Category Manager - Engineering & Technical Services

Position Overview

The Category Manager, Engineering & Technical Services will lead strategic sourcing, and category strategy development for externally sourced engineering, technical, and operations support services. International is seeking an experienced Procurement Category Manager to partner closely with Engineering, Product Development and Operations teams to develop sourcing strategies, manage supplier performance, and deliver value.

The role is accountable for the category strategy, sourcing execution, commercial negotiations, identifying and implementing cost reductions, and supplier relationship management.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute category strategies for engineering and technical services, including design engineering, testing and validation, software development, technical consulting, laboratory services, and outsourced engineering resources.

• Align procurement strategies across different regions and business units within TRATON and Volkswagen.

• Lead competitive sourcing initiatives, including RFIs, RFPs, cost benchmarking, supplier evaluations, negotiations, and present sourcing recommendations.

• Negotiate commercial agreements, rate cards, Master Service Agreements (MSAs), and Statements of Work (SOWs).

• Build and manage strategic supplier relationships to drive performance, innovation, quality, and cost competitiveness.

• Partner with business stakeholders to understand resource requirements, project objectives, and long-term capability requirements.

• Prepare executive-level summaries and presentations to support leadership reviews for your category.

• Deliver measurable cost savings, cost avoidance, and value creation while ensuring uninterrupted support for engineering programs.

• Use benchmarking and fact based analysis to support sourcing decisions.

• Monitor market trends, supplier capabilities, and industry developments to inform sourcing strategies.

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor's degree and at least 5 years of purchasing/procurement experience

• At least 1 years of lead experience

OR

• Master's degree and at least 3 years of purchasing/procurement experience

• At least 1 years of lead experience

OR

• At least 8 years of purchasing/procurement experience

• At least 1 years of lead experience

Additional Requirements

• Qualified candidates, excluding current employees, must be legally authorized on an unrestricted basis (US Citizen, Legal Permanent Resident, Refugee or Asylee) to be employed in the United States. We do not anticipate providing employment related work sponsorship for this position (e.g., H-1B status)

Desired Skills

• Strong negotiation, contract management, and supplier relationship management skills.

• Proven ability to influence cross-functional stakeholders and lead complex sourcing initiatives.

• Strong analytical, financial, problem-solving, and strategic thinking capabilities.

• Ability to read, understand and negotiate commercial agreements and contracts.

• Ability to present sourcing strategies and recommendations to leadership.

• Skilled at developing executive level presentations and clearly communicating recommendations.

• Excellent collaboration skills, with the ability to work cross-functionally and manage relationships with cross functional team members and other Volkswagen brands.

• Experience sourcing engineering, technical, consulting, or professional services is desired.

• Experience in manufacturing, automotive, industrial, or engineering-driven environments preferred.