Category Manager (Supply Chain & Industrial Purchasing)

Company Overview

L‑Acoustics is the world leader in premium professional sound systems for live events. From world‑class artists on tour, to major music festivals in every genre, to opening and closing ceremonies of planetary sporting events, we are the trusted choice of event professionals who require extreme reliability and fidelity show after show.

Designed and manufactured in Europe, and available in 80 countries globally, L‑Acoustics employs over 1300 people worldwide, with 20% of team resources devoted to R&D and application. Our products are built to the highest professional and sustainable standards, which we continue to define and elevate.

Role Description

Within this team, we are looking for a Category Manager – Supply Chain & Industrial Purchasing who will manage a strategic indirect purchasing scope covering Supply Chain‑related categories, including transport, warehousing and logistics services, as well as industrial site‑related indirect spend, including industrial equipment, CAPEX machinery, automation solutions, technical services and site investment projects, and contribute directly to the efficiency, competitiveness, and long‑term performance of our global organization.

The Team

You will join the Indirect Purchasing team, part of the wider Purchasing division. The department plays a key role in supporting the company's operational and strategic ambitions. The mission is to contribute to the company's overall performance by turning every expense into a lever of competitiveness, innovation and risk management. It acts as a strategic partner to operational business units to:

• Ensure responsible use of resources and optimize the value generated for every euro spent;
• Strengthen economical performance by securing costs and guiding choices toward the best solutions on the market in line with the right level of operational requirement;
• Protect the company by managing supplier risks as well as contractual, regulatory, and operational risks;
• Support transformation by promoting innovation, digitalization and continuous improvement;
• Contribute to the Group's CSR commitments by integrating environmental, social and ethical criteria into purchasing decisions.

Responsibilities

Your mission will cover six main dimensions:

• Purchasing Strategy Definition

  • Define purchasing strategies for your categories, in alignment with corporate objectives.
  • Conduct sourcing analysis across your categories: business needs, operational requirements, investment needs, cost structures, external risks, supplier landscape, and market capabilities.
  • Establish supplier selection criteria based on performance, quality, innovation, and sustainability.
  • Contribute to specifications and challenge user requirements to optimize value for money.

• Purchasing Strategy Implementation

  • Manage end‑to‑end purchasing activities for your categories.
  • Lead tenders, supplier assessments, and contract negotiations.
  • Support sourcing and negotiation activities for Supply Chain‑related categories, including transport, warehousing and logistics services, as well as industrial projects, working closely with internal stakeholders such as Supply Chain, Manufacturing, Engineering, Facilities and Project teams.
  • Ensure compliance with purchasing policies, governance rules, and ethical standards.
  • Track and optimize total cost of ownership (TCO).
  • Maintain purchasing data accuracy in our ERP: Microsoft Dynamics 365.

• Categories Projects Roadmap & Procurement Performance

  • Define and steer category roadmaps for Supply Chain‑related categories, including transport, warehousing and logistics services, as well as Industrial spend, including CAPEX‑related projects aligned with internal stakeholders.
  • Track Procurement performance according to rules defined (savings, cost avoidance) and report on a regular basis.

• Supplier Relationship & Performance Management

  • Build and maintain strong relationships with strategic suppliers.
  • Monitor supplier performance: quality, cost, delivery, service level.
  • Conduct business reviews and implement corrective actions when needed.
  • Manage contract lifecycle and ensure long‑term value creation.

• Continuous Improvement & Monitoring

  • Implement continuous improvement initiatives to enhance efficiency and reduce spend.
  • Use data analytics to monitor procurement activities and identify opportunities for improvement.
  • Drive the adoption of digital tools and processes across the purchasing function.

Benefits and Competencies

We offer an environment that encourages innovation, collaborative teamwork, and personal growth. You will work in a global organization with a strong focus on sustainability and responsible sourcing.