.The Regional Category Manager defines the strategy for all sub-categories within the defined category on a Regional level and manages key supplier relationships (SRM). He/she drives and supports strategic sourcing initiatives, defines, and controls the Regional category end-to-end Procurement cycle, and manages and optimizes supplier performance and contracts for all Regionally managed sub-categories within the defined category, takes interaction with stakeholders as well as senior management and budget owners whilst also ensuring high levels of customer satisfaction.Tasks & Responsibilities:Category Strategy: Develop and implement category strategies for all Regional sub-categories in alignment with organizational targets, stakeholders and senior management, considering market trends, cost drivers, efficiency, supplier capabilities, and risk mitigation. Approve deviations from category strategy. Supplier Relationship Management: Build and maintain strategic relationships with key suppliers, including contract negotiation, performance monitoring, and continuous improvement initiatives. Drive supplier innovation and value creation. Strategic Sourcing: Conduct and support strategic sourcing initiatives, including supplier identification, competitive bidding, fact-based negotiations, contract award, and full implementation of buying channel strategy. Drive cost reduction, quality improvement, and efficiency gains. Stakeholder Collaboration: Collaborate with internal stakeholders and senior management, such as Operations, Finance, Legal and Procurement (Procurement Heads, BPO Steering Manager, Procurement Excellence), to ensure alignment of procurement strategies with business needs. Understand their requirements and provide procurement insights and recommendations. Establish and enhance regionally, holistic, efficient and lean order processes with stakeholders, such as call-offs and catalogues, to drive operational effectiveness, and improve overall procurement performance. Manage and resolve escalations on various levels. Demand Planning: Propel and conduct demand planning activities together with the business to estimate and forecast future demand for goods and services, leveraging historical data, market trends, and external factors to ensure accurate predictions. Risk Management: Identify and assess risks related to the sub-categories, such as supply chain disruptions, market volatility, or regulatory changes. Develop and implement risk mitigation strategies to ensure continuity of supply. Performance Monitoring and Reporting: Track and evaluate supplier performance against key performance indicators (KPIs) and service level agreements (SLAs). Provide regular reports and insights to management, highlighting achievements, opportunities, and potential risks, taking various tools and data sources into consideration