As the Supplier Development and Category Manager, you will lead a hybrid role that brings together supplier development, category management, and supplier quality into a single, versatile profile. Your primary focus is to build supplier capability and own category strategy — developing suppliers into reliable, high-performing partners while shaping the direction of your assigned categories. Sourcing and negotiation are part of the toolkit that enables these outcomes, not the headline. Operating with a high degree of independence and advanced judgment, you will define ways of working, and drive cross-functional improvement. We look forward to seeing your application!

• Supplier Development (primary focus)

• Own the development of assigned suppliers into capable, resilient partners — assessing capability, identifying gaps, and building structured improvement roadmaps that deliver sustained gains in quality, delivery, cost, and responsiveness.

• Lead supplier qualification and onboarding, applying advanced quality-planning tools (APQP, PPAP, process capability, first-article approval) to ensure readiness before production release.

• Drive systemic supplier improvement using structured problem-solving and Continuous Improvement methodologies (8D, DMAIC, Lean, Six Sigma), coaching suppliers to embed preventive, capable processes.

• Manage a focus-supplier programme: define the weakest / highest-risk supplier pool, set improvement targets (e.g., DPPM, on-time delivery), and track measurable progress against them.

• Conduct on-site supplier audits, assessments, and development visits across Europe to strengthen partnerships and verify capacity, quality, and compliance.

• Establish and manage supplier performance metrics and scorecards, translating data into corrective actions and capability-building plans.

• Category Management (primary focus)

• Own category strategy for assigned material groups (e.g., mechanical components, plastics, electronics, machined/cast/forged parts), aligning supplier development priorities to the category roadmap.

• Rationalize and shape the supply base — consolidation, dual-sourcing, and new-supplier introduction — to balance capability, risk, cost, and continuity.

• Apply Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) and value-analysis thinking to make-or-buy and category decisions, owning the business case for recommendations to leadership.

• Partner with Engineering and Operations to embed early supplier involvement and design-for-manufacturability into New Product Development (NPD).

• Lead cross-functional cost-out and value-engineering projects within the category, converting supplier capability into measurable business results.

• Sourcing & Commercial (enabling)

• Conduct negotiations, framework agreements, and terms management where these enable category and development outcomes — as a supporting lever rather than the primary focus.

• Own commercial negotiations, pricing, and cost management for assigned suppliers and categories, translating cost-savings targets into delivered results.

• Support annual cost planning and material-inflation management, contributing to Profit Plan commitments.

• Identify and mitigate supply risk (shortages, insolvencies, obsolescence) through second-source strategies and contingency plans.

• Ensure supplier compliance with ESG and regulatory frameworks (REACH, RoHS, LkSG, CSDDD) across the supply base.

• Leadership & Ways of Working

• Serve as a subject-matter expert across supplier development, category, and quality; define standard ways of working and mentor, coach, and review the work of less-experienced colleagues, without formal people-management responsibility.

• Lead cross-functional projects and improvement initiatives through influence rather than authority, providing transparent reporting on progress, risks, and results.

You are a versatile, hands-on operator who thrives at the intersection of quality, development, and commercial thinking. You quickly and decisively take action in fast-changing situations, show strong initiative, and are exceptional at spotting and seizing opportunities to build supplier capability. You set high standards, pursue outcomes with energy and drive, and formulate clear strategies that accelerate the organization toward its goals.

• Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) in Engineering, Supply Chain, Quality, or a related field, with a minimum of 8 years’ progressive experience across supplier development, supplier quality, or category management (or 6 years with a Master’s).

• Demonstrated expertise in supplier development and quality tools (APQP, PPAP, 8D, SPC, ISO 9001 / IATF 16949) with the ability to define methods and evaluation criteria for complex, non-routine work.

• Proven experience developing and improving suppliers — audits, capability assessments, corrective actions, and performance improvement in an international environment.

• Category management experience, including supply-base strategy, TCO/cost modelling, and business-case ownership.

• Solid commercial acumen — negotiation, pricing, and cost management in an international environment.

• Six Sigma / Lean qualification (Green or Black Belt preferred) and a track record of measurable Continuous Improvement delivery.

• Ability to operate independently on complex issues, with work reviewed on completion, and to influence and mentor across functions without formal authority.

• Strong communication and stakeholder-management skills, a strategic mindset, and commercial awareness.

• Availability to travel approximately 30% for supplier development and audits across Europe.

• Experience leading focus-supplier or supply-base development programmes with quantified quality/delivery improvement.

• Exposure to global supplier networks, new-market exploration, and cost-optimization programmes.

• Experience supporting NPD through early supplier involvement and design-for-manufacturability input.

• Certification in supplier quality or project management (e.g., ASQ CQE/CSQP, PMP, PRINCE2, or Agile) is an advantage.

• Knowledge of integrating sustainability into supplier strategies (CO₂ reduction, responsible sourcing, recyclability).

At Emerson, we prioritize a workplace where every employee is valued, respected, and empowered to grow. We foster an environment that encourages innovation, collaboration, and diverse perspectives because we know that great ideas come from great teams. Our commitment to ongoing career development and growing an inclusive culture ensures you have the support to thrive. Whether through mentorship, training, or leadership opportunities, we invest in your success so you can make a lasting impact. We believe diverse teams working together are key to driving growth and delivering business results.

Make this great opportunity yours!