Category Manager - Travel & External Services

About this job

Are you ready to bring your innovative perspective and creative skills to ASSA ABLOY Opening Solutions? Join our team preferably in Stockholm, Sweden and enjoy a collaborative culture that empowers you to build a career you can be proud of. What would you do as our Category Manager - Travel & External Services The Category Manager is responsible for developing and executing category strategies, driving value creation, improving spend transparency, strengthening governance and delivering measurable business benefits across OS EMEIA and the Entrance Systems Division. The Category Manager will also work closely with stakeholders in all functions and levels across the business to identify sourcing, demand management, collaboration, automation and supplier optimisation opportunities. The position has functional responsibility for category activities throughout the divisions and works collaboratively with local procurement teams and business stakeholders to ensure successful implementation of category strategies and achievement of agreed benefits. The Category Manager will drive procurement excellence across assigned categories while ensuring compliance with procurement policies, supplier governance standards, sustainability requirements and risk management frameworks. The role is expected to contribute directly to SG&A efficiency, operational effectiveness and supplier performance improvements across the division. You will report to the Director & Head of Indirect Procurement EMEIA You would also: Develop and execute category strategies for Travel & External Services, including strategic sourcing, supplier optimization, category governance, and long-term roadmaps aligned with business goals. Drive value creation through cost savings, cost avoidance, supplier consolidation, contract negotiations, process improvements, automation, simplification, and demand reduction initiatives. Analyze spend, supplier performance, contracts, and market trends to identify opportunities, maintain transparency, support data-driven decision-making, and build a forward-looking pipeline of sourcing initiatives. Build strong cross-functional partnerships with stakeholders across Finance, HR, IT, Legal, Operations, and business leadership to ensure alignment, successful implementation, and adoption of procurement tools, systems, and governance processes. Manage supplier performance, risk, compliance, and governance across legal, regulatory, cybersecurity, sustainability, and data privacy requirements while driving procurement transformation, operational efficiencies, working capital improvements, and continuous improvement activities. The skills and experience you need We are looking for someone who: Has proven experience within procurement, sourcing, category management, supplier management, and contract negotiations, ideally in an international and matrix-based organization. Has strong track record of delivering measurable cost savings, supplier optimization, value creation, and procurement transformation initiatives. Possesses experience developing and executing category strategies, leading sourcing projects, and driving supplier governance, compliance, and risk management. Presents advanced critical-thinking capabilities, including spend analysis, reporting, procurement systems, e-sourcing tools, Power BI, and data-informed decision making. Holds bachelor’s degree within Procurement, Supply Chain, Finance, Business Administration, or a related field; CIPS certification and manufacturing/industrial experience are considered advantageous. To be successful in this role, the individual must be a strategic and commercially minded procurement professional who can see the bigger picture while remaining hands-on in execution. Strong stakeholder management and influencing skills are critical, as the role requires collaboration with senior leaders and cross-functional teams across multiple countries without having direct authority. The ideal candidate is a confident negotiator who can build strong supplier relationships while challenging existing ways of working and driving change. They should be highly analytical and comfortable using data to support resolutions, identify opportunities, and communicate recommendations. Finally, the person should possess a continuous improvement mindset, strong communication and presentation skills, and the ability to manage multiple projects and priorities in a complex, fast-paced international environment. What we offer We’re passionate about providing great opportunities and benefits, so you can continue and progress a lifelong career with us – here’s what we have to offer: Learning and career development opportunities, whether it’s online learning, management training or enhancing your skills A competitive salary and incentive schemes Modern infrastructure We review applications regularly, so don’t wait We are building diverse, inclusive teams, and encourage applications from everyone who can

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