Global Category Manager, Fleet​/Utilities

Job Description

SCOPE

As a Global Category Manager, you will play a key role in developing and executing sub-category strategies for the Fleet and Utilities categories. Reporting to the Procurement Lead, you will plan and lead initiatives across these sub-categories, engaging both internal and external stakeholders. You will partner with stakeholders to strengthen Procurement’s relationships with all in-scope functions and serve as the primary procurement point of contact for category subject‑matter expertise for the global business and procurement community.

In this role, you will be accountable for delivering against savings targets, proactively managing demand, supporting strategic sourcing needs, and overseeing supplier performance. You will also drive innovative activities that support business priorities and provide market insights and category expertise to global and regional teams. This position is expected to fully embrace and role‑model the Takeda Leadership Behaviors:
Think Strategically, Inspire Others, Deliver Priorities, and Elevate Capabilities.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Category management and strategy execution

• Lead the development and implementation of the Category strategy at sub‑category levels with support of the Procurement lead in alignment with organizational objectives, market dynamics and internal stakeholder needs

• Build trusted relationships with the appropriate stakeholders within the Global Real Estate and Facilities Organization and Fleet Center of Excellence.

• Provide specific sub‑category input to inform wider category and Procurement targets and be responsible for the delivery of sub‑category savings targets

• Develop and manage a project pipeline of initiatives and opportunities (including savings, productivity, risk management, technology and innovation) using internal and external benchmarking data and subject matter expertise.

• Lead strategic initiatives within the relevant sub‑category (i.e. Category Councils, engagement guidelines, cash flow initiatives, risk management, etc.) ensuring alignment between sub‑category activities and regional/global requirements.

• Lead interaction with Regional Category Managers and others to ensure alignment on category plan and support with the execution of regional category activities where required

• Collaborate with global and regional Procurement teams, Takeda Business Services, Legal and other functions to help execute effective category strategies including buying channels and negotiation strategies

• Establish and maintain strategic relationships with key suppliers, ensuring effective communication, collaboration and alignment with organizational needs and expectations

• Accountable for contract negotiations on behalf of Takeda to secure favourable terms, pricing and service level agreements, while ensuring compliance with legal and regulatory requirements, including SOWs and other service agreements.

• Drive cost saving initiatives through strategic sourcing, competitive bidding, vendor consolidation and supply base management in line with procurement targets and KPIs

• Lead Supplier Relationship Management initiatives across the strategic supply base, reporting on supplier performance, embracing supplier‑led innovation (where appropriate), issuing constructive feedback and ensuring that any supplier performance risks and issues are resolved on a timely basis to end‑user satisfaction

• Champion Global Procurement’s values and initiatives including supplier diversity and sustainability across procurement, supporting functions and the wider Takeda business

Category‑Specific Responsibilities (Fleet)

• Lead initiatives to improve fleet sustainability in partnership with the business(e.g., electrification, hybridization, eco‑driving programs, or carbon footprint reduction) in alignment with Takeda’s environmental goals. Conduct country EV readiness assessments with Fleet CoE and EHS input.

• Manage relationships with fleet management service providers, including contract negotiation, service‑level agreements (SLAs), and continuous process improvements.

• Drive vendor consolidation and standardisation of fleet vehicles and services to simplify management, leverage…