, Operations, Quality, Supplier Quality Assurance, Regulatory, R&D, Product Development, Legal, and Supply Chain
• Support Business Units in achieving KPI objectives in alignment with BU priorities and global procurement strategies and processes
• Support procurement activities for New Product Introduction and external manufacturing transfer projects, ensuring early supplier involvement, cost transparency, and supply readiness

Supplier Governance & Escalation

• Support governance activities for shared suppliers and escalate strategic topics
• Act as operational and commercial lead for assigned suppliers, ensuring aligned execution and clear communication
• Identify and mitigate supply chain and supplier risks impacting Business Units on:
  • Fundamental sourcing model changes (e.g. make/buy decisions, dual‑sourcing strategy)
  • Long‑term capacity commitments and high‑value contractual deviations
• Escalate to the Senior Procurement Manager any major strategic supplier issues with cross Business Unit impact

Governance & Reporting

• Identify and mitigate supplier and supply chain risks impacting Business Units
• Ensure compliance with procurement policies, quality agreements, and regulatory requirements
• Contribute to the development and continuous improvement of procurement policies, procedures, and best practices
• Provide input to global procurement KPI reporting and category performance reviews

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Job Requirements:

Critical Knowledge and Qualifications:

• University degree in supply chain management, engineering, business, or equivalent experience
• 3-6 years of experience as category support / execution in a global context
• Proven experience working with External Contract Manufacturing and/or OEM suppliers, preferably in medical devices or other highly regulated industries
• Strong understanding of procurement principles, sourcing strategies, and contract management
• Experience governing suppliers across multiple business models (Contract Manufacturing / OEM)
• Strong understanding of procurement principles, contract management, and sourcing best practices
• Ability to balance cost, innovation speed, supply risk, and quality trade‑offs at global level
• SAP and Microsoft Office proficiency
• Fluent in English; additional languages are an asset

Critical Skills/technical know-how:

• Strong procurement, negotiation, contracting and cost analysis skills
• Solid understanding of manufacturing processes and industrial supply chains
• Ability to analyze and support decisions on complex trade‑offs between cost, supply risk, quality, and time‑to‑market
• Project management capability in a global matrix organization
• Clear ownership mindset, structured working style, and pragmatic decision‑making
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills across functions and regions
• Financial acumen for budgeting, cost control, and business case evaluation

Critical Experience:

• Contract negotiation, contract management, and supplier governance experience
• Exposure to New Product Introduction and external manufacturing transfer projects
• Successful delivery of cost saving and cost avoidance initiatives
• Experience working in an international, cross‑functional environment

Operating Company:

Nobel Biocare

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