Category Manager - Installation Services
As a subsidiary of Toyota Industries (TICO), Vanderlande North America is experiencing strong growth and increasing market demand. Vanderlande is a global leader in the design, manufacture, installation, and service of advanced material handling systems, utilizing innovative robotic, mechanical, and software technologies. The company serves major customers across the e-commerce, parcel delivery, and aviation industries.
We are currently seeking a Category Manager – Installation Services to join our growing team.
Purpose:
• Deliver value through strategic and tactical Category and Supplier Management. This includes developing and implementing category strategies, managing supplier relationships, ensuring governance and resilience, and driving sourcing success while partnering closely with Project Teams, including Project Procurement (“Demand Management”).
Result Areas and Deliverables:
• Category Strategy Development and Execution – Develop and implement category strategies by analyzing business needs, conducting supply market research, identifying new suppliers, and driving cost-saving opportunities within assigned categories. Coordinate detailed cost analysis when required.
• Supplier Relationship Management – Manage supplier relationships and maintain accountability for supplier performance, including resolution of supplier claims.
• Effective Sourcing and Contracting – Support customer projects by leading sourcing events, establishing cross-functional sourcing teams, overseeing RfA documentation, defining selection criteria, evaluating supplier proposals, conducting negotiations, and awarding contracts.
• Sales Support – Provide procurement input during the sales phase to support the development of competitive and sustainable budget proposals.
Qualifications:
• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Engineering, Materials Management, or related field preferred
• 10+ years of progressive experience in procurement, sourcing, negotiations, logistics, operations, or installation services
• Experience with contracting processes and knowledge of legal requirements, including labor laws
• Experience within the Material Handling Systems industry or similar industries such as construction, contracting, or engineering is preferred
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
• Strong ability to work collaboratively in a team-oriented environment
• Experience working effectively across diverse cultures
• Results-driven mindset with strong business acumen
• Ability to work independently while remaining aligned with team goals
• Strong analytical capabilities, including cost modeling, quotation analysis, pay rate analysis, and supplier evaluation
• Creative problem-solving and innovative thinking skills
• Excellent communication, decision-making, and stakeholder management abilities
• Hands-on, practical working style with a proactive approach
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and ERP systems
• Willingness to travel domestically up to 10%
Vanderlande is a market-leading, global partner for future-proof logistic process automation in the warehousing, airports and parcel sectors. Its extensive portfolio of integrated solutions – innovative systems, intelligent software and life-cycle services – results in the realisation of fast, reliable and efficient automation technology.
The company focuses on the optimisation of its customers’ business processes and competitive positions. Through close cooperation, it strives for the improvement of their operational activities and the expansion of their logistical achievements.
Established in 1949, Vanderlande has more than 11,000 employees and a turnover of 2.3 billion euros.
Toyota Industries Corporation (TICO) acquired Vanderlande in 2017 to cement its global leading position within material handling. It aims to achieve this by increasing its presence in all integrated and automated projects, and capitalising on the synergies between the organisations and the added value they offer to the market.
TICO therefore launched the Toyota Automated Logistics Group (TALG), which consists of Toyota L&F, Bastian Solutions, Vanderlande and viastore. TALG is a global partner for integrated logistic process automation, with its group companies collaborating under the guiding principle: for every challenge, a reliable solution.
In May 2025, Vanderlande completed the acquisition of Siemens Logistics' operations outside the USA and in doing so welcomed more than 2,000 new employees. The acquisition supports the company’s strategic ambition to accelerate its growth in automated logistics, particularly strengthening its capacity to deliver baggage, cargo and digital airport solutions.
