Category Manager - Direct Materials

This is a key role to lead and define global ownership of a direct materials subcategory, driving strategy, supplier excellence, and long-term value. This is a high impact role where you’ll shape the 3year category roadmap, lead global negotiations, and deliver regional projects that strengthen supply resilience and performance.

Report to the Regional Procurement Manager, you will lead global strategy for your subcategory, including supplier segmentation, risk management, and cost/value optimization. Manage strategic supplier relationships worldwide, delivering measurable improvements in OTD, PPM and capacity. Drive regional execution of category projects such as localisation, dual-sourcing, and VA/VE programmers. Execute sourcing strategy — RFx, long-term agreements, cost models, and TCO improvement. Partner with Engineering, Quality, Operations and Finance to ensure supply continuity, qualification, and NPI support.

In this role you will bring your experience in procurement/category management within direct materials. Strong commercial acumen, negotiation capability, and supplier development experience. Your ability to influence at all levels and balance global strategy with regional execution. Strong analytical skills and experience with ERP/sourcing tools.

This role would suit a determined problem-solver, who can lead a defined direct materials sub‑category globally and ensuring delivery of all category projects and supplier management regionally. Provide strong leadership to ensure cross functional collaboration with Engineering, Quality, Operations, and Finance.

Experience Requirements:

• 8+ years in procurement or category management within direct materials (e.g., metals, machine parts, electronics).
• Experience leading global and regional sourcing projects and supplier negotiations.
• Strong commercial acumen, contract management expertise, and analytical capability.
• Demonstrated ability to influence stakeholders at multiple levels.
• Ability to balance strategic (global) and operational (regional) priorities.
• Proficiency with ERP and procurement systems; strong Excel/analytics skills
• Italian speaker and English business fluent.

The Successful Candidate:

• Experience in multi‑site or matrix manufacturing environments.
• Exposure to industrial, mechanical, machinery, or similar supply bases.
• Knowledge of should-cost, VA/VE, DfM, and supplier development

#LI-hybrid

Rotork is the market-leading global flow control and instrumentation company, helping our customers manage the flow of liquids, gases and powders across many industries worldwide.

Our purpose is Keeping the World Flowing for Future Generations.

For over sixty years, the world has relied on us to create the things that keep everything moving. From oil and gas to water and shipping, pharmaceuticals and food- these are the flows on which our modern world depends.

Today we're respected and admired for our people, performance and products. Our success flows from our commitment to engineering excellence, and that's what we will always pursue, safely and sustainably.

Rotork is going through an exciting period of change and growth, building on our existing market success. It's a great time to join us and make an impact in shaping the future of our business.