Category Manager (Procurement)

About the role

American Filtrona is seeking a Category Manager to join its Global Procurement team in the United Arab Emirates. Reporting to the Global Procurement Director, you will own both direct and indirect spend categories and support strategic initiatives that drive revenue and profit.

Key responsibilities

• Manage a spend portfolio of US$100M‑200M and maintain strong supplier relationships.
• Develop and execute category planning, market intelligence, and best‑practice sourcing strategies.
• Leverage market trends, regulations, and technology insights to influence strategic decisions.
• Identify continuous‑improvement opportunities with suppliers and internal stakeholders.
• Assess alternative vendors, forecast price trends, and de‑risk the supplier base.
• Lead negotiations, contract terms, and pricing for assigned categories.
• Produce cost‑analysis reports and monitor category performance.

Required profile

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience.
• Minimum 10 years of procurement or category management experience.
• Proven track record of managing large spend volumes and supplier negotiations.

Required skills

• Sourcing initiatives
• Market intelligence
• Strategic sourcing
• Financial management
• Category management
• Category planning