Category Manager (Supply Chain & Industrial Purchasing)

Job description

L‑Acoustics is the world leader in premium professional sound systems for live events. From world-class artists on tour, to major music festivals in every genre, to opening and closing ceremonies of planetary sporting events, we are the trusted choice of event professionals who require extreme reliability and fidelity show after show. Designed and manufactured in Europe, and available in 80 countries globally, L-Acoustics employs over 1300 people worldwide, with 20% of team resources devoted to R&D and application. Our products are built to the highest professional and sustainable standards, which we, continue to define and elevate. To support this ambition, our Purchasing division plays a strategic role in securing the resources, services, and partnerships that enable our operations to grow with agility and excellence. Within this team, we are looking for a Category Manager – Supply Chain & Industrial Purchasing who will manage a strategic indirect purchasing scope covering Supply Chain-related categories, including transport, warehousing and logistics services , as well as industrial site-related indirect spend , including industrial equipment, CAPEX machinery , automation solutions, technical services and site investment projects, and contribute directly to the efficiency, competitiveness, and long-term performance of our global organization. Role description: The team you will join: You will join the Indirect Purchasing team, part of the wider Purchasing division. The department plays a key role in supporting the company’s operational and strategic ambitions. Her mission is to contribute to the company’s overall performance by turning every expense into a lever of competitiveness, innovation and risk management. It acts as a strategic partner to operational business units to: Ensure responsible use of resources and optimize the value generated for every euro spent; Strengthen economical performance by securing costs and guiding choices toward the best solutions on the market in line with the right level of operational requirement; Protect the company by managing supplier risks as well as contractual, regulatory, and operational risks; Support transformation by promoting innovation, digitalization and continuous improvement; Contribute to the Group’s CSR commitments by integrating environmental, social and ethical criteria into purchasing decisions. By acting upstream of decisions, Indirect Purchasing department creates a framework that secures and maximizes the success of company’s projects. As a Category Manager , you will manage a strategic category portfolio covering Supply Chain-related categories, including transport, warehousing and logistics services, as well as industrial site-related indirect spend , ensuring they are managed efficiently and aligned with business needs. What you will contribute to: You will define, deploy, and manage the purchasing strategy for your categories, working closely with internal stakeholders to support their operational and strategic projects. Your mission will cover six main dimensions: Purchasing Strategy Definition: Define purchasing strategies for your categories, in alignment with corporate objectives. Conduct sourcing analysis across your categories: business needs, operational requirements, investment needs, cost structures, external risks, supplier landscape, and market capabilities. Establish supplier selection criteria based on performance, quality, innovation, and sustainability. Contribute to specifications and challenge user requirements to optimize value for money. Purchasing Strategy Implementation: Manage end-to-end purchasing activities for your categories. Lead tenders, supplier assessments, and contract negotiations. Support sourcing and negotiation activities for Supply Chain-related categories, including transport, warehousing and logistics services, as well as industrial projects, working closely with internal stakeholders such as Supply Chain, Manufacturing, Engineering, Facilities and Project teams. Ensure compliance with purchasing policies, governance rules, and ethical standards. Track and optimize total cost of ownership (TCO). Maintain purchasing data accuracy in our ERP: Microsoft Dynamics 365. Categories Projects Roadmap & Procurement Performance: Define and steer category roadmaps for Supply Chain-related categories, including transport, warehousing and logistics services, as well as Industrial spend, including CAPEX-related projects aligned with internal stakeholders. Track Procurement performance according to rules defined (savings, cost avoidance) and report on a regular basis. Supplier Relationship & Performance Management: Build and maintain strong relationships with strategic suppliers. Monitor supplier performance: quality, cost, delivery, service level. Conduct business reviews and implement corrective actions when needed. Manage contract lifecycle and ensure long-term value creation. Continuous Improvement & Market Monitoring: Identify cost-saving opportunities and lead productivity initiatives. Benchmark market trends, pricing movements, supplier capabilities and innovation opportunities across Supply Chain-related categories, including transport, warehousing and logistics services, as well as Industrial Purchasing markets, including industrial equipment, automation, technical services and CAPEX-related markets. Contribute to group-level synergies and harmonization actions. Support the development and maturity of purchasing processes and tools, including digitalization projects. Manage and Improve Current Procure-to-Pay process: Manage Purchase Requisition validation and Purchase Order with suppliers. Propose optimization opportunities to improve overall process efficiency. What you will need to succeed: Education & Experience: Master’s degree in Business, Engineering, Procurement, Supply Chain, or related field. 8+ years of experience in indirect purchasing, with significant exposure to Supply Chain-related categories, including transport, warehousing and logistics services, and/or Industrial Purchasing categories within a manufacturing or industrial environment. Proven experience managing sourcing projects across Supply Chain-related categories, including transport, warehousing and logistics services, as well as Industrial categories, including industrial equipment, technical services and CAPEX projects. Strong experience in negotiation, supplier management, and contract governance. Fluent in English and French; other languages are a plus. Skills: Strong analytical capabilities and result-oriented. Strong negotiation skills and ability to manage complex supplier ecosystems. Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills. Ability to challenge the status quo, to propose optimization opportunities, ability to convince and support changes. Good understanding of industrial environments, Supply Chain-related operations, including transport, warehousing and logistics challenges, and investment projects. Ability to assess technical, operational and commercial proposals related to transport services, warehousing services, logistics solutions, industrial equipment and technical services. Knowledge of purchasing processes and ERP tools (Dynamics 365 appreciated). Personality: Humble, pragmatic, and collaborative mindset. Ability to act as a Business Partner and challenge needs constructively. Proactive, autonomous, and results driven. High ethical standards and integrity. What we offer At L-Acoustics, newcomers are welcomed into a dynamic and inclusive environment that blends technological excellence with human-centered values. New team members benefit from the following: Hybrid work policy with remote flexibility Comprehensive health benefits to support you and your family. Opportunities for internal mobility and career advancement A collaborative, international work environment driven by innovation. Employee events and initiatives that foster community and creativity. Access to the company’s CSE (Comité Social et Économique), offering cultural, leisure, and social benefits. A strong focus/emphasis on work-life balance L-Acoustics supports personal/professional development, diversity, and community engagement—ensuring that every newcomer feels empowered to grow, contribute, and thrive from day one. We recognize that talent is multifaceted. Our commitment to valuing each individual, giving equal opportunities to all and building a team enriched by a variety of backgrounds and experiences. What matters most to us is your passion, your expertise, and your drive to grow. We believe in creating an environment where people can do their best work and thrive together. Even if this role isn’t an exact match, we encourage you to apply. Your unique perspective could be just what our team needs.