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Global Category Manager - Packaging Materials

Requisition ID:  14588
Location: 

Zug, CH, 6300

Pay Type: 

Holcim is the leading partner for sustainable construction, creating value across the built environment from infrastructure and industry to buildings.

Headquartered in Zug, Switzerland, Holcim has more than 48,000 employees in 45 attractive markets – across Europe, Latin America, Asia, Middle East & Africa.

Holcim offers high-value end-to-end Building Materials and Building Solutions, from foundations and flooring to roofing and walling – powered by premium brands including ECOPlanet, ECOPact, and ECOCycle®. Find out more at www.holcim.com

WHO IS HOLCIM?
As a global leader in innovative and sustainable building solutions, Holcim is enabling greener cities, smarter infrastructure and improving living standards around the world. With sustainability at the core of our strategy, we are becoming a net-zero company, with our people and communities at the heart of our success. We are driving circular construction as a world leader in recycling to build more with less. It’s all thanks to our 70,000 talented people around the world who are passionate about building progress for people and the planet through four business segments: Cement, Ready-Mix Concrete, Aggregates and Solutions & Products.

WHO ARE HOLCIM PEOPLE
Holcim people are passionate about finding better ways to build. They embrace innovation and improvement with a pioneering spirit. They work as trusted partners, creating better solutions and experiences for their customers, communities, and colleagues.

 

SUMMARY OF THE JOB

As Global Category Manager – Packaging Materials, you are responsible for defining and executing procurement strategies across a broad portfolio of primary and secondary packaging materials, including but not limited to paper, plastic, metal, glass, and sustainable alternatives.

You will act as a strategic driver within the company’s decentralized model, aligning local needs with global objectives. The role focuses on unlocking cross-regional synergies, reducing total cost of ownership, ensuring supply continuity, and integrating sustainability and innovation into category strategies.

Your scope includes supplier relationship management, market intelligence, cost control, and risk mitigation across the packaging materials category.

 

MAIN ACTIVITIES / RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Category Strategy Development: Develop and execute mid- to long-term category strategies aligned with the corporate sourcing roadmap, focusing on innovation, cost-efficiency, and sustainability.
  • Supplier Management & Negotiation: Lead global sourcing activities including supplier selection, contract negotiation, and performance management. Leverage cost modeling tools and drive value creation through strategic partnerships.
  • Cross-functional Collaboration: Collaborate with R&D, operations, marketing, and regional procurement teams to translate packaging requirements into sourcing solutions. Promote knowledge sharing and best practice adoption across regions.
  • Risk & Sustainability Management: Identify and mitigate supply chain risks including material volatility, regulatory changes, and geopolitical disruptions. Align sourcing practices with ESG goals, including circular economy and low-carbon packaging.
  • Market Intelligence & Benchmarking: Analyze market trends, emerging technologies, and pricing indices to anticipate shifts and deliver proactive sourcing strategies. Benchmark supplier capabilities to maintain competitive advantage.

 

JOB DIMENSIONS

Key interfaces, stakeholders and relationships:
- R&D
- Marketing
- Regional/Local Procurement
- Operations
- Supply Chain
- Sustainability Teams

 

PROFILE REQUIRED

  • Bachelor’s degree or Diploma in Procurement, Engineering, Supply Chain, or Business Administration.
  • 5+ years of experience in global sourcing or category management with a strong focus on packaging materials. Experience in FMCG, manufacturing, or industrial sectors is preferred. Proven track record in managing global suppliers and cross-functional projects.
  • Basic understanding of packaging materials, specifications, and supply markets
  • Familiarity with packaging sustainability initiatives and regulatory compliance
  • Strong procurement analytics and cost modeling capability

Behavioural competencies:

  • Strategic thinker with tactical execution skills
  • Innovation and sustainability-oriented
  • Results-driven with a proactive, solution-oriented approach
  •  Strong commercial and negotiation acumen
  •  Ability to manage complexity and deliver under pressure

Leadership and managerial abilities:

  • Ability to influence and align stakeholders at various organizational levels
  • Strong communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills

Language skills:

  • Fluent in English; German and/or French is a strong plus

Mobility requirements:

  • Willingness to travel internationally up to 50%

Do you want to work in an international and dynamic working environment with attractive benefits? We are looking for colleagues to join our team to build progress for people and the planet.

Please submit your CV, a motivation letter and relevant documents with information on the career portal. No agencies can be considered.

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