Vacant job

Do you want to work in a business-oriented and strategic role where you can influence both purchasing strategy and business results? For an established international industrial operation, we are now looking for two Category Managers who will be responsible for purchasing allocated segments, negotiating commercial terms, securing contracts for products/services, and contributing to the company's continued development.

Background

Arena Personal is currently assisting Åkers Sweden in recruiting two Category Managers for their purchasing department. This is a direct recruitment assignment, and you will be employed directly by Åkers Sweden. Åkers Sweden manufactures and casts rolls that are delivered to customers within the steel and metal industry on the global market. You are offered a key role in an international industrial operation where purchasing is a strategically important function. Here you will have the opportunity to influence, develop processes, and contribute to long-term business results together with engaged colleagues. The position is intended to be filled after the summer holiday or according to agreement, taking notice periods into account.

About the role

As a Category Manager, you have overall commercial responsibility for allocated categories and suppliers. You work both strategically and operationally to develop purchasing activities, optimize supplier relationships, and ensure cost-effective solutions that create business value. The role involves close collaboration with several functions within the operation, and you drive purchasing-related issues from analysis and strategy to negotiation, implementation, and follow-up. You will become an important part of the company's continued development and work in an environment where commercial viability, quality, and long-term relationships are in focus. The position is located on-site at Åkers Sweden, in a manufacturing industrial operation with a focus on production. The workplace is located in Åkers Styckebruk just outside Strängnäs, half an hour from Eskilstuna and half an hour from Södertälje. The position is daytime hours with flexible time options, and some remote work is possible according to the company's guidelines.

Responsibilities

• Responsible for the purchasing process within allocated categories
• Negotiate and conclude commercial agreements with suppliers
• Develop and manage supplier relationships
• Drive strategic and cross-functional improvement and development projects
• Ensure delivery capability, quality, and cost-effectiveness
• Handle complaints and follow up on supplier performance
• Follow market development, supplier markets, and trends in your area
• Produce analyses, reports, and follow-ups as support for business decisions
• Participate in and drive change work within purchasing and supply chain

Requirements for the position

• University degree in economics or engineering
• At least 5 years of experience in qualified purchasing work
• Documented experience in independently driving negotiations from start to signed contract
• Fluent communication in Swedish and English, both spoken and written
• Experience from mechanical industrial operations or equivalent
• Basic technical ability
• Experience working in business systems
• Good knowledge of the Office package

About you

To thrive at Åkers Sweden and in the role of Category Manager, we are looking for you who appreciate industrial environments and feel comfortable moving around in the operation. The role involves regular contact with production, internal stakeholders, and suppliers, which requires a practical and business-oriented approach. The work environment is characterized by heavy industry with high safety requirements. As a natural part of the job, you need to feel safe in the production environment and wear required protective equipment when necessary. We prefer applicants who have the possibility to work long-term on-site or within a reasonable commuting distance.

As a person, you are ambitious, driven, and results-oriented. You are motivated by creating business value, driving improvements, and achieving set goals. You work in a structured and analytical manner, have the ability to turn data into insights, and make well-founded decisions based on facts. We also see that you have a strong business interest and a natural ability to build long-term relationships. You thrive in collaborations, build trust with both colleagues and suppliers, and have the ability to drive issues forward in a cross-functional organization.

We look forward to receiving your application!