Category Management Specialist
Our 27-year journey rides on the passion of over 24,000 seafarers and 1,000 onshore professionals. Today, we are one of the largest independent third-party ship management companies managing over 600 diverse types of vessels.
Headquartered in Hong Kong SAR, China, we operate on a global scale having 27 offices in 12 countries. Our client base spans over 100 world-class ship owners, including Fortune 500 companies from China, Greece, India, Japan, Korea, Netherlands, Norway, Turkey and the USA, among others.
In a shore career at FLEET, you will be working with a team of a highly passionate, self-driven and committed group of people. We aim to be a place where you can achieve your full potential, regardless of your background. We are looking for individuals who are ambitious about making a strong contribution to FLEET’s short and long-term sustainable growth – whether you are dealing directly with clients or working in a role supporting the business, such as technology, legal or communications.
Job Position Summary
The main responsibility of the Category Management Specialist (CMS) is to provide support to the category leader by delivering on category objectives. CMS will report to the category lead and assist with various category projects and initiatives.
This position will occasionally be required to supervise junior team members indirectly and serve as a single point of contact for various supplier matters to the business and procurement colleagues.
Key Roles and Responsibilities
• Participate in establishing the category strategies and support the category lead in delivering on the category strategies and plans. This will include various sub-categories under the main category. E.g. For Machinery it would include Engines, TCs, Aux categories, BWTS, Scrubbers etc.
• Derive insights from historical spend data through internal purchasing and financial systems as well as assist the category lead in maintaining relevant vessel equipment data for forecasting purposes
• Analysis and interpretation of spend and supply data to measure performance, drive optimization, and continuous improvement on a global level
• Assist category lead in critical negotiations with key suppliers and execute agreed sourcing and negotiation projects
• Define vendor selection criteria in alignment with technical, and independently lead negotiations on projects with a large impact.
• To assist in performing supplier market analysis and organizing market intelligence for spend within Fleet’s operations and benchmarking the comparisons
• To assist in developing effective bidding, negotiation, and pricing strategies to provide the business with the best value in the marketplace for the dollars spent in a manner that meets the budgets, policies, ethical standards and audit requirements of the Group.
• To maintain and contribute to procurement policies and guidelines and ensure compliance at all times
• Develop a supplier management program with key category suppliers including metrics, performance goals and improvement initiatives
• Collaborate and cooperate with cross-functional category teams with the aim of driving cost reduction, improve quality and delivery performance and other applicable key performance areas
• Assist in indirect team management by occasionally coaching and supervising them, while ensuring team issues are resolved amicably
• Leading and participating in team initiatives that promote a healthy work environment
The Category Management Specialist will report to the Category Lead and closely work with various cross-functional teams as well develop relationships with key stakeholders
The position also involves representing the Fleet procurement at various occasions such supplier meetings, international exhibits etc.
Job Experience, Functional Knowledge and Qualifications
• 8+ years of work experience with at least 5yrs of procurement experience including negotiations and supplier relationships
• Good working knowledge of category management disciplines and processes
• Exposure to the marine industry or other heavy industry will be considered an advantage
• A self-driven team player, who understands the importance of stakeholder management, can build rapport at all levels even in challenging situations and can encourage and influence others without authority
• Have an entrepreneurial mindset with strong analytical and presentation skills
• Can handle risks and uncertainties and be flexible in adapting when priorities change. Must feel comfortable in challenging the status quo and are motivated to lead change
• Has a strong commercial mindset with a natural focus on achieving the most cost-effective solutions for the business
• Strong interpersonal skills, capable of developing and influencing internal and external relationships and holds command over spoken and written English
• Ability to understand and adapt technical requirements into procurement processes and related streamlining
Fleet Management Limited is committed to diversity, equity and inclusion in the workplace. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other protected characteristic as outlined by local laws