Global Category Manager

**Job Description Global Procurement
**Global Category Manager - Utilities
**Functional overview
The **purpose **of Asahi Procurement is to safeguard the existing value and to unlock new sources of sustainable value for Asahi, our customers, and the planet. This is done through partnering with Asahi business stakeholders and a high-performing supplier network.

Procurement capabilities are mobilized to improve product and service quality, mitigate risks, drive total cost of ownership and infuse top-line growth for Asahi local businesses.

Asahi Procurement aspires to be the partner of choice for internal clients as well as for external suppliers; trusted for being an inspirational business advocate; connecting people and driving sustainable procurement value; while aiming to achieve operational and transactional excellence to ensure business continuity.

Excellence in procurement is achieved by establishing strong partnerships for strategic internal and external cooperation, as well as responding innovatively and agilely to business disruptions and challenges.

No matter if Procurement people are based in Japan, Australia, Malaysia, Europe or any other location, there is a **one-direction **approach used to maximize value delivery in a consistent way.

Cost and Net Working Capital efficiency is equally important as proactive risk management is. The aspiration for continuity, **sustainability, **and circular economy is reflected in everything we do. Moreover, Procurement employees are not only experts in their categories but also ambassadors for corporate social responsibility. Following the Asahi Group philosophy, Procurement thinks globally and acts locally.

**Job title**

Global Category Manager - Utilities

**Qualification criteria
- University degree, preferably in Business related field (master's degree preferred)
- Proficiency in English
- 7+ years of professional experience, whereof 4+ years in procurement
- International experience from multinational company
- Experience from an above-market role
- 3+ years of proven managerial experience
- Procurement platform/-s experience
- Advanced knowledge of MS Office Suite

**Reporting to**

Global Category Director - SC & L

**Main interfaces
**Internally**

Senior leadership teams across the globe

**Externally**

Suppliers / other procurement organization / local authorities

**Main purpose of the job
The primary role of a Global Category Manager - Utilities is to lead and implement procurement strategies, vision, and governance across the organization. This position heads the Procurement team, fostering unity across regions and promoting the sharing of best practices and knowledge. Alongside adhering to established governance, policies, and processes, the role involves protecting the company's assets and reputation through effective internal control systems, procedures, and legal compliance. The role is also responsible for driving sustainable procurement and procurement innovation strategies, as well as creating and implementing category strategies. Responsibilities include executing strategic sourcing plans to maximize business value, building and enhancing stakeholder relationships across all procurement activities, and managing supplier partnerships. The Global Category Manager also manages and tracks plans and budgets against objectives, key value drivers, and related KPIs. Risk management, with a focus on price volatility, supplier stability, and product or service availability, is a key part of the role. The ultimate goal of the role is to contribute to operational excellence in Procurement and drive continuous improvement of Procurement capabilities and practices in alignment with Asahi's overall strategy and external benchmarks.

**Accountabilities and deliverables
1. Implement Procurement purpose, vision, strategies and governance.

2. Lead Procurement team overseeing the definition and execution of functional goals.

3. Promote one team spirit between all regions to enable sharing of best practices and knowledge.

4. Support Global Procurement People strategy and culture (incl. DEI, employee engagement and well-being).

5. Self-manage adherence to defined governance, policies, and processes.

6. Protect all company’s assets by putting in place internal control system and procedures.

7. Protect reputation of Asahi by following applicable legislation.

8. Drive Sustainable Procurement (incl. CSR) and Procurement innovation strategies and projects.

9. Create and implement category strategies.

10. Execute strategic sourcing plans to maximize the value for the business.

11. Build and enhance strong stakeholder relationship across all Procurement activities.

12. Develop and maintain strong partnership with suppliers including performance and quality assurance.

13. Manage and track plans and budgets including objectives, key value drivers and related KPIs.

14. Risk management focusing on extended agenda: price volatility, supplier stability