Description de posteCategory Manager – Maintenance & Services with FrenchLocation: Paris, FranceIndustry: Manufacturing / CPG / FMCGRole OverviewThe MRO Category Lead will bring deep subject matter expertise and is seen as thought leader in the Category Management of the MRO Category. This individual will have the capability to conceive, initiate, develop, communicate, and manage the execution of an MRO category strategy in the FMCG/CPG/Manufacturing domain. They will need to demonstrate and display history of development and implementation of an MRO Category Strategy with multiple strategic initiative delivering quantifiable benefits. Additionally, the MRO Category Lead will have extensive experience in business stakeholder engagement and a consultative approach to drive transformation of the MRO category in a client environment. Key Responsibilities:Strategic Leadership & Governance Set overarching category and sourcing strategy for the engagement, ensuring alignment between strategy and delivery Lead, direct, and develop regional delivery team (category managers, sourcing specialists, buyers), setting priorities and removing blockersEstablish governance cadences, escalation paths, and steering forums to keep engagement on track and stakeholders alignedCategory Strategy & Spend ManagementDevelop and execute category strategies for MRO aligned with business and operational goalsDrive category plan alignment across the regions ensuring seamless integration of category-led, proactive-regional, local or reactive (eg contract renewals) eventsManage end-to-end category lifecycle, including spend analysis, and total cost of ownership (TCO) optimization, working in close proximity with the client and cooperation with the CAPEX category managerIdentify opportunities for consolidation, standardization, and preferred supplier programs across sitesNegotiate commercial terms, pricing models, service levels (SLAs), and master service agreements (MSAs)Help regional buyers drive sourcing projectsDrive continuous improvement, cost reduction, and cost avoidance initiatives with services suppliersStakeholder CollaborationServe as the senior point of contact and strategic business partner to the client, building trust and managing expectations at leadership levelRepresent delivery status, risks, and value creation to client executives and internal leadershipFinancial & Value DeliveryDeliver and report annual cost savings, cost avoidance, and value creation metricsLeverage should-cost models, rate benchmarking, and market analyticsQualificationsApproximately 8-10 years’ experience in handling category management activities in the MRO spaceBusiness or Engineering school graduate is a must, dual degree is a plus Professional certification (CPSM, CPSD, CIPS, PMP) preferredExposure in drafting category strategy, sourcing planning, business case creation, sourcing execution and contract closureGood client facing & client management skillsDemonstrated experience with maintenance and services procurement in multiple geographiesExperience working with global, regional and local suppliers at different levels, within multiple geographiesVery good communication skills Soft Skills & CompetenciesStrong customer‑centric mindset (client‑facing experience preferred), creating proximityTransformation mindset with ability to identify improvement opportunitiesHighly organized, proactive, and goal‑orientedHigh integrity, attention to detail, and strong prioritization skills