Sourcing Category Manager

Mission IBA is strengthening its Purchasing organization and is looking for a Sourcing Category Manager with strong experience in strategic sourcing and project-based procurement. You will define and execute the category strategy and sourcing roadmap for third-party equipment and solutions, ensuring cost optimization, supply continuity and successful project execution. Working closely with Engineering, Project Management and Operations, you will translate the long-term category strategy into sourcing solutions adapted to each project's technical, cost, timeline and risk constraints. You will select suppliers and solutions for equipment such as hot cells, conveyors, hardware and other third-party industrial systems, defining the scope of supply, deliverables, delivery schedule and installation requirements. As you may have noticed, there are several vacancies in the field of sourcing. Please could you apply only for roles that match your experience, based on the categories listed ? Challenges we trust you with
• Define and implement the category and sourcing strategy.
• Work within cross-functional project teams involving Engineering, Project Management and Operations.
• Build project-specific sourcing strategies considering cost, technical requirements, deadlines and risks.
• Balance long-term category strategy with individual project needs.
• Lead supplier selection, sourcing activities and negotiations.
• Select the most suitable solutions from suppliers' existing portfolios.
• Negotiate scope, pricing, deliverables, delivery and installation requirements.
• Ensure supplier commitments are aligned with the project schedule.
• Build strong supplier partnerships to improve performance, innovation and cost efficiency.
• Lead and develop a team of sourcing professionals. What we value
• Master’s degree in Business, Engineering, Supply Chain, or related field.
• Minimum 10 years of experience in procurement, strategic sourcing, or category management in an industrial company
• At least 3 years in team leadership or people management.
• Proven experience in project or third-parties procurement or project-based sourcing environments
• Experience working in cross-functional project teams (Engineering, Project Management, Operations, etc.)
• Experience building sourcing strategies around cost, deadlines, technical requirements and project risks.
• Ability to combine category management with project-specific sourcing needs.
• Strong experience in supplier selection and negotiation for industrial equipment or solutions.
• Fluent in English; professional conversational French.
• Experience with procurement systems, ideally SAP MM. Offer
• The opportunity to define and lead the strategy for one of IBA’s key procurement categories.
• A high-impact role in a global, innovative, and mission-driven environment.
• Competitive compensation and benefits package.
• A chance to contribute to IBA’s mission of protecting, improving, and saving lives through technology. The job will be based in Louvain-La-Neuve. Compensation “The total guaranteed annual compensation range (which includes annual base salary, as well as flexible budget if applicable) for this position is provided below: Total gross guaranteed annual compensation range: 83200-126300€ The salary range indicated above is provided in compliance with applicable pay transparency requirements and reflects the typical compensation scope for this position based on the role's level of responsibility, required expertise, and location. The actual offer will be determined on an individual basis, taking into account objective and gender-neutral factors including relevant professional experience, qualifications, specific competencies, and internal equity. The range does not constitute a guaranteed salary and is subject to adjustment based on the final assessment of the selected candidate's profile. The role might also qualify for additional compensation elements such as variable pay, profit sharing, and benefits which are not reflected in this range.”