VP Supplier Relations

The organization

For one of our clients, a global leading supplier of semi-finished products, we are looking for a VP Supplier Relations as part of the holding with a highly entrepreneurial and ambitious working culture. 

The position

The VP Supplier Relations will play an essential role in the ongoing development and success of the company by managing its key strategic suppliers across Europe and guide the activities at local level. S/he is ultimately responsible for overseeing the supplier frameworks, developing and maintaining strong relationships (at C-level), evaluating suppliers, and optimizing the merchandise credit scheme to maximize the bonus. Furthermore, the VP Supplier Relations contributes to the organizational profitable growth by giving direction to organization´s product strategy and will host and represent the holding across supplier meetings, international association gatherings and conferences.

Candidate profile

Background and Experience

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in business, supply chain management, or related field. An MBA is considered a plus.
• 15+ years of work experience, a progressive career and experience at senior level.
• 10+ years of work experience in supplier relationship management, managing (supplier) frameworks, contract negotiation, bonus agreement, development and/or evaluation.
• Track record working in B2B large-scale distribution. Experience in plastics industry is considered a plus. 
• Experienced in strategy setting and implementation at holding and local level, with a track record in successfully leveraging commercial / business development opportunities.
• Has experience in guiding and influencing large multi-cultural teams and aligning processes.
• International work experience, working with cross-cultural internal and external stakeholders. 
• Fluency in English. Additional languages are highly preferred. 

Personal Skills

• Great helicopter view, combined with a pragmatic mindset. Ability of driving supplier relations at holding level while overseeing at local level.
• Strategic view. Develops a vision and gives direction on which market opportunities to pursue and translates that into strategic supplier action plan.
• Sociable. Very engaging, easily builds long-lasting and trusting relationships with suppliers and senior management.
• Impactful. Confident appearance, persuasive communication, great negotiator.
• Supportive and collaborating attitude. Truly interested in understanding the needs and challenges of the local operations and gives support in their development.
• Driven and results-oriented. Delivers results through act of collaboration and empowerment, sets priorities, and makes things happen.
• Hands-on. Does not shy away from daily operations tasks such as organizing meetings and conducting bonus calculations.
• Entrepreneurial mindset. Proactively identifies trends in the market, supplier developments and capitalizes opportunities to drive profitable growth.

Interested?

If you are interested, please apply to the vacancy “VP Supplier Relations (22061)” via the link below. Please submit your CV in English and Word format, and application letter if desired. A brief phone interview, online assessment(s), face-to-face (or video) interviews with Kienbaum and our client as well as reference and diploma checks may also be part of the procedure.

For questions about the responsibilities and the profile, please contact Antonia Dieg at +31 20 697 14 10.