Strategic Sourcing Manager

VAT Vakuumventile AG seeks a Senior Strategic Sourcing Manager in Haag, CH to develop global sourcing strategies for direct materials, manage supplier relationships, and drive cost optimization across international markets.

The company is looking for a senior professional to lead global sourcing strategies for direct materials categories. This role involves partnering with business and operations stakeholders to ensure supply capability and capacity at optimal costs while sustaining the global sourcing operating model.

Responsibilities

• Manage assigned material categories, including capacity planning and knowledge management
• Contribute to global direct material and supply base performance metrics (quality, cost, delivery)
• Represent assigned categories within the organization and provide strategic guidance on market trends, risks, and opportunities
• Achieve category-specific objectives such as cost optimization, supply base improvement, and geographic sourcing footprint adjustments
• Align the direct materials category team with company objectives through bottom-up collaboration
• Serve as an interface between business units and engineering for sourcing activities within the product development process
• Act as a change agent for key stakeholders and drive category sourcing strategies using defined methods and tools
• Manage global supplier relationships within the assigned category perimeter and ensure consistent application of sourcing levers
• Contribute to key sourcing performance indicators

Requirements

• At least five years of experience in strategic and operational sourcing with strong expertise in global category management
• Familiarity with category-specific production techniques and processes
• Understanding of sourcing markets and experience sourcing in Eastern Europe and Asia
• Experience with Best Cost Country strategies and spend relocation activities
• Proficiency in office software, particularly Excel, Word, and PowerPoint
• Background working within complex global organizations
• Experience in machine building, vacuum technology, or semiconductors
• Functional cross-functional or category team management experience
• Strong analytical skills with a risk-based approach and focus on essential facts
• Ability to communicate effectively in German and English, with sensible and empathetic interpersonal skills
• Capacity to deliver results through others, manage multiple tasks, prioritize effectively, and handle stress

Nice to have

• Additional language skills beyond German and English

About the company

VAT Vakuumventile AG operates with a passion for changing the world through vacuum solutions. The company is guided by core values of integrity, teamwork, customer centricity, and innovation. It fosters an inclusive and respectful workplace where employees from all backgrounds are welcomed, and career growth is actively supported within a passionate, international team.

• Driven by integrity, teamwork, customer focus, and innovation
• Inclusive and respectful workplace welcoming diverse backgrounds
• International team environment where employee voices are heard and ideas matter
• Commitment to supporting career growth and development