Category Manager Raw Materials

GVS Group is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of filter solutions for applications in the Healthcare, Life Sciences, Safety, Transfusion Medicine and Energy & Mobility sectors.

In over 40 years of history, GVS has evolved from a supplier of components for the healthcare sector to a global Group that produces highly technological diversified filtration solutions.

The Group has always paid great attention to research, development and innovation of its products and processes and has shown a strong trend towards development in global markets since its foundation.

In addition to the corporate headquarters in Bologna, GVS currently has 20 plants located in Italy, United Kingdom, Brazil, United States, China, Mexico, Romania, and Puerto Rico, and 30 commercial offices located all over the world.

GVS has always adopted a “glocal” approach: it operates locally in contact with its customers but relies on the strength of a global network.

For our HQ in Zola Predosa, we are looking for highly experienced Category Manager Raw Materials to lead the strategic sourcing and category management activities for key plastic raw material categories at corporate level.

This is a senior procurement role requiring a strong combination of commercial acumen, technical understanding of raw materials, and excellent stakeholder management capabilities. The successful candidate will be responsible for defining sourcing strategies, leading supplier negotiations, managing contractual frameworks, and developing strategic supplier partnerships across a global supplier base.

This position is focused on strategic procurement activities only. Operational purchasing and order execution are managed locally by the plants and operating companies.

The role reports directly to the Corporate Procurement Director and is based at the company's Headquarters in Italy.

Key Responsibility

• Define and implement global category strategies for plastic raw materials, ensuring competitiveness, supply security, quality excellence, and long-term value creation.
• Lead strategic sourcing initiatives, including supplier market analysis, supplier scouting, RFQ/RFP processes, benchmarking, negotiations, and contract management.
• Manage a portfolio of international suppliers and distributors, building long-term strategic partnerships that support business growth, innovation, and sustainability goals.
• Negotiate commercial agreements and pricing frameworks, delivering measurable savings and value creation opportunities.
• Monitor market dynamics, raw material trends, and supply risks to proactively identify opportunities and mitigate potential disruptions.
• Collaborate closely with plant buyers, R&D, Quality, Operations, and Sustainability teams to align sourcing strategies with business requirements.
• Support new product development initiatives through early supplier involvement and material sourcing expertise.
• Drive supplier performance improvement initiatives across cost, quality, innovation, service levels, compliance, and sustainability metrics.
• Develop and maintain category intelligence, spend analysis, supplier performance dashboards, and procurement reporting tools.
• Ensure effective supplier risk management and business continuity planning.

Required Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in supply chain, Procurement, Engineering, Chemistry, Business Administration, or a related discipline.
• Minimum 10 years of experience in strategic procurement, category management, or sourcing roles within an international industrial environment.
• Proven experience managing significant annual expenditure and complex supplier portfolios.
• Strong background in plastic raw materials, polymers, resins, compounds, additives, or related categories.
• Experience in the chemical, plastics, packaging, or medical device industries is highly preferred.
• Demonstrated success in developing and executing category strategies and leading complex contract negotiations.
• Solid technical understanding of raw materials and manufacturing supply chains.
• Experience working with international suppliers and multicultural stakeholders.
• Fluent English, both written and spoken; additional languages are considered a plus.
• Availability for international travel.

Strategic & Commercial Skills

• Strong category management and strategic sourcing capabilities.
• Excellent negotiation and contract management skills.
• Strong business and financial acumen.
• Ability to evaluate supplier markets and identify strategic sourcing opportunities.
• Data-driven decision-making and analytical mindset.

Leadership & Interpersonal Skills

• Strong relationship-building and stakeholder management capabilities.
• Credible, pragmatic, and results-oriented approach.
• Ability to influence senior stakeholders across functions and geographies.
• Effective communicator with strong presentation and negotiation skills.
• Hands-on and proactive attitude, capable of balancing strategic thinking with execution focus.
• Naturally curious and willing to challenge assumptions through deep analysis and fact-based discussions.

The annual compensation range for this position is €60,000 - €80,000 plus MBO eligibility. This compensation range has been determined based on objective and gender-neutral criteria, including the scope of the role, required skills, relevant professional experience, qualifications, and level of responsibility. The final compensation package will be defined based on the candidate's experience, technical expertise, and overall fit for the role.